THE world, humankind, is safer because we have vaccines against fatal infectious diseases. The Black Death, the plague in Europe, between 1347 to 1351, killed between 25-50 million (about half) of the population in Europe because there were no vaccines. This is just like saying we are blessed and safer for having most efficacious antibiotics today. Before antibiotics were discovered, people died even from the simplest infection.
Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin in 1928 while working at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Before that, 50 percent of all post-birth deaths and from burns were caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, and 80 percent of infectious wounds caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Tuberculosis and pneumonia were very popular killers during the pre-antibiotic era. Indeed, like vaccines, antibiotics, especially today, with all the sophisticated versions, are lifesavers.
People around the world have accepted antibiotics as a blessing, in spite of the fact that occasionally a shot of penicillin could cause death from a violent allergic reaction. Individuals could be super-sensitive to other dugs also.
Somehow people look at vaccines differently. Vaccine hesitancy is dangerous and more common than we think. And this mindset has maimed and killed millions. Most of this comes from misinformation, disinformation, and fake news from the social media.
The existential question should always be: Which is more dangerous, the infection or the vaccines? Which of the two is a greater threat to health and life? What are the statistics? How many percent of unvaccinated people died from infectious diseases, like smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Ebola, HIV, Flu, RSV, or COVID-19, and how many died from the vaccines for those grave diseases? Why did governments around the world mandate pre-school vaccinations for children since the 19th century? To save lives. A no-brainer!
In the case of COVID-19, for instance, the risk of getting adverse reaction from the vaccines, much less dying from them, is a fraction of one percent, while the risk of dying from COVID-19, especially during the first year of the pandemic, was as high as 25-30 percent for adults.
In dealing with our health and well-being, it is best to do it scientifically, since the advances in science, medicine, technology, engineering, various other fields, and now, artificial intelligence, have attained sophisticated heights by leaps and bounds.
As a cardiac surgeon, I often encountered patients with extreme fear of surgery, especially of open-heart procedures in general. To make them see the scientific reality of their situation, I always explain to them that when the finding is severe blockage of the left main coronary artery, or its equivalent lesion (2 arteries for the left ventricles are blocked), the risk of death within a year is at least 50 percent. One foot in the grave! This lesion is infamously called “the widow-maker,” a serious killer of men, leaving widows behind.
Then, I compared the statistics of 50 percent risk of the disease to the risk of death from coronary bypass surgery today, which is 1-2 percent. That is a staggering difference of 48 to 49 percent safer to have surgery than not having it. The medical statistics usually make them understand their situation more clearly, feel reassured, and make their decision more rational and realistic.
And we must apply the same scientific approach in making decisions about vaccines or other modes of treatment for our ailments. All these therapies we have today are heaven-sent blessings. Let us take full advantage of them. Not using them is a great waste and a grave threat to our life.
As of September 17, 2024, “the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) Omicron variants KP.2, KP 2.3, KP.3, and KP 3.1.1, as well as LB.1, have high prevalence in the United States.”
The CDC recommends those 6 months and older to have the new 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines. In the Philippines, the public is advised to have the new COVID-19 vaccines.
The take-away: The risk of death from a serious infectious disease without the vaccines is much higher than the risk of dying from the vaccines. Vaccines have saved billions of lives around the world the past two centuries.
Grilling and cancer
Grilling meats of any kind, even fish, especially under high heat, increases the cancer risk in people. Cooking at high temperatures makes the meats drip oil on the charcoal. When the oil hits the superhot charcoal, fumes result, and the smoke contains carcinogenic substances that “vaporizes” upwards to the meat. These harmful fumes are absorbed by the meats.
Charring meats under high heat creates heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), both of which change human DNA and cause cancer. Even frying over high heat also has the same carcinogenic effect. Marinating meats and fish (your choice: vinegar, light cooking olive oil, lemon juices, and spices) lowers the HCAs and PAHs, but not totally prevents the risk. Do not eat the charred, blackened, portion of meats.
Besides colorectal cancers and stomach cancers, using high heat for grilling and frying also cause other diseases. Using gas, instead of charcoal, using lower temperatures, and shortening the cooking time appear to lessen the risk for cancers but does not totally eliminate the risk. Boiling is not associated with this phenomenon.
Even without grilling, frying, or cooking, processed meats, like delis, are likewise associated with stomach and colorectal cancers, among other harmful effects on our body. Not only is red meat associated with cancer and cardiovascular diseases, but processed meats in themselves are carcinogenic. Grilling vegetables and fruits do not pose the same problem.
Indoor grilling also contaminates the entire home with the fumes of PAHs and HCAs, and therefore, is not recommended.
Let’s use science and wisdom to protect our health, maximize our potential longevity, and make the world a better place for all too.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: [email protected].
