COVID-19 Advice

As you are all aware, Kenya has confirmed its first case of the Covid-19 (Corona) Virus. I have received several requests from many of you requesting some guidance on how to manage the situation. The Kenya Government is updating regularly on this situation and it is important to keep up to date with their directives in regards to this. 

So far, what we know about the virus is based on a couple of months of research since the virus surfaced. 85% of people who get it do not have any major symptoms and only have a mild to moderate cold or flu. By the grace of the universe, it seems that the infection is not affecting children. However, it is important to note that children may be carriers while being asymptomatic. 

We need to however protect the most vulnerable and elderly people from this virus as the fatality rate in this group is much higher. 

Who qualifies as vulnerable?

• Any person taking medication for management of conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, any autoimmune conditions and anyone who is generally not in good health. 
• Any person who has had any form of Cancer in their lifetime. 
• Elderly people over the age of 65. 
• Any person who generally has a weak immune system. 

What can you do to prevent contracting and spreading COVID-19?

• Maintain basic hygiene. Washing hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and carrying an alcohol based hand sanitizer is good practice.
• If you are in any crowded areas, it is important to avoid contact with any person – no hand shakes or hugging. 
• Avoid travel if possible. It is better to take an abundance of caution and be safe
• If travelling by public transport, avoid contact with surfaces as much as possible, and wear a mask to prevent transmission through air droplets
• Eat freshly prepared hot food. Heat will kill the virus. 
• Door handles, elevator buttons and any surface that is regularly touched by people can be major points of infection. Carry some disposable paper towels, and if this is not possible, avoid contact with your face after you have touched surfaces. 

Building your immune system

• Eat nutrient dense whole foods like brightly colored fruit and vegetables. These include:
  • Foods rich in vitamin A such as carrots and moringa leaves
  • Foods rich in zinc such as seeds, nuts, mushrooms, garlic, spinach, and broccoli
  • Foods rich in Vitamin C such as oranges, papaya, pineapple, red peppers, 
  • Turmeric (which is anti-viral and anti-inflammatory)
• Vitamin A improves immune function by increasing Lacto-Bacilli in the gut, and also produces interferons and other immune chemicals that can fight infection.
• Ginger – Juice 60g of ginger and add it to half a squeezed lemon, and eighth of a teaspoon of Cayenne pepper and honey. Add 6 cups of warm water to this and sip it throughout the day. This is a potent antiviral drink.

Supplements you can use

COVID-19 is around 30 to 60 times more lethal than the typical annual flu, again affecting the most vulnerable.

Both influenza and COVID-19 cause an inflammatory storm in the lungs and it is this inflammatory storm that leads to acute respiratory distress, organ failure, and death. Certain nutraceuticals may help to reduce the inflammation in the lungs from RNA viruses and others may also help boost type 1 interferon response to these viruses, which is the body’s primary way to help create antiviral antibodies to fight off viral infections.

Many companies are working on vaccines for this virus, but it will take some time as they finalise their research and bring the vaccines to market. There is no pharmaceutical treatment as of now, but research has shown some nutraceutics used to manage SARs, MERs in China have been effective in management of COVID-19. 

• Zinc Lozenges – These improve immune function and block COVID-19 and other viruses from multiplying in the throat and nasal pharynx. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve at the back of your throat. 
• Cordyceps – Boost immune function, protects cilia of the lungs, modulates cytokine response and increases T-cell count. 
• Echinacea – Helps prevent many colds and respiratory diseases and can be used as a prophylaxis against COVID-19.
• Vitamin D 5000IU 
• Vitamin C with Rosehips 1000mg
• Scutellaria baicalensis – Also known as Chinese Skullcap. It blocks viral attachment, modulates cytokine response and protects the spleen and lymph nodes. 
• N-Acetyl Cysteine 600mg – there is evidence for shortening the duration of influenza by about two to four days and reducing the severity of the infection. 

What can you do in case you believe you have contracted COVID-19?

• Isolate yourself from people around you, especially people who are at high risk. This is EXTREMELY important. 
• Ensure you keep yourself well hydrated 
• If you want to confirm the virus, you need to do a test at a hospital closest to you. We are currently working with our testing providers to get some more information on the tests.
• If you experience any breathing difficulty, it is important to visit a hospital near you.

As always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We may ask you to limit your visits to us in order to help contain the spread of the virus.