Oxidation and "Unconventional” Approaches to Infection

ABSTRACT

Nonpharmacological approaches can be useful to control infectious diseases. Historically infection has been successfully managed with oxidation therapy methods that support the body's own innate defenses. Several modalities include ozone and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ultraviolet blood irradiation (UBI), intravenous hydrogen peroxide, and ascorbate therapies. Oxidation therapies are virtually 100% safe, and repeatedly reported as highly and quickly effective in quelling infection (bacterial and viral) either as stand-alone therapies or adjunctive with drugs. They are directly and indirectly germicidal, and modulate the immune system via pro-oxidant signaling molecules. Oxidation therapies especially enhance oxygen delivery and metabolism, critical for all infection defenses. Ozone has remitted Ebola, COVID-19, and bacterial infections. UBI defeated most preantibiotic era infections in hospitals. Not being drug therapy, the effects of oxidation defenses, used by planetary animal life for millions of years, are not diminished by antibiotic-resistant organisms. Oxidation, depending on delivery method, can be very inexpensive and third world adaptable. This chapter summarizes the use of these key modalities, by exploring known published literature. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.