How to Prevent Coronavirus Infection? | What are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses, a genus of the Coronaviridae, are enveloped single positive-stranded RNA viruses, which have the largest viral genome (26-33kb) among the RNA viruses. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses known for containing strains with potential ability of infecting mammals and birds including bat, mouse, alpacas, swine, dog, cattle, chicken, horse, and also human, etc. and can cause a variety of diseases including gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infection, etc. In humans Coronavirus normally spread via airborne droplets of fluid from infected individuals. SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV) are two examples of a Coronavirus that has also caused infection in human.

Coronavirus gets its name because of the spike protein projections from the envelope shaping the Virus .The spike protein is a multifunctional molecular structure that helps coronavirus entry into host cells. It first binds to a receptor on the host cell surface then fuses viral and host membranes. Different molecular structure of these spike protein from different coronaviruses recognize a variety of host receptors, leading to viral attachment. The spike protein exists in two structurally distinct conformations, prefusion and postfusion.

There are four known genuses in the family, named Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus. The first two only infect mammals, including bats, pigs, cats, and humans. Gammacoronavirus mostly infects birds such as poultry, while Deltacoronavirus can infect both birds and mammals.

Coronaviruses could cause both human and veterinary outbreaks due to their ability to recombine, mutate, and infect multiple species and cell types, jumping between species.

What are the symptoms of a coronavirus?

while SARS-CoV and Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV) are rare types originating from animals, the Human coronavirus (HCoV) is one of the most common causes of respiratory tract infection throughout the world.

Often coronavirus infection is compared with a severe cold, causing mild to moderate upper respiratory problems such as a runny nose and sore throat.

In humans, coronaviruses (HCoV) are proved to cause respiratory tract infection, most frequently common cold, but can also cause severe respiratory illness including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). There are several human coronavirus species have been identified, including OC43, 229E, NL63, HKU1, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E were identified nearly 50 years ago, which mainly cause common cold in humans, and the recently identified NL63 and HKU1 are reported to cause mild respiratory tract infection, and these 4 coronaviruses can also cause severe lower respiratory tract infections in young children or elderly adults with underlying diseases. HCoV-NL63 is also associated with acute laryngotracheitis.

SARS-CoV, initially emerged in 2002–2003 in south China, which caused severe lower respiratory tract infection with high morbidity and mortality (approaching 50% in individuals over 60 years of age) Then in 2012 coronavirus MERS-CoV was at first identified in Saudi Arabia; It is the causative agent in a series of highly pathogenic lower respiratory tract infections with high mortality (20% to 40%), which is mainly epidemic in the Middle East, but also brought an outbreak in South Korea in 2014.

Wuhan coronavirus is a new member of the coronavirus family that has never been encountered before. Like some other coronaviruses, it has come from animals. Many of those infected either worked or frequently shopped in the wholesale market in the centre of the Chinese city, which also sold live and newly slaughter animals.

Wuhan coronavirus causes pneumonia, reported symptoms include cough, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases there can be organ failure. As this is a viral pneumonia, antibiotics are not useful. Recovery will depend on the strength of the immune system. Many of those who have died were already in poor health, or weakened immune system.

Evidently those in poor health and weak immunity are at greatest risk, as is always the case with flu. While some people appear to suffer only mild illness; others are affected severely. This makes it challenging to establish the true number of infected people and the extent of transmission.

Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs with symptoms of cough, trouble breathing, and fever. Pneumonia is caused primarily by infectious organisms. Pathogens can reach the lungs through inhalation. Although the lungs are constantly exposed to microbes, immune defenses usually prevent infection. However, if immune defenses are impaired then pathogens are more likely to establish an infection. The immune system weakens under stress, and with age, a phenomenon known as immune senescence. This leaves older individuals increasingly vulnerable to the bacteria and viruses that cause most cases of pneumonia. People with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, chronic lung disease or heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease are also at increased risk.

Risk of pneumonia increases by the use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and overuse of antibiotics. Proton-pump inhibitors, which are normally prescribed to suppress stomach acidity to relief gastroesophageal reflux also a risk factor for pneumonia because their use is widespread and those who take them may be unaware that they are associated with significantly higher risk of pneumonia.

How to Improve Immunity Against Coronavirus

Clinical studies suggest that probiotics may help reduce incidence of pneumonia and lessen the frequency and duration of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy adults and children. Participants who were given formulas containing multiple strains of Lactobacilli including Lactobacillus plantarum as well as Bifidobacterium lactis during flu season had significantly reduced rate and severity of respiratory illness compared to placebo group.

Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) has been used for treating conditions related to inflammation and low immune function. Because of its balancing effect on immune activity, reishi is considered an immune modulator, Reishi polysaccharides help stimulate infection-fighting immune cells.

Data analysis of several surveys suggests that those with low level of vitamin D were 2.6 times more likely to develop pneumonia compared with those with the highest vitamin D levels. An analysis of randomized controlled trial data found vitamin D supplementation has helped to reduced the risk of respiratory infections by over 40%. Vitamin D helps increase antimicrobial immune activity; and vitamin D deficiency is associated with fewer immune cells in the blood, increasing susceptibility to infection. Vitamin D is an immune modulator by playing role in stimulating innate immune activity and regulating inflammation.

