COVID-19 IMMUNITY

 How to enhance immunity to cope up with COVID-19 infection.
Ashfaq Ahmad Shah* Research scholar (Department of Infection and Immunity, Graphic era university). 
*Email: ashfaqfazal1935@gmail.com

ASHFAQ AHMAD SHAH
MICROBIOLOGIST

The novel coronavirus is newly emergent in the human population because of antigenic variation. Therefore, the general population is prone to its attack because they lack immunity against it. SARS-CoV-2 can infect individuals with normal or compromised immunity. The quantity of exposure to the virus also defines whether you get infected or not. If one is exposed to a large number of virions, the person may get sick even if his/her immune function is normal. For people with poor immunity, such as the elderly, pregnant women or people with liver or kidney dysfunction, the disease progresses relatively quickly and the symptoms are more severe.
The main factor defining whether one gets infected or not is the chance of exposure. So, we can’t say that better immunity will lower one’s risk of being infected. Thus, It is the immune status of an individual that defines the severity of the infection. if your benign immune system is compromised you are at greater risk of developing an infection of SARS-CoV-2 and that too may prove fatal .so the need of the hour is to boost the immunity by incorporating in diet, the immune boosters. Following things play a great role in rejuvenating the overall immunity:

 Performing Cardio exercises for 1-2 hours per day. 
 Intake of 3-5 liters of water daily. 
 Intake of vitamin C (up to 500mg/day) and zinc supplements or fruits/vegetables that contain them.
 Intake of NAC and glutathione supplements with vitamin C and E.
  Incorporation of edibles like garlic, ginger, spinach, almonds, turmeric milk, green tea, kiwi fruit, sunflower seeds, coconut oil, pomegranate juice, and all other fresh fruits and vegetables in daily diet.
  Taking good sleep and reducing mental stress to zero.
  Avoiding tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. 
 Taking sunshine enhances vitamin D in the body, which plays a key role in immune health.
  Intake of poultry and lean meat (cooked well) increases the overall production of white blood cells and T-cells, which fight infection at the earliest.
  Reducing the daily intake of sugar (too much sugar curbs immune system cells).
  Avoiding the use of corticosteroids (corticosteroids like dexamethasone, trade name ‘Dexona’ are nowadays commonly taken by young boys and girls for weight gain). Such agents suppress immune responses greatly. 
 Always using Lukewarm water, hot drinks (coffee, tea) and avoiding cold drinks and ice-creams.