6 Ways to Survive the Current Nipah Virus Endemic

 Dr. Sudhirdas Prayaga

           Currently there is a resurgence of Nipah Virus (NiV) infections in many parts of the world.  An ‘epidemic’ is the spread of an infectious disease, usually localized in an area are called ‘endemic’. Currently, the risk posed by NiV to cause a major epidemic is limited. Recently India reported many cases of this virus infection.  So, I thought it may be time to repost some of the information I had posted in the past about surviving infectious diseases.

How to be healthy and keep healthy

To be healthy or keep healthy means to keep all arms of your immune system in good working order which will protect you from any infections. As we all know, in a population only few get very sick and may die of infections, many are in the average range getting sick and recover. Depending on the type of infectious agent, most may not show any symptoms of disease. This range of variation is mostly due to variation in the health of our immune system and immune responses.  What we need is a balanced immune response for optimum health.  Here is how to get there.

Strategies to survive this infection cycle

 1. Maintain optimum immune health. Nothing is more important than keeping good mental,      physical and immune health for a long and healthy life.  As the saying goes, a well-oiled           machine works well, it is imperative we keep our body agile for long term performance.  How   to know if you have optimum immune health and how to attain it are discussed in my     other postings.

2.     Keeping distance and avoiding public places. Direct contact with an infected person is often the cause of disease transmission. Avoid crowded public places such as social events, bus stations, railway stations, airports, etc.  Avoid going to hospital if it is not urgent.  Typically, infectious diseases are acquired from others.  Many people may have been infected but do not have or shown symptoms and may be carrier of the infectious agent.  So, if you are immune compromised or over age 50% it is better to avoid crowded areas.

3.     Use personal protective equipment (PPE).  Rigorous use of masks and sanitizers will cut down on infecting ourselves and others by over 90%.  Wash your hands and face regularly, especially whenever you return from crowed places.

4.     Use anti infection cocktails. The commonly available Ayurveda based mix of ginger, turmeric, lemon have been shown to be effective to various extents to control infections. Simple cocktails made with locally available ingredients may be as beneficial, if you know what to use.  Scientifically for example, Shogaol, a chemical present in gi ger, is found to have anti-infective properties. Similarly, Withaferin-A, a chemical present in Ashwagandha, is also shown to have an immune modulatory effect.  Here is a suggested recipe - to a glass of warm water (about 250mL) add a quarter teaspoon Turmeric powder, half teaspoon Ginger powder and half teaspoon Ashwagandha power, mix well and drink early in the morning.  

5.     Use of Anti-Viral Medication. Although there is no FDA or WHO approved medication available for Nipah currently, there are few drugs in preclinical testing which may work in extreme cases.

 6.     Avoid source    s of contamination. Such as fruits which may have come in contact            with bats, fruits such as mangoes, guava, with compromised surface integrity. These are          eaten by pigs and other livestock’s. NiV infection is a serious but rare zoonotic disease            transmitted to humans through infected animals (such as bats), or food contaminated with        saliva, urine, and excreta of infected animals. It can also be transmitted directly from                person to person through close contact with an infected person.

      Remember, you are solely responsible for your health. Taking appropriate action based on your health condition is the way to survive this disease. Act before it is too late.  Although this article is written specifically for Covid-19, these recommendations may also work for most other infectious diseases. These are only suggestions; you should consult with your doctor before taking appropriate action based on your health. This is Dr. Sudhirdas Prayaga signing off. Thank you for reading this article. My other articles can by found on my blog: the ‘prayagaprinciples.blogspot.com’.