The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now registered 69,171 cases of Covid-19, with 1,050 deaths reported so far. The outbreak first started in Washington, but new cases of infections are being reported from all over the country, with thousands of people testing positive for Covid-19 everyday (which btw, stands for Corona Virus Disease 2019).
Fatalities are low, because only about 2 percent of infected people show severe symptoms and risk of death – and many of them are older citizens and individuals with heart disease, diabetes, or pre-existing respiratory diseases. However, health experts do recommend that everybody take precautions to prevent the spreading of Covid-19. Read on to learn how to stay safe and boost your immune system against Covid-19:
Symptoms of Coronavirus
People may carry the virus for 1 to 14 days before symptoms appear; and during this time, transmission can occur. Generally, the most common symptom of Coronavirus disease is coughing; however, many persons are likely to develop fever and tiredness. At least 80 percent of infected people will recover with no special treatment, after having experienced what feels like the common cold.
Quite rarely, the disease causes severe symptoms, and can be fatal. Older people may be more severely affected, as well as people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or other kinds of lifelong disease that cause weakness and low immunity.
The symptoms are:
- Cough
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
How to Protect Yourself from the Coronavirus
There currently isn't any vaccine to cure or prevent infection, and so the best way to prevent Coronavirus disease is to avoid going to places that may be crowded. The disease itself is believed to spread from person to person when people come into close contact with each other (within 6 feet); during which time it spreads through infected droplets from coughing and sneezing. When these droplets are left on an open surface, they may be infectious for a period of time, which is why the World Health Organization recommends hand washing as a way to prevent the disease from spreading. Here is how to protect yourself:
- Clean Your Hands Often
Wash your hands thoroughly especially after having been to public places, or after blowing your nose. When coughing or sneezing, use a handkerchief to cover your face, and when possible, wash your hand after. If soap and water are not available, the other option is to use a hand sanitizer.
According to the CDC, the most effective hand sanitizers are ones that have a high concentration of alcohol. Check for products with at least 60 percent alcohol and allow the sanitizer time to dry on your hands. Also try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid Close Contact
Avoid coming in close contact with people to keep the risk of infection low. A major challenge with Covid-19 is that people are carrying the virus for days without knowing it and are spreading it to people they live with or share personal items with. Therefore, put a distance of about 6 feet between yourself and other people, except maybe for people that live in your house.
- Stay Home If Sick
Don't leave home if you have symptoms of Coronavirus, or if you are feeling sick, except to go to the doctor’s. If symptoms are severe, call the emergency services and have everyone that has come in contact with you go into self-quarantine. Open the windows at home to get in fresh air, and possibly a little sunlight.
- Wear a Mask to Prevent Spreading Infection
There are two reasons you may need a facemask when going out: to prevent you getting sick, and to prevent spreading the disease if you are already sick. A facemask should be worn when interacting with other people, when sharing a vehicle, and when going to a hospital or other place with high number of infected people.
For people who are not sick, you don't need to wear one unless when taking care of a sick person (who is also unable to wear a facemask).
- Clean and Disinfect
Take note of all the frequently touched surfaces in your home and clean them every day, or many times a day, if needed. The most important areas are tables, desks, switches, keyboards, doorknobs, faucets, sinks, and phones. Use water and detergent soap and add a disinfectant to kill germs. Other options for a disinfectant are diluted household bleach, and alcohol-based solutions.
Can CBD Cure Coronavirus?
There is quite a bit of misinformation going on about Coronavirus and the many possible treatments, but the truth is that we don't have a cure for the disease as of yet. However, health experts have suggested that people find ways to strengthen the immune system to prevent catching infections during the flu season, and also perhaps to reduce the impact of Coronavirus if infected. CBD is a cannabis extract, which like a few other cannabinoids, has many therapeutic effects, but it does not work as a cure for viral infections, much less Coronavirus.
What Does CBD Do for the Immune Response
Cannabidiol (CBD) has anti-inflammatory properties which may influence the way the immune system uses inflammation in healing. But apart from reducing inflammation, CBD also prevents rapid cellular growth, or proliferation. CBD is also known to modulate the secretion of cytokines, which is a type of protein that works in the immune system.
So therefore, the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD are well established, but its antiviral effects are not fully explored. For individuals that already have symptoms of a cold or flu, CBD cannot cure the viral infection; however, it may be useful in alleviating the symptoms, which range from nasal irritation, inflammation, headaches, pains, and fever.
Benefit of Using CBD for Coronavirus?
As mentioned, CBD may reduce some of the symptoms of cold and flu; and as such, it may also be useful for Coronavirus, which in many cases presents the same symptoms. The main benefits are:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relieving properties
- Reduce irritation in the nasal passageway
- Improve sleep
- Reduce headaches
- Release feel good hormones
- Improve focus
- Raise energy levels
Speak to your doctor about using CBD, especially if you are taking other medication or are pregnant.
Disclaimer: Content from the ConsciousLifeNews.com website and blog is not intended to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information provided on this website is intended for general consumer understanding, and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. As health and nutrition research continuously evolves, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information presented on this website.
