Precautions to follow while boosting your immunity

Given the prevalent covid-19 situation, we all are worried about immunity. Everybody is doing something or other to boost their immunity. Myriads of advices are being circulated on social media to help boost immunity which makes us to believe these and we start following these without consulting qualified doctors. But we need to be aware of the following regardless of the immunity routine we follow:

• Women who are planning to conceive, are pregnant  or are on their periods should avoid following:
• basil (tulsi)
• cinnamon (daalchini)
• fenugreek (methidana)
• turmeric (haldi) milk
• dry ginger (saunth)
• black pepper
• hot water

• If you want to use/fumigate camphor in room, it is better to keep it at entry of house and around windows only. Keep it away from
• kids less than 2 year of age
• pregnant women
• People who are prone to allergies

• To give steam to children below one year, don't use vicks or camphor. Don't use camphor oil on their nose, chest or throat. As per research it can be harmful for them.

• Feed only breastmilk or formula milk (not even water) to kids below 6 months of age. Breastmilk/formula milk is sufficient to boost their immunity. Remember Breastmilk is called liquid gold for its known nutritional value.

• Wearing mask, sanitization and social distancing should be followed even if you are vaccinated.

• Encourage everyone in your home to get vaccinated when they are eligible for it. If you are undergoing a treatment, discuss with your doctor if you should get vaccinated or not.

• There is no vaccine for pregnant women, "just parented" women and people below 18 years of age. So it is our collective  responsibility to follow all the guidelines. For immunity, pregnant women should consume milk, green vegetables, citrus fruit in limited quantity. You can gargle and have steam/heat therapy for your throat before sleeping. Pregnant women should take special precautions in taking all medicines and supplements on time, go for regular doctor visits on time; alongside they shoud do light exercise, yoga and meditation. Staying calm in this stage is very important. 

• If you are giving immunity booster kadha to kids,  give only one tablespoon and add sweetener. It would be better to consult respective allopathic, homeopathic or ayurvedic specialist, since kadha is generally not recommended for kids.

• Not every patient suffering from  cough, cold and fever is covid patient but persistent fever more than 102 is an alarming sign. Even if it is not covid, such a high temperature is not good for body. Only take paracetamol to lower body temperature. Don't take any other medicine without consultation. Disprin, ibuprofen or nimesulide without consultation can be dangerous for health and these medicines are not safe for pregnant women.

• Download arogya setu and state government app (e.g. ayush kavach app in UP) in your mobile phone. In these apps, there is information about authentic covid 19 laboratories, helpline number, hospitals etc.

• Don't trust or spread rumours. Always use authentic sources for information and knowledge. Don't blindly forward whatsapp or facebook messages. Before forwarding, check its authenticity. Wait for your turn to get vaccinated.

Stay safe and healthy. 

Reference:

• Dr. Kajal singh, Shrijani garbh sanskar and antenatal care, Chandarvati hospital, Aligarh.