Immune system building ideas???

[DragonTamer]

I was wondering... I have been reading alot about vaccinations (Globelyne??) (sp) to build up our immune systems before tx. Though I believe this particular vaccine could still be in the study stage. But does anyone have any other immune buliding tips, aside from the obvious, take your Vitamins, work out, take  especially C, E antioxidants etc...

The only reason I am concerned is I am a teacher and will be going on my 3rd month of tx when I go back to school in Sept.  As any teacher, and most of you probably know, schools are breeding grounds for every little virus and bacteria known to man that kids are infested with!  We had a colleauge with Leukemia recently and she was told by her doctor not to go back to school, it was just too risky for her health,  because of the virus/infections she could get from the kids.

Any experience/ ideas/ suggestions on this.   Financially I simply can't not work...I only have a few sick days...and I am worried about job security, if I have to miss so many days. I only have to do the tx for 6 months... God willing!
So I am hoping I can hang in there....but if there is something I can take or do to make my defense system stronger when I go back to school I want to do it!  I used to take Astragulus and I know there are Japanese mushrooms Mataki ,Shitaki ad infinitum when it comes to herbal remedies for immune building, from healthier nails to terminal cancer! One must be prudent about them all and remember the old adage  "Harm None".  
I don't want to go over board and give myself Lupus on top of Hep c because I have O.D on Immune builders!  The Key is balance.   My doc is not such a big help in this area. He is the "just take your drugs, drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest" kind of guy. Which is true...
But with going back to work with the kids I just want to be a bit more prepared.

Thanks for your insight!
Hope you are all having a peaceful weekend.
Dragon Tamer

[sldb]

Hep reccommends vitc and e. Be careful with supplements, sometimes they can do more harm than good.

[CanaryParker]

And anyone else...tea tree oil is not to be taken internally.
That is stated on the bottles...for topical use only.

For me..while on treatment, I didn't catch any colds, flus that were epidemic around here.
I have remained that way because it seems the immune system has stayed revved up, which isn't really a good thing. The body is attacking itself.

[dharmaqueen]

just a note about the oils. this is not a comprehensive side effect list but... oregano oil can be very drying. and tea tree oil can be that and caustic too, and i suspected a reaction i had to that once may have hurt my liver. these are really powerful oils. caution as always, though i'm sure you all know that.

[GSDgirl]

I noticed that while on tx I did not get my regular winter bugs even with 2 grandkids.  I always used the clorox wipes at the grocery store that they provide to wipe the handle grips on the carts.  I also had / have wipes in my car for my hands.  I think the interferon is boosting the immune systen (someone correct me if wrong).

Natural antibiotics / antivirals are oilve leaf extract, oil of oregano, tea tree oil.  I used these things on one of my dogs that had a very bad immune system.  I REALLY DON'T KNOW if you can take any of this while on tx tho.  

I think, eat well, wash your hands often, get enough sleep & try to keep your stress levels down.  I did not take any herbs / alternatives while on tx, was too afraid of messing with the meds.  We worried about the "germs" while on tx but I found that I caught a few "bugs" as soon as tx was over.

Denise

[dharmaqueen]

echinacea works for me with certain infections. i got rid of a knee infection (cellulitis) and an ear infection with it. didn't take the antibiotics. i may have boosted the echinacea with bromelain, though (but bromelain can cause rapid heartbeat in some people, and i've decided by now that i'm allergic to it as i get itchy throat and other symptoms from it, possibly swollen glands too).

however, some can get rashes or headaches, if i'm not mistaken. also, it's very powerful in my opinion so i do worry it can overly boost one's immune system. i guess for me i only take it when i've got an infection i don't want to treat with the antibiotics the doctors have prescribed.

some say coconut oil, too, but i'm not sure what i think of it. it can boost your metabolism overall, supposedly. i'm not stocked up on research for that, though. there are others, but those are off the top of my head.

[DragonTamer]

No ideas at all :(   I am finding all this stuff on the net but what is true and what works and what does no harm...that is the problem...   Oh well....will keep searching...

Hope everyone had a good day.
D.T