precaution Archives

July 10, 2020 By Dr. Vaidya's 3 Comments

How to Disinfect Your Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of abating, it’s up to us to do everything we can to slow its spread. This means protecting ourselves, our families, and those around us, especially the most vulnerable. While social distancing is the most important thing that you can do in this regard it is also important to pay more heed to hygiene. Sanitization and disinfection of your home and surroundings is something that you can actively do to lower the risk of contagion. Although contact with contaminated surfaces is not the primary mode of transmission of COVID-19, it can increase your risk. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contact with contaminated surfaces is a likely secondary mode of infection. Before you attempt to clean and disinfect your home in panic, take a breath and calm down. To effectively disinfect your home and lower the risk of coronavirus infection, find out which products work, how you should use them, and which areas of your house require your attention.

Disinfectants and Cleansers to Sanitize Your Home

Not every cleanser is effective at killing microorganisms like the coronavirus and some are only effective for bacteria or weaker viral strains. Here are the different categories of cleansers.

Bleach: If you’re looking to thoroughly disinfect and kill any pathogen in your house, nothing’s more effective than sodium hypochlorite – the active ingredient in bleach. Bleach is so effective as it destroys the protein and RNA, which is the defining feature of any virus. When cleaning with bleach, make sure to follow package directions and leave it on the surface for at least 10-15 minutes before mopping or wiping down.
Surgical Spirit or Ethanol: is one of the most powerful disinfectants you can find. It is therefore a common ingredient in many of the best disinfectants and sanitizers. From research, we know that ethanol can kill most types of coronavirus in about half a minute of exposure. It works in the same manner as bleach, destroying the virus’ RNA. When using surgical spirit or any ethanol-based cleanser, you simply need to moisten a cloth with the solution and rub it over the surface area. The point is to apply the solution over the area, not to rub it or wipe it off, as such liquids evaporate rapidly.
Surface Wipes: Depending on the type and quality of surface wipes, efficacy of such products can vary. Many contain antiseptics like benzalkonium chloride, which can kill germs, while some may also have natural antiseptics. The main benefit of such products is that they can help physically remove pathogens from surfaces, but they are unlikely to kill the virus itself.
Hand Sanitizers: are extremely useful for disinfection, especially for personal hygiene when you are forced to step outdoors and come in contact with surfaces. Hand sanitizers can also be used to clean household surfaces if needed. They are so effective because of the same primary ingredient in surgical spirit – ethanol. If you are looking for natural or herbal sanitizers, these should also contain alcohol to have any efficacy. An Ayurvedic herbal sanitizer would probably list the alcohol as prasanna or madya.
Soap and Water: As stated by health care authorities across the world, soap and water is your first defense against the virus. This is true with hand washing, but there’s a caveat. Almost all soaps and detergents will simply help to remove the virus and allow it be flushed away with water. However, these products will not kill the virus. This means that soaps and detergents, although helpful for hand washing, are not of much use when disinfecting household surfaces.

CAUTION

When using chemical-based disinfectants and cleansers like bleach, you need to exercise great caution. Bleach and other chemicals can be toxic if ingested or inhaled and can also cause severe skin and eye irritation. Make sure to use gloves and ensure good ventilation when using these products. If you’re using herbal Ayurvedic cleansers with ingredients like neem and aloe, this isn’t a concern at all.

When using bleach, make sure to dilute it precisely as directed and avoid mixing it with any other products as this can be deadly. Also keep in mind that bleach isn’t suitable for cleansing all surfaces as it can damage or discolor some surfaces.

Areas of Focus When You Disinfect Your Home

1. Household Surfaces
Because of the relative novelty of the COVID-19 virus, there is a lack of extensive research, but we are learning more each day. Studies show that the coronavirus has different survival times on different surfaces. Plastic and stainless steel surfaces deserve the most attention when you disinfect your home, as the virus could survive on such surfaces for up to nine days. On the other hand, paper and cardboard surfaces were found to be most inhospitable to the virus, with survival times of no more than a day.

Keeping this in mind and the efficacy of the various disinfectants that we have already discussed, you should focus on cleansing the following areas in your house.

Kitchen and cabinet counters
Door knobs, door handles, door bells, and all switches
Remote controls, keyboards, joysticks, and other frequently used devices
Laptops, tablets, and phones
The outside of your wallet or bottom and handle of your purse
Mattresses, cushions, and other upholstery that cannot be washed frequently may be cleansed with disinfectant sprays

2. Things You Bring into Your Home
Despite the lockdown and social distancing measures, trips to the ATM, grocery store, or pharmacist can be unavoidable. When you return with groceries and other supplies, you need to be aware of the risk of surface contamination. Every item that you purchase and bring into your home, from the packaging to the individual items, is handled by a chain of people – the employee who stocks the shelves, the cashier, and other customers who may have handled the product before.

