Given that August is Respiratory Health Month in the Philippines, it is quite appropriate to talk about the illness that is the most pressing concern at this point in our history: COVID-19.
The Delta variant is said to be the most contagious, if not the most virulent, form of the virus. But rather than face it with fear, we offer these practical tips to help prevent personal contamination and its potential spread.
First of All, What Makes Delta Different from Previously Known Variants?
The World Health Organization refers to it as the “fastest and fittest” of any known variant of the SARS-CoV2 virus which causes COVID-19. First encountered in India, Delta is the most virulent mutation so far: twice as contagious and capable of causing more severe illness in patients.
But before anyone starts wailing about how vaccines don’t seem to be working, let us set the records straight:
- Vaccines Work Stop listening to conspiracy theorists and baseless video rants you found online. The US Center for Disease Control has noted that all known vaccines are able to deflect possible contagion in healthy individuals. For vaccinated individuals who do test positive for Delta, they are contagious for a shorter amount of time, have very mild symptoms, and recover rapidly.
- We are Currently Looking at a “Pandemic of the Unvaccinated” Check the news reports: the overwhelming majority of those who have been hospitalized or confined to critical care because of the Delta variant are not vaccinated – not even with a first shot of a dual-dosage vaccine.
- Delta Strikes Regardless of Age Sad but true: the Philippine General Hospital recently announced that children are among those being hit hardest by the Delta variant. The virus manifests as a condition called multi-systemic inflammatory syndrome in childhood (MIS-C) wherein the function of the body’s systems is compromised by swollen organs. Recovery from MIS-C is slow and, in several cases, some body functions are permanently impaired.
So, How Do We Keep Delta at Bay?
Vaccination is still the strongest preventive measure against this variant, but healthcare professionals still recommend the following to keep ourselves and our families healthy in these times:
- Wear a mask whenever you’re going out. Rather than the flimsy surgical masks used in previous times, the more robust KN95 and similar items offer more protection.
- Continue to observe social distancing and keep going out to a bare minimum.
- Boost your immune system through a proper diet, supplementation, and ample exercise even in the home.
- Consider your respiratory health by not smoking and avoiding airborne pollutants as much as possible.
As always, it pays to boost your immunity further with regular sessions in the Vital Dome. The Far Infrared Rays generated within can speed up the cellular regeneration process within the body, making your immune system and other organs more robust and able to withstand infection better.
