I am not a doctor, first off. I’m a chemist with a pre-medicine degree & a keen interest in microbiology. Here are some novel ideas to bolster your immunity using knowledge of what we know about the virus so far.
As Justin Ross, PsyD of UCHealth in Stapleton, Colorado puts it, the Coronavirus pandemic is the perfect trifecta of things to cause anxiety & panic en masse because the virus A) represents loss of control B) fear and threat of losing those we love and value C) not being able to predict what is going to happen next.
Meds to avoid!
If you suspect that you are infected with Coronavirus, don’t take NSAIDS. My sources from France say that there are a good number of people under 50 hospitalized with Coronavirus, unlike we were lead to believe. One commonality the doctors in the ICU are finding is that all of these >50 years old patients took NSAIDs to relieve their early symptoms. Take Tylenol instead!
the way to clear lungs
Coronavirus sufferers describe the fluid on the lungs in such a way that is likens to drowning. It’s good to have bronchiodilators on hand, such as albuterol inhalers. If you aren’t prescribed those, you can always get an OTC bronchiodilator such as Primatene Mist. In that same vein, I recommend getting ahold of the usual Nyquil type cough syrup variety - but the most important syrup besides albuterol you should get is Pseudoephedrine, the kind you have to ask that kept behind the counter.
Go where the people AREN’T
Do your social distancing in nature! For me, that’s beach-combing (I’ve found some of the BEST sand dollar of my life this week!) but my neighbors went camping. At the very least, hit the forgotten trailheads for a refreshing hike.
stick to the facts
Know the symptoms so you don’t trip youself if you get a runny nose (NOT a COVID-19 symptom, for example. )Take your temperature however limit yourself to 3 readings a day. Don’t drive yourself crazy
ways to keep calm
Being stressed, anxiety spiraling, feeiing stuck inside and reading doomsday articles and contagion news is not going to help your immune system! Take this time to organize your closet or some junk drawers and really savor the time off of work. There’s even a website/app that made just to calm your coronavirus anxiety with lots of fun games and puzzles to distract you.My friend who works at Michael’s arts and crafts store said people were stocking up projects to keep them busy during the quarantine.
If all else fails
You can always listen to meditation music on Youtube as well. Engage your senses: Spray perfume or light a candle or put some essential oils on a tissue to redirect your brain. If your anxiety really starts to spiral, sink on the sink or edge of the tub and dunk your feet in hot water and put an icy cold towel on your neck to bring you back down. If you are still having panicky feelings, you may take a Bendryl or magnesium pill if you are in need of anxiolytics.Of course, you want to steer clear of hospitals and urgent care at all cost - but you can always call the crisis line. My city has a mental health Urgent Care just dedicated to mental health. You can also use telehealth as Better Help and Talkspace for mental health and DoctoronDemand for physical symptoms. My friend gets her psychiatic medicine from a specialist on the app long lines at mental health providers are stopping you.
Just a hunch
Lupus sufferer who take a kind of anti-malarial drug called Chloroquinine seem to immune to the virus, early reseach tells us. I’m wondering if this is a close enough chemical cousin to quinine, a bitterant that gives tonic water its flavor, could have a similar protective effect? It’s worth a try, right? You can head to your neighborhood mom and pop liquor store (shop small) or you can order capsules online - but BEWARE of the side effects before you ingest! Seriously be very conservative with the dosing and follow the directions.
Immunity Boosters to swear by
What’s weird is I don’t see anyone hoarding the precious remedies that are sure to boost the immunity system. These are the ones I swear by:
Zinc lozenges
Vitamin C tablets
Ginger (from sushi nights)
Garlic
Probiotics (Yogurt drinks and kombucha every day)
Things I’m not as familar with but my nurse friends endorses:
Elderberry lozenges or syrup
Oil of Oregano
Nasal washing
Colloidal silver throat gargle
