The human body is endowed with several layers of immunity; which can be weakened by wrong eating habits, stress and lack of hygiene. Any new form of a pathogen from alien ecosystems can endanger our lives and turn into a Pandemic and one such incident is an outbreak of Coronavirus.
More than 14,000 cases of Coronavirus were reported in the world and three positive cases have been confirmed in the state of Kerala, India since its outbreak in January 2020. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India issued a statement- "Travel Advisory further revised informing the public to refrain from travel to China and that anyone with travel history in China since January 15, 2020, and from now on could be quarantined".
The latest issue of famous publication begins “with no sign that an outbreak of a new coronavirus is abating, virologists worldwide are itching to get their hands on physical samples of the virus. They are drawing up plans to test drugs and vaccines, develop animal models of the infection and investigate questions about the biology of the virus such as how it spreads”. It is not too late before we get vaccines or drugs but we need provisional solutions until we believe we are safe.
What is Coronavirus?
Respiratory system in humans can host hundreds of different types of viruses that can create influenza, common cold and similar diseases. Coronaviruses belong to a new category of viruses that jumped from animals to humans several decades ago. There are four categories of Coronaviruses and three of them can infect humans. This phenomenon is not new.
Outbreak of Coronavirus
Cases of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), first appeared in 2002-03 in China, and the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) a decade later was in fact caused by the Coronavirus. These two global epidemics have killed hundreds of people. This time the Coronavirus apparently originated from Wuhan meat market and causing international alarm.
Symptoms
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Chills
Chest pain
Body ache
Sore throat
Malaise (feeling of being unwell)
Headache
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Vomiting
Serious complications include
Organ failure
Pneumonia
How to prevent from Coronavirus?
Wash hands frequently with soap
Avoid undercooked meat or food prepared under unhygienic conditions
Fruits and vegetables should be properly washed
Minimized closed contact with others, no handshakes!
Use masks like N95 to protect from virus entering our nose
Use goggles to prevent virus from entering the body as it enters through eyes also.
In public places clean the doorknobs, buttons etc with alcohol-containing cleanser every hour.
Drink more water
Who are vulnerable?
Diabetics, patients with chronic lung diseases and heart conditions
Elderly people
Children
Those undergone organ transplant and receiving immune-suppressive medications
Cancer patients under treatment
Treatment is given or action taken to prevent a disease
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, has described symptoms of several respiratory infections similar to those caused by the Coronavirus. Ayurveda tries to enhance the immunity against the pathogens, even if the disease is new. Though Ayurveda lacks the knowhow about the viruses, it addresses the problem basing on its empirical knowledge.
Here is a list of recommendations against Coronavirus according to Ayurveda. These are the ways to prevent Coronavirus attack. Several options are given here. Follow one of the described medications to prevent the virus. The precautions described above are important before taking the treatment. For children under the age of 12 half, the dose is enough.
1. Shadanga Paniyam. Dose: 15 ml once a day in the morning before breakfast for 10 to 15 days.
2. Agastya Haritaki Rasayan. Dose: 5 gm twice a day before food for 10-15 days.
3. Haridrakhand: Dose: 5 gm twice a day for 10-15 days before or after food.
Kaphaketu ras: Dose: 200 gm once a day for 10-15 days.
The churnas should be consumed either with warm water or can be mixed with honey.
4. Trikatu churna 25 gm + Guduchi satva 5gm + Yashtimadhu churna 25gm
Mix thoroughly and take two to three grams along with warm water or honey before breakfast for 10-15 days
Corona Virus is the new global pandemic which is spreading fast across the world, and India has already witnessed three cases within a short span of fifteen days only. As prevention is better than cure, people who are travelling from China to India come across any symptoms of cold and fever should immediately see a General Physician on a priority basis. The key to fight this disease is to maintain hygiene, drink boiled water and eat freshly cooked food.
Also Read: Coronavirus: High alert in four Karnataka districts bordering Kerala