Vitamin C supplementation may be beneficial in prevention of pneumonia. Vitamin C for the common cold helps reducing severity and duration of colds. Evidently, patients with pneumonia have lower levels of blood vitamin C than healthy people. Even a modest dose of vitamin C daily, improves the blood levels and decreases symptoms of acute respiratory infections. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps reduce levels of inflammatory biomarkers.

Participants with daily intake of 200 IU vitamin E experienced fewer common colds and pneumonia. Evidently, vitamin E helps modulate the immune function. A combination of natural tocopherols may provide greater health-promoting properties compared with isolated alpha-tocopherol. Gamma-tocopherol in particular is considered an important contributor to some of vitamin E’s health benefits.

Low zinc level is common in the elderly and associated with poor immune function, decreased defenses against microbes, increased duration and incidence of pneumonia. Zinc is a necessary factor for normal cell division and development, this is especially important to cells with rapid replication, such as immune cells.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor to glutathione, one of the body’s essential antioxidants, and has been considered in treating bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and other lung conditions because of its expectorant and mucus-thinning actions. NAC supplementation promotes the body’s level of glutathione, improves immunity and modulates inflammation. Those participants who were taking 1200 mg NAC daily had developed significantly lower influenza symptoms compared with those in the placebo group. Taking NAC greatly decreased the severity and frequency of influenza-like symptoms, and reduced recovery time.

A combination of L-cystine with amino acid, L-theanine (from green tea), may also protect against viral infections that could lead to pneumonia by helping to improve immune response and fewer colds.

Echinacea provides immunomodulatory effects that can stimulate antimicrobial immune function while inhibits inflammatory immune activity. Taking echinacea can help prevent repeated respiratory infections and their complications, including pneumonia. Also, higher doses of echinacea during infections improves its efficacy.

Early treatment of cold symptoms with echinacea may help shortening recovery. In addition, Early treatment of influenza with echinacea was appeared to be as effective as the antiviral treatments. Participants who were given a standardized echinacea extract, experienced fewer flu-like symptoms and had fewer respiratory complications compared with those who received only the vaccine.

Andrographis paniculata, provides anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and immune-modulating functions. Main androgrpahis’ active constituents are andrographolides. An andrographolide called andrographanin improves mobility of white blood cells in response to cytokine stimulation which may help for more efficient immune response against pathogens. A study found that an andrographis extract enhanced immune function, and reversed induced immunosuppression. Individuals with influenza who were given andrographis had speedier recovery and less of the flu related complications.

During 3 months period, those healthy individuals taking an aged garlic extract had fewer and less severe cold and flu symptoms, and less missed days from school or work, compared with placebo group. In addition, after 45 days blood tests showed higher count of immune cells in the garlic extract group compared with placebo.

Elderberry is rich in antioxidants and have long been considered for treating of influenza. Evidently, elderberry extract is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient option for those infected with influenza. Laboratory research indicates that elderberry extract interferes with the influenza virus’ replication process. A study in 2009 demonstrated that elderberry extract inhibited influenza H1N1 infection by binding to the outside of the virus and keeping it from invading host cells.

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding part of whey protein which is known for immune-modulating effects as well as an ability to provide a wide variety of activity against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. In lab lactoferrin inhibits viral infection by interfering with the ability of certain viruses to bind to cell receptor sites and prevents entry of viruses into host cells. Lactoferrin may be beneficial to relief symptoms or complications of viral infections, like the flu, by suppressing free radical-mediated damage and decreasing availability of essential metals to pathogens.

Beta-glucans are naturally-occurring part of the cell wall structure in certain plants and fungi. These polysaccharides have been associated with an increased host immune defense and enhanced macrophage and natural killer cell function. In an animal study one group of piglets received beta-glucans for 3 days before being infected with swine flu, while another group were only on placebo. Placebo group showed much more damage in their lungs than those that received beta-glucans. Also those pre-treated with beta-glucan had significantly higher concentrations of natural immune-enhancing markers, such as interferon-gamma.

General Tips To Minimize Risks Of Respiratory Infections:

Always keep your hands clean. Respiratory infections such as flu and cold are easily transmitted from one person to another. One way they’re transmitted is through droplets sprayed in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper. Throw the tissue paper away and wash your hands thoroughly.

Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth. These are entry points for patogens; Avoid contact with sick people as they may be contagious. Do not get close to them and do not touch objects they have used.

Clean your surroundings regularly, as well as the things you use. For example, clean your counters and other surfaces that you touch often with your hands. Also wash toilets and sinks in order to keep them clean.

Cleaning is very effective in killing viruses, which can survive on hard surfaces. Clean with soap and water or utilize detergents for domestic use.

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Medicinal Mushrooms and their Immune boosting power

Articles and products featured by Health Palace are collected from a variety of sources and are provided as a service by Health Palace. These newsletters, while of potential interest to readers, do not necessarily represent the opinions nor constitute the advice of Health Palace. Presented materials are only for information purposes and do not intent to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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