[Opinion] COVID-19 and Immunity

Published 02 Jul.2020 14:06(KST)

Myeongkwon Kim, Adjunct Professor at Seoyoung University (Former Director of the Seogu Health Center, Gwangju Metropolitan City)

Our country is internationally recognized as a leading nation in K-quarantine, proactively responding to COVID-19 with a high level of quarantine measures.

In countries such as the United States, Russia, and Brazil, many infections continue to occur in clusters, and reports that more than 510,000 people worldwide have died, along with statistics showing that the total number of confirmed cases globally exceeds 10 million, seem to well represent the contagiousness and severity of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus infection, primarily showing symptoms such as high fever, muscle pain, dry cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. In the early stages of infection, it is highly contagious and can easily spread in enclosed spaces with close contact, infecting not only those who shared the same space but also vulnerable groups with weakened immunity and the elderly, for whom the infection risk can be even greater.

Recently, infections have been occurring within communities centered around logistics centers, PC rooms, saunas, and religious facilities, and there is growing concern from quarantine authorities due to many cases where the transmission route is unknown.

At times like these, it goes without saying that personal hygiene must be strictly maintained. While making mask-wearing a daily habit, it is also important to observe proper coughing etiquette, practice social distancing, and avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.

In particular, after going out, washing thoroughly with cleansing agents and brushing teeth, among other quarantine rules, should be followed as the most effective means to protect oneself, family, and neighbors.

Additionally, individuals should continuously engage in activities that boost their immunity. To do so, starting with light exercise such as walking or strolling, and making efforts to find mental relaxation through social healing are also necessary.

As psychological shrinkage due to COVID-19 has lasted for a long time, mental quarantine is also needed. Now is the time to keep social distance while bringing hearts closer together.

Reducing stress, which is closely related to immunity, and finding relaxation to relieve tension in daily life, followed by light stretching and sharing a cup of tea, would help foster harmonious communication among family and neighbors.

Good ways to boost immunity include sufficient rest, adequate nutrition, and enough sleep as top priorities. If there are issues with improving immunity, taking high-dose vitamin supplements containing substances that can help enhance immunity, such as benfotiamine and ursodeoxycholic acid, as well as vitamin D supplements, can also be recommended.

Unlike early predictions by public health experts, COVID-19 continues to spread regardless of temperature, and the prevailing expectation is that this trend will continue for the time being, which is truly worrisome.

In the coming fall season, it is expected that influenza and COVID-19 will circulate simultaneously, raising further concerns.

I would like to compare COVID-19 to a forest fire.

Even if the large flames are controlled, if small sparks repeatedly reignite, it is hard to deny that until treatments or vaccines are developed, it will cause greater damage to humanity.

Therefore, for those who have not yet received pneumococcal vaccination while COVID-19 continues to cause community infections, I strongly recommend getting the pneumococcal vaccine in advance. I believe that a safe, healthy, and highly immune community will serve as a strong pillar of support for us.