not sure where this came from, but i think it's true:
Sip water / fluids frequently. If your throat is moist much of the virus will be washed into your stomach where acids kill them. If your throat is dry it is more likely the virus will stay in the throat and get into the windpipe and lungs.
This was floated around on social media, reportedly from an oncologist. It's not true. Viruses love moist mucosa, and as soon as they hit the interior tissues of the nose, eyes, mouth or throat, they start boring their way to the bloodstream to infect more cells. I mean, think about it, if this was true, stomach viruses wouldn't exist. That being said, hydration is never a bad thing.
i don't think it is 100% effective, but dehydration would expose more tiny blood vessels, while still being *somewhat* moist. Dehydrated people are more prone to all kinds of things. Like if the skin in the ear gets dry and cracked, it becomes susceptible to infection (which i recently found out). But i am not a Dr., and YMMV
@jeanne-mayell thank you for your welcome and great information. I am in Australia so the Timezone difference might be a challenge I work during the day. That said I am hoping to be able to participate. Today was a better day.
@michele-b thank you ? you are most kind and welcoming. I am in Australia so the time difference might be a challenge, even so I am eager to participate.
I read that too. It was very upsetting. I don't know whether it's because Italy has such a high number of people over 60, or because they have a high percentage of smokers, or what.
I do know Americans are very complacent. But we are not a generally healthy population, either. Lots of people with diabetes and hypertension. Lots of smokers (or people who used to smoke). I myself am an ex-smoker, so that worries me. I worry about my mom, my grandmother. My younger brother has T1D.
My cousin is pregnant and they are having her baby shower this weekend. My 94-year-old grandmother plans to attend. Either I'm the only sane one, or I'm the only nutjob.
I do think that as the number of cases increases daily, the situation will become harder and harder to ignore. I wouldn't be surprised if, by Friday, most things have been canceled.
Regarding liquids/humidity - this 2019 study indicates that low humidity lowers one's resistance to influenza.
Obviously influenza isn't coronavirus and of course a humidifier isn't going to be a magic bullet against any sickness, but I do think it's a good extra layer of protection, and it stands to reason drinking lots of water can also help in that department. I don't think it is going to "wash" a virus away, though.
There is also some indication -- I don't have a link for this right now, sorry -- that Vitamin D can help one fight off severe respiratory infections. I take Vitamin D drops anyway (I am so pale I might as well be transparent, and sunlight has never been my friend), but I'm being extra vigilant about remembering them.
It's ALL very interesting! wink wink
I just love it all. Knowing we're being helped the darkest times with lots of little messengers and messages of way too often and way too cool to be co-incidences in so many otherwise little things!
Very very interesting Twitter feed you linked too. Even all the comments!.
Dr. John Campbell of the U.K. who does the daily podcast on Covid19 on YouTube mentioned vitamin D a few days ago. There is some evidence that vitamin D strengthens the immune system and lessons the severity of flu symptoms, so he is taking a daily dose. You can google Dr. Campbell and also vitamin d and immune system. Someone on this thread mentioned that elderberries have antiviral properties and I’ve researched that online. It’s available as capsules or chewables.
Love Dr. Campbell's videos! Great knowledge base, so articulate and provides both basic and as yet not readily known explanations-- so much great information!
My daughter has taken a lot of herbalism courses and makes some wonderful black elderberry syrup. She and her friends swear by it so much that she can barely make enough to give as gifts for the holidays for them!
However she always saves a bottles for her little nieces and nephews during cold and flu season. And while I don't know her exact recipe, this online site at "Wellness Mama" uses her basic approach and has great back up information on other interesting things such as this on the elderberry:
"Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, of Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel found that elderberry disarms the enzyme viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the lining of the nose and throat.
Taken before infection, it prevents infection. Taken after infection, it prevents spread of the virus through the respiratory tract.
In a clinical trial, 20% of study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70% by 48 hours, and 90% claimed complete cure in three days.
In contrast, subjects receiving the placebo required 6 days to recover.
https://wellnessmama.com/1888/elderberry-syrup/