5 NATURAL WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM A VIRUS

As panic over the Coronavirus escalates all over the world, we all feel vulnerable, scared and confused. Questions and opinions abound online and everywhere else, as we face the fact that this virus is definitely not just another flu, and there’s no available vaccine yet. My whole family lives in my native Italy, including my aging parents (my dad is turning 82 and my mom 80). It’s a highly stressful situation for many of us, so I hope you’ll understand that this post is meant to offer an empowering ray of hope. Without minimizing the severity of the impact Covid19 has been having on all of us, let’s also not forget that it is a virus and, as such, there are ways we can protect ourselves and our families.

KNOW THY ENEMY: WHAT IS A VIRUS?

Before understanding how we can prevent a virus, or at least minimize the effects it can have on our health, it’s important to understand what a virus is… and also what it is not.

A virus is NOT a living thing. You read that right: it is not made of cells, and it does not grow or make energy. It’s like an undead form of not-quite-life looking for a host that will allow it to replicate, propagate, and decimate. In my head, I picture it as a cross between a zombie and a parasite. That means that a virus cannot be killed by antibiotics like bacteria. It also means that it cannot be killed by antibacterial gels or sprays because, again, it is not a bacterium. The way we get rid of it is either through our immune system (as we say, a virus has to run its course) or with the help of anti-viral drugs, which are developed for severe viral infections. A virus IS an infectious agent that replicates in the cells of a living host. Or as the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI) puts it: “A virus is a small parasite that cannot reproduce by itself. Once it infects a susceptible cell, however, a virus can direct the cell machinery to produce more viruses.” Pretty much like a xerox machine. But if it’s not made of cells, then what is it made of? A virus is made of genetic material (RNA or DNA), protein and lipids (fats). A virus can mutate and evolve, which is why we keep encountering different strains and have to adjust vaccines and therapies to be able to counter new viral diseases. On the upside, our immune system is blessed with good memory; sometimes, after contracting and eliminating a specific virus, we become immune to it. Other times, the virus goes into remission and becomes dormant in our cells, like the infamous EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) for example. In the latter case, the virus can be re-activated by certain triggers (especially stress) at any given time.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM A VIRUS?

Now we know a few things about our enemy and can strategize against its ability to invade, multiply, and thrive inside our bodies. Ideally, we can avoid viruses altogether, especially novel ones like Coronavirus. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has released thorough guidelines to help us stay clear of this dangerous virus. Those guidelines include:

Washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. An alcohol-based sanitizer can work in the absence of soap and water. However, nothing beats soap and water because a virus is this mass of genetic material, protein, and lipids (fats). When soap and water break through the fatty membrane, the virus falls apart and becomes inactive.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
If you have any symptoms, stay home.
Cough into your elbow or shoulder. Sneeze into a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The above guidelines are a great starting point to protect ourselves on the outside, and they should be observed at all times, not just during pandemics. But there are more ways we can protect ourselves from a virus starting from the inside.