For many months newspaper headlines have been fraught with reports of deadly and menacing viruses, including West Nile Virus and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Upon discovery of a virus, the war to annihilate it begins. Scientists race to protect us with drug treatments and new vaccines. Sometimes effective therapies are developed, but viruses are very adaptable, often mutating to ensure survival, thus making it difficult to totally eradicate them. HIV and AIDS were once headline viruses, and after decades of dashed hopes to cure those afflicted and produce an effective vaccine, we rarely read about AIDS. We have learned to live with many viruses, knowing they will take their human toll but leave most of the masses untouched.

Many "common" viruses, including herpes and human papilloma virus (HPV), are not given enough respect. Most think herpes, the virus that causes cold sores, and HPV, the virus that causes warts, are basically benign. Yet both these “common” viruses have been implicated in the development of certain cancers. But what causes one person to succumb to a viral infection in the first place? And why do only some people who contract these viruses develop certain cancers? Why can one person be exposed to a virus and remain disease-free, while another suffers a virus’ wrath?

Our immune system is the key. People with healthy immune systems have a better chance of fighting viral infections. Small lifestyle actions can protect us as well. Washing our hands several times a day is one of the most powerful virus fighters; not touching our fingers to our nose, eyes and mouth is another. Simply drinking eight to 10 glasses of water per day will ensure that the fluids around your eyes, nose and mouth stay well hydrated; these fluids are rich in immune factors that destroy viruses before they have a chance to get into the body and cause disease.

Eating healthy foods and getting enough rest is important. Certain foods are also detrimental to our immune function. One teaspoon of white sugar has been found to shut down the virus-fighting cells of the immune system for several hours, leaving us vulnerable to viral attack. Vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc should be taken daily to supply our immune arsenal. Understanding what makes us susceptible to viral invasion allows us to avoid those factors or support the immune system to prevent infection.

A new study in The Lancet reported that the use of oral contraceptives (the pill) increases risk of developing cervical cancer. The most common cause of cervical cancer is infection with the human papilloma virus. Researchers found that women who had used oral contraceptives for five to nine years and 10 years or more had a 60- and 120-per cent increased risk of developing cervical cancer compared to women who had never used oral contraceptives. They also found that women with HPV had a 90-per-cent increased risk of developing cervical cancer with the use of the pill for only a few years. Taking the pill is a risk factor that may be allowing the right environment for HPV to develop into cervical cancer.

We must protect ourselves by improving the action of our immune system. It may take months or years to develop effective measures to fight new and relentless viruses. Viruses are here to stay and we have this amazing virus-fighting ability right inside our body-the immune system.

Lorna Vanderhaeghe, BSc, is the author of several books, including the best-seller Healthy Immunity: Scientifically Proven Natural Conditions from A-Z (Wiley & Sons, 2001). Her latest book is No More HRT: Menopause Treat the Cause (Quarry Books, 2002). She is also senior editor of alive’s Encyclopedia of Natural Healing (2002) and associate editor of alive.