COVID-19
Steam Inhalation Can Be a Preventive Measure Against COVID-19
Something is better than nothing.
Coronaviral disease (COVID-19) spread around the world at an alarming rate, claiming thousands of lives and threatening millions. The whole world is under threat and no medicine or vaccine has been developed to fight against this virus named — SARS-CoV-2 (earlier Novel Coronavirus).
The rapid spread of the virus after its outbreak in December 2019 from Wuhan, China made a huge impact in the world and is expected to last a few years.
Earlier, it was anticipated the outspread might slow down with the arrival of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. But the disease progressed regardless of the weather.
Higher temperatures and sunlight reduces the viral load when exposed directly. It’s because sunlight radiates ultra-violet (UV) light and heat which kills the virus present in the skin surface, personal objects, or in the atmospheric air.
But protection of the exterior is inadequate to protect ourselves from the infection. The virus houses inside the tissues and cells, where the sunlight cannot penetrate.
Health professionals suggest keeping physical distance, wearing masks, and repeated cleaning of hands and personal objects to keep away the virus. But the massive outspread suggests it is carried by air and can transmit faster than predicted.
What do we do?
In this situation, self-quarantine, decreased physical interaction, wearing masks, and maintaining hygiene is our only choice. With this, we might keep ourselves from being infected.
But a seemingly healthy sneeze from an asymptomatic person can send a breeze of aerosols containing the virus for us to breathe. Therefore, wearing masks is critical for prevention.
COVID-19 resembles common flu. Only a PCR-based test of the throat or nasal mucus can confirm the disease.
So, we might look helpless until the test. But it’s not true.
We know the cure to get rid of seasonal flu right away and might work for COVID-19. Isn’t it worth a try?
What I am talking about is a traditional practice. And it might be an effective way to care for ourselves before medical attention.
Heat application could help to slow down the infection of this Coronavirus, like other respiratory viruses.
An effective way for heat application to lungs is by inhalation of steam.
Traditionally, steam inhalation is a treatment for flu, cough, sinusitis, etc. and might as well be effective against the COVID-19. I
As we see it, there are three reasons behind it:
- The virus infects the lungs where it multiplies and causes disease. Inhalation of steam directly flushes the hot air to the lungs and inactivates the virus by denaturation of the capsid proteins.
- Steam contains water vapor heated to about 100°C. While the temperature might fall in its journey through the respiratory tract, there still lives enough heat that can cause damage to the virus. It’s because of the specific heat capacity of water is high among edible liquids. The heat in the vapor could be enough to denature the surface proteins of the virus and inactivate it.
- Unlike other methods, steaming is harmless and doesn’t involve the use of chemicals or any side effects. It also applies to many age groups.
Steam inhalation is the direct application of heat into the interior of the lungs, and to the area where the infection occurs. It may not wipe out all the viruses, but reduces the load and help to slow down the infection process. Extension of the incubation period and allows more time for the body to build natural resistance against the pathogen.
How to perform steam inhalation?
The method is simple.
- First, you need to boil water.
- Pour it into a wide-mouthed bowl and lean over so the face is directly above the water.
- Cover the head with a large towel, or a blanket if bearable.
- Then, breathe through the nose forcing the steam from the water into the lungs.
- Perform the process repeatedly, but not for too long at a time or you might suffocate.
Disclaimer: All views expressed on this reading are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity, or research whatsoever with which I have been, am now or will be affiliated.
Originally published at https://www.mbiology.com.
