Coronavirus is affecting the day-to-day life of citizens in many countries. The virus has led to the closure of workplaces and schools and the banning of mass gatherings. Currently, there’s no vaccine against the novel coronavirus. Symptoms of the virus, named COVID-19, include having a new, persistent cough and a high temperature. Researchers and leading scientists are currently working on creating a vaccine specifically for this virus, as well as potential treatments.
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Regular hand washing and maintaining good hygiene seem to be the biggest pieces of advice currently.
Dr Wladimir Alonso, a global health researcher at the National Institutes of health in Bethasa said: “There are many opportunities in between hand-washing episodes for people to re-contaminate their hands.”
This is why we are being told to avoid touching our faces, nose and mouth.
In fact, touching the nose and mouth can cancel out the benefits of washing hands regularly, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Apart from good hygiene, is there any medicine one could take to help treat the virus and which medicine has been proven ineffective?
As COVID-19 is a viral infection and not bacterial, antibiotics will not work to protect against the deadly virus.
The NHS said: “There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.
“Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness. You’ll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered.”
What to do if you suspect you may have symptoms of COVID-19?
- If a person suspects they may have symptoms of the deadly virus, its advised to follow this protocol which includes:
- Gauge how sick you are and ascertain how likely it is that you came into contact with the coronavirus
- Call your GP if you have mild symptoms to reduce transmission of the virus
- Stay at home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and avoid sharing items like drinking glasses, utensils, keyboards and phones
Vaccines and treatment options for COVID-19 are currently being investigated around the world.
Some current treatment options that are being investigated include remdesivir which is an experimental broad-spectrum antiviral drug originally designed to target Ebola.
Researchers have found that remdesivir is highly effective at fighting the novel coronavirus in isolated cells.
The treatment is not yet approved in humans, but two clinical trials for this drug have been implemented in China.
Other treatments being investigated include chloroquine, lopinavir and ritonavir and favilavir.
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Could house plants help?
According to a NASA Clean Air Study which was designed to find effective and simple ways to detox the air in the space stations and was revealed the common house plants have air purifying superpowers which could help.
The famous experiment through NASA was published in 1989 and found that indoor plants can scrubs the air of cancer-causing volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene.
Later research has found that soil microorganisms in potted plants also play a part in cleaning indoor air.
Based on the NASA research, some scientists say house plants are effective natural air purifiers. And according to the study, the bigger and leafier the plant, the better.
Former NASA researchers scientist Bill Wolverton said: “The amount of leaf surface area influences the rate of air purification.”
Bill has long been passionate about the power of the common house plant and even wrote a book on the topic.
While there is no definitive study proving house plants could help with treatment for viral infections, the many health benefits of having an indoor plant include assisting in breathing, helping to deter illness, clean the air, boost healing and reduce stress.
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