Staying Healthy After The Pandemic?

4 min

Among the countless after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic is our increased awareness of how infection spreads and how quickly a new disease can whip around the world. We would be wise to use that knowledge to help protect ourselves against everyday bacteria and viruses, and to prepare ourselves for the next potential pandemic.

We should all keep in mind that the environment is full of microbes, and that we are all exposed to them all the time. Only some are illness-causing pathogens, and the human body routinely fends them off. A healthy immune system works every day to identify and combat microbes that shouldn’t be in the body; once those are vanquished, the immune system remembers them so it’s better prepared for the next encounter.

It made national news a few years back when researchers published results of a study of genetic materials found on surfaces in New York City parks, subways, and other public areas. Almost half of the DNA samples turned out to be complete mysteries – they did not match any known organism. The other half revealed 1,688 known bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. A similar study looked at ATM keypads in three different New York City neighborhoods and found bacteria, fungi, and parasites – many of which were from unknown sources. Millions of New Yorkers are exposed to these organisms every day, yet they are not all stricken with illnesses. That’s because some of those organisms are nonpathogenic, and others trigger immune responses that defeat the bugs before an illness even begins.

When the SARS-CoV-2 virus arrived, however, it had a combination of characteristics that made it a formidable opponent: it caused a serious illness in humans; it was highly transmissible; and it was new, so nobody’s immune system was prepared to combat it. Although it claimed many victims from all demographics and locations, the virus was particularly lethal in those who were least able to mount a strong defense, meaning the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems (including those taking immunosuppressants after a transplant, getting chemotherapy for cancer, being treated with corticosteroids, or living with HIV).

We have very little control over what pathogens may be lurking in the environment or what new ones may emerge, nor can we control how infectious those microbes may be. What we can do is take steps now to ensure we have the most robust immune response possible, and practice commonsense habits that can protect us from exposure and transmission.

1. Protect (and boost your immune system.) Although our immune systems have a tremendous amount of resiliency, several lifestyle factors can weaken the immune response, including stress, anxiety, insufficient sleep, smoking, alcohol, excess weight, and lack of exercise. Diet also affects the immune system. All of these are within our control, so it makes sense to do whatever we can to develop immune-boosting habits. Daily doses of garlic and astragalus may help. Read my guide to the immune system for 9 tips on what to do to modulate your immune system, including what foods and supplements can help.
2. Wash your hands. Those ubiquitous microbes on public surfaces are much less dangerous if they stay outside your body. When viruses or other foreign bodies go from your hand to your eye or mouth, they have the potential to cause illness, so it’s wise to wash them off before they gain entry. The handwashing routine that was recommended during the pandemic still makes sense – for all microbes. Read up on what water temperature works best, how effective hand sanitizer is, and how to dry your hands, here.
3. Wear a mask (selectively). One large review of pandemic public health measures (masking, social distancing, and handwashing) found that all three helped reduce transmission. We don’t see many masks these days in everyday life, but I would still advise some people, in some circumstances, to consider wearing one. If you are feeling ill but must be in public, please consider those around you and mask up. If you are immune compromised yourself or have a vulnerable family member at home, and you’re going into a crowded public place, you might also want to don a mask.

Covid is still out there, as are thousands of other microbes, so it makes sense to keep our defenses up. A robust immune system, and some sensible habits, are our best protections against infection.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Source
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