This makes the cleansing and sanitizing of all things you bring into the house more important than other household cleansing. Wipe the surfaces of all bottles, cans, plastic bags or boxes, and other containers with disinfectants like sanitizer before you put them in your cabinet or fridge. For the same reason, it would also be a good idea to put your clothes to wash with detergent each time you enter your home. Similarly, it would be a good idea to cleanse your car’s steering wheel, dashboard, and door handles each time you return home.

We hope this article helps you disinfect your home and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more useful information, you can check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

Ayurvedic cleansers are available on the GOQii Health Store within the GOQii app as well.

#BeTheForce

March 30, 2020 By Vandana Juneja Leave a Comment

5 Ways to Improve Immunity Naturally

With the spread of virus, there’s one very important thing to realise – the virus attacks people with a compromised or low immune system. A strong and properly functioning immune system helps by protecting you in your daily life as you come into contact with germs and bugs from other people, pets and the environment around you. Without a healthy immune system, you could pick up infections and infectious diseases more easily, and the effects could be serious – even fatal. So let’s look at ways in which we can improve immunity naturally!

Tips to Improve Immunity Naturally

1. Healthy Diet
Following a HEALTHY DIET rich in ANTIOXIDANTS is essential to supporting your immune system. Include more fruits and vegetables, as they are rich in antioxidants. They help combat free radicals—chemicals by products known to damage DNA and suppress the immune system. A few examples of immunity building food items includes – Citrus fruits, Lemon, Amla, Kiwi, Papaya, Bell peppers, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Spinach, Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Yogurt, Nuts and Seeds, Seafood and Green Tea.

Choose healthy fats (such as the omega-3 fatty acids available in oily fish, flaxseed, and canola/soya bean oil) over saturated fats (found in meat and dairy products). Also, healthy fats may help increase your body’s production of compounds involved in regulating immunity. Drinking plenty of water helps our cells operate efficiently and allows the body to process food and eliminate waste. Reduce your intake of Alcohol and avoid smoking as well.

2. Regular Exercise
Incorporating a regular workout regime, in your daily routine, has been scientifically proven to boost our immune system. Research continues to support a link between moderate, regular exercise and a healthy immune system. Regular exercise mobilises the T cells, a type of white blood cell which guards the body against infection. However, Intense exercise seems to cause a temporary decrease in immune system function. Research has found that during intense physical exertion, the body produces certain hormones (Stress hormones) that temporarily lower immunity. If you are training for ultra-endurance events, a key component of your training should be including enough rest and recovery days to allow your body (immune system) to recover. To keep yourself in shape, you can also try our 30 Day Quarantine Burn Challenge in the GOQii App! You can earn points which can be exchanged for exciting rewards.

3. Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can leave you with a low immunity by suppressing the immune response of your body as it releases the hormone cortisol, when in a stressful situation. Cortisol interferes with the T-cells to reproduce and receive signals from the body. Cortisol also reduces the antibody secretory IgA, which lines the gut and respiratory tract, which are our first line of defence against various pathogens. To keep your stress levels in check, you should follow the practice of Yoga, meditation or deep breathing in your regular routine. Take up a hobby or involve yourself in some recreational activity. Talk to friends/ family about your concerns and seek professional help, if required. Furthermore, you could also participate in our Health Quiz Karona – a health quiz that’ll definitely help you relax. The points you win during the course of this quiz can be donated to our partners who will use them to provide protective masks for people in need on the frontlines of this war against COVID-19.

4. Sleep Well
Another healthy habit vital to preventing sickness is getting a full eight hours of sleep each night. Sound and sufficient sleep help regulate the immune function. Several studies have shown that those who sleep less than six hours per night or who have a sleep disorder were more likely to have colds and other respiratory infections. Try to sleep for 7–8 hours and avoid having a late-night too often.

5. Good Hygiene
The first line of defence against germs is following good personal hygiene! It lowers your risk for diseases and illnesses commonly spread through viruses and bacteria. Your hands come into contact with bacteria/virus every time you cough, use the restroom, touch your pet, or touch surfaces such as stair railings used frequently by others. Failing to wash your hands and body regularly can cause the bacteria/virus to multiply, increasing the risk for infection and other health problems. Here’s the right way to use a hand sanitizer: https://goqii.com/blog/the-correct-way-to-use-hand-sanitizer-to-kill-99-9-germs/

You can stop an infection before it begins and avoids spreading it to others with these easy measures:

Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing food and after using the restroom, after coming back home from or whenever you feel they are dirty.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, or cough into your elbow rather than your hand.

With little change in your diet and routine, you can ensure that your immune system is strong enough to protect you against the virus infection. Eat as little or no junk food at all! Hope these tips help you witness the change in your body’s strength to fight illness.

Improve immunity naturally and #BeTheForce!