Editor, Ceres Courier,

The recent article about the death of a Stanislaus County resident from West Nile Virus is very telling. Only 20 percent of those infected will develop symptoms. Less than 1 percent will develop neurologic symptoms and 10 percent of those will die. Coupled with the fact that those in high risk groups (very young and old and chronically ill) are dramatically more at risk, chances are quite good that one won't die of West Nile Virus.

Far more likely to kill you is opiod medication. According to the National Safety Council, 98 percent of doctors report prescribing opiods for longer than the three days recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Twenty-three percent report prescribing 30 days worth at a time - long enough to cause addiction. More than 1,000 people per day are treated in emergency rooms and 91 people die from opiod overdose every day. The CDC reports a 72 percent increase in opiod deaths between 2014 and 2015.

Research shows that opiods are possibly less effective than over-the-counter medications (ibuprofen and acetaminophen). Research also shows chiropractic care to be five times more effective than medication at pain relief with absolutely no side effects.

Dr. Dave Dubyak,
Turlock