26-10-2020

It is now more important to be prepared for the coming winters by boosting immunity.

In view of the winter season, health experts on Sunday said that they are worried about "twindemic", as it is highly possible that people may contract both influenza and the Covid-19 infection, resulting in devastating consequences. With the medical care system already overwhelmed, experts are worried about the fast-approaching season of sniffles and coughs as the threat of 'Twindemic'. It is now more important to be prepared for the coming winters by boosting immunity, they said.

"Winter season being a season of flu poses a peculiar challenge during Covid-19 pandemic," Harshal R. Salve, Associate Professor at Centre for Community Medicine, told reporters. "Precautions such as the use of mask, frequent hand washing and physical distancing not only help to prevent the spread of Covid- 19 but also prevent a person from getting seasonal flu," Salve said.

"Adequate Intake of citrus fruits and green leafy vegetable supplies much-needed antioxidants to the body to fight viral infections," he advised. According to Parmeet Kaur, the Senior Dietician at Narayana Hospital in Gurugram, this winter season is approaching just around the corner like another second wave of the pandemic.

"Our body has the power to heal as most of 70-80 per cent immunity comes from the gut. Vitamin C and antioxidants help to build up immunity and prevent from various illnesses," Kaur said.

Also, maintain a healthy lifestyle by meeting the 80 per cent nutritional requirements and 20 per cent physical activity, she added.

S.P. Byotra, Chairman, Department of Internal Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi also told IANS: "During the time of changing weather and covid19 situation, antioxidants can help reduce the risk of Covid-19.