Broad spectrum medicines: Our first choice against new diseases

When we face new diseases, such as novel coronavirus disease, we often feel powerless and get panic. Is there any method we might follow to protect ourselves? Our own immune systems provide some wise guidelines.

Our immune systems include innate systems and adaptive systems. When we encounter new pathogens, our immune systems don’t have targeted methods against them. Our body will enlist broad spectrum innate immune systems to fight off the unfamiliar invaders. The heavy bombardments can be brutal, often causing damages to our own cells and tissues as well. But they are the best available weapons.

At the same time, our immune systems will study the new pathogens, with the hope to develop specific antibodies in the future. These antibodies will target those specific pathogens if they invade us again. This method will target and destroy invaders precisely. It will cause little collateral damage to ourselves. This is part of our adaptive immune systems.

In summary, our immune systems consist of two major parts: broad spectrum innate systems and targeted adaptive systems. When we encounter new pathogens, our primitive and broad spectrum innate immune systems will defend ourselves against unfamiliar intruders. We should adopt the same strategy protecting ourselves from unfamiliar new diseases. We should use primitive and broad spectrum medicines defending ourselves against new diseases, until and if more specialized medicines become available. 

What are the broad spectrum medicines we have? Antiseptics kill most germs. They are the true broad spectrum medicines. Among antiseptics, alcohol is the most commonly used. Since ancient times, alcohol based drinks have been used as clean drinks and as medicine. A routine rinse of mouth with hard liquor, such as whisky, probably provide good protection against many new and old pathogens.

Other than alcohol (ethanol), phenol has been used as an antiseptics for more than a hundred years. Phenol based throat spray, such as Chloraseptic, is available without prescription. It is easy to get over the counter, cheap and convenient. In recent years, Dr Li Yuehua has advocated the use of phenol as a broad spectrum medicine for many kinds of illness, including the current novel coronavirus disease. Phenol throat spray may provide good protection against many pathogens. As the toxicity of phenol is high, we should follow the instruction of its use carefully. In particular, we need to spit out the spray. 

With the advance of a new diseases, the medical system may get overwhelmed. The whole society may become panic. At such a time, we should be more self reliant. We should also recognize that the medical systems may not be able to provide more effective service against the new pathogens than the readily available broad spectrum medicines, such as alcohol and phenol. The medical system may market some sophisticated drugs. But until these drugs prove to be effective against new pathogens clinically, we should not have high expectations on them. Our body doesn't have high expectations on our adaptive immune systems when we encounter new pathogens.

Finally, get a lot of sunshine, drink plenty of hot water and be happy. They are the best broad spectrum medicines.

The following are pictures of some of the phenol throat sprays on the market.