Covid-19 is a frightening and unpredictable global pandemic. Some people recovered, and some people – fatally destroyed the lungs. We have seen not only the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions succumb to the virus. Is there a possibility for this dire pandemic and a global virus attack in the future – can we do more to protect ourselves? Besides using the KN95 mask, let’s look at immune function.
Our immune system is divided into 2 categories:
Our innate immunity is the immune system we are born with, and functions to prevent foreign threats – bacteria, viruses, toxins …
In our adaptive immunity, the body identifies a threat, and we create antibodies specifically designed for that threat. When the threat is neutralized, and the immune system is adaptive, so hopefully in the future against the same threat it is also neutralized.
We often hear people talk about “strengthening our immune system”. There are a number of supplements that can do just that.
A balanced immune system is what we really need right now. When out of balance, the immune system not only fails to protect us, but can even turn against us, mistaking our own cells for invaders of pathogens (nasty diseases), resulting in chronic debilitating inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, allergies are examples of autoimmune responses.
Now let’s take a look at Covid-19:
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the corona virus. Coronaviruses in humans are common and are usually associated with minor illnesses, similar to the common cold.
According to the Mayo Clinic:
“This virus is called ‘novel’ because it started in an animal population, was transmitted to humans and can now pass from human to human. Our immune system has never seen this particular type of virus before, so we haven’t developed immunity. Probably more contagious than viruses that are present. causes influenza and the common cold because it’s new to humans. Humans have no way of preparing for it, and their immunity isn’t ready to fight it. This causes the virus to cause more cell damage and produce more inflammatory cells. ”
Yes, Covid-19 is new to us. Research shows us
In this pandemic of the coronavirus, more people have died due to their own immune system than by the virus itself. It is an inflammatory response of the immune system that presents great danger.
Research from the University of Melbourne shows us “a strong immune response across different cell types is associated with clinical recovery”. A balanced immune response appears to be key in people who recover.
Doctors and researchers are increasingly convinced that at least in some cases of Covid-19, the immune system overreacts to the virus with a cytokine storm. The immune system has an extreme response that causes more damage than the virus itself. Some doctors now use strong anti-inflammatory drugs to fight the virus.
There are thousands of articles, featuring hundreds of studies on diseases associated with chronic inflammation. It seems that our survival from Covid-19, or our death, is associated as another disease with chronic inflammatory and immune responses.
The research on Covid-19 is very new. The whole world has put off other research, fighting to save lives. There is so much we don’t know, yet we don’t have the luxury of time. We all have to do our best to protect ourselves, and we all have a social responsibility to do our best to prevent the spread of a pandemic.