What a lot of individuals don’t realize is that the coronavirus is one of the viruses that causes the common cold. While human coronaviruses have been around since the 1960s, viruses can change their virulence over time, which relates to how contagious the virus is.
What we are seeing with COVID-19 is exactly that – this particular virus has become more contagious than it’s been in the past.
Symptoms
Symptoms that coincide with COVID-19 do not appear as soon as an individual contracts the virus. Much of the concern surrounding coronavirus is due to the fact that individuals can pass along the virus to others in the earlier days that they’re not showing symptoms.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and sore throat. Coronavirus first attacks the throat, nose, and sinuses, which is why symptoms reflect those of the common cold. A major concern with coronavirus involves the spread of the virus to the lungs or respiratory tract. When it hits the lungs, it affects the bronchioles, causing mucous to buildup, making it harder to breathe. A smaller percentage of patients will experience acute respiratory distress, a condition where mucous builds up in the lung air sacs and the normal exchange of oxygen becomes difficult. These patients will have to be hospitalized as a result.
Prevention
Preventing the spread of germs is the #1 step individuals can take in this situation.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Frequently sanitize surfaces around you: the virus may live on surfaces up to 2 days.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Hydrate: water can help flush viral contamination from your oral cavity into your stomach, where the PH and acid breaks down the virus and effectively kills it.
- Boost your immune system by eating health and practicing good sleep habits and sleep hygiene.
- Take an immune boosting supplement like Vitamin C and Black Seed Cumin Oil capsules: Black seed oil is a natural immune booster. Learn more about Black Seed Cumin Oil capsules here.
The Difference Between Sinusitis and a Virus
Symptoms of sinusitis can be hard to differentiate from other viruses. The main difference is fever; fever tends to accompany viruses, and fever is not as common with bacterial infections like sinusitis. To help prevent sinusitis and to combat its symptoms, Dr. Tadros recommends flushing out your sinuses with a saltwater saline solution to keep the sinuses healthy, hydrated, and prevent the entry of contamination to the rest of the upper airway. Click here for more information on Sinusitis, its symptoms, and treatment.