The Coronavirus the next Pandemic

There is no doubt that by now, you have heard about the Coronavirus outbreak. It started in Wuhan China and has had more than 6,000 confirmed cases in Mainland China and 132 people dead from the virus, and that toll is climbing.  It has the authorities there so worried that they have quarantined 50-60 million people in an attempt to lockdown Wuhan and its surrounding area. Containing the virus is already too late, it seems, with cases sprouting up in the US, Australia and France. 

It is spreading quickly, and many in the medical community liken the current outbreak, to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-19. In 1918 more than 500 million people worldwide were infected and as many as 100 million died from the disease. 102 years later, the planet is in a faster pace of life, more connected by air travel reaching every corner of the globe within 24 hours. 

Fortunately, public health officials in many countries, including the US, have been preparing for this possibility. Gratefully there are measures in place to help prevent further spread of the virus. These measures include health screenings at major airports in the US for people traveling from Wuhan. In China, travel restrictions are in effect.

With information changing so quickly and every news report about the virus seeming to raise the stakes, you may be wondering how worried should you be. Unless you are in close contact with someone who has the Coronavirus, and the bulk of the infections are occurring in Wuhan China, you are likely safe. Yes, there are a few known cases in the US and this is likely to change but the authorities have been highly focused on containment. Since we believe that the Coronaviruses is usually spread through droplets containing large particles, a zone of 3-6 feet of someone infected should be avoided. Try to also avoid confined areas with a high concentration of people. People on planes out of China are most likely spreading the virus without knowing it, spreading it farther than presently understood.

What can you do to protect yourself from getting sick?

Keep to the basic protocol of infectious disease prevention to help curb the chances of getting the Coronavirus or any other virus making the rounds. 

  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose,or mouth with your hands
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with your inner elbow
  • Stay home if you have a fever
  • Stay away from people who have signs of a respiratory tract infection
  • Boost your immune system 

 Hyperbarics Oxygen Therapy  and IV Nutritional drip therapy are both known to help bolster your immune system to fight off disease.  

For more information on how Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy of WNY & ROC O2 LAB both part of the Feingold Center for Integrated Medicine, can help bolster your body’s immune system – click here