Question-Meningitis and Strep

[julieann199930]

College stidents they are pressured to get the meningitis vaccine because of increase risk of getting the disease when living on college campuses. Yet, if we all carry these bacteria in our bodies already how is it possible that the disease could spread and be infectious.

Same with Strep. We all have strep in our throats, at all times. So why do people say you are contagious if you are sick with strep? If my immune system is stressed and I "get" strep, how can I pass it to others if they have it in their throats already?

I'm asking for someone else. I think the answer is because those who haven't been exposed to it, would get it or if you never build an immunity to it, you'd get it repeatedly, like some other vaxed for virus/diseases you can get more than once right?

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by julieann199930

College stidents they are pressured to get the meningitis vaccine because of increase risk of getting the disease when living on college campuses. Yet, if we all carry these bacteria in our bodies already how is it possible that the disease could spread and be infectious.

Obviously 'we' don't understand everything about germs and the role they play in our bodies. Although some people believe that the germ does not cause disease but is our natural janitor to whatever made us sick. But because 'we' find a particular germ at the infection site we accuse it of doing the harm. Therefore we attack it.

Sort of like if there are a lot of fire fighters at an inferno, they must have been the cause. Therefore let's get rid of the fire fighters.

Personally I don't know. We need germs. They are a part of us. Without them we could not exist. We could not digest our food. We could not die. We have a symbiotic relationship with germs.

Same with Strep. We all have strep in our throats, at all times. So why do people say you are contagious if you are sick with strep?

Because when we show symptoms of severe sore throat, etc., that is the germ most closest to the infection site. (????)

If my immune system is stressed and I "get" strep, how can I pass it to others if they have it in their throats already?

Perhaps we pass on something else and again, strep which is in their throat by default, looks like the culprit?

I think the answer is because those who haven't been exposed to it, would get it

Could be. But why would it make that person sick? Especially if it is a part of human nature to carry that germ with us?

...or if you never build an immunity to it, you'd get it repeatedly,

There is another question, what exactly IS immunity? Some say it is antibodies in the blood. But why do some people lack antibodies and are not vulnerable to disease and others have antibodies to a specific disease and yet come down with it?

Here is something you might enjoy: Germs - The Mistaken Enemy

Not saying I do or don't believe this theory but I am open to challenging the germ paradigm.