The coronavirus pandemic which has affected almost every country has turned the world’s attention to the immune system, the body’s defense mechanism. Our immune system is our body’s multi-level defense network against potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, and other organisms. In fact, it is the degree to which this response is tolerated by the body that determines the mortality rates and hence could mean the difference in life and death for those fighting COVID-19.
A healthy lifestyle – not smoking, drinking little or no alcohol, sleeping well, eating a balanced diet, taking regular moderate exercise, and reducing stress – helps our immune systems to be in the best shape possible to tackle pathogens. The food we eat plays a key aspect in determining our overall health and immunity. Sometimes we may have to take extra supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, etc under medical supervision to boost our immune system.
Scientists have identified two forms of immune-boosting T cells that fight infections. T cells are known as the immune warriors that help us fight viruses and other germs. One type of T cell is called the “helper” cell, while the second is the “killer” that destroys virus cells with toxic chemicals. Scientists are of the view that COVID-19 patients who come seriously ill with the disease, maybe missing the teamwork between these two types of cells.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania discovered that there are three types of immunity variations that can affect how your body responds to disease.
In the first type, there are too many helper cells to direct the attack and hot enough warriors or killer cells to complete the task. The second type involves too may killer cells ready to attack that lack a coordinated plan from the helper cells. Lastly, the researchers found some people do not make
In short, there is a cure for every viral infection known to mankind and that is the immune system. When the immune system appropriately responds to a foreign pathogen, it can do wonderful things. Strengthening our immune system should be our top priority in fighting viruses including the coronavirus.
