Viruses can mutate? Here are some facts about the COVID-19 Delta Variant and how you can protect yourself from it.
Related: 5 Boosters You Can Take To Improve Your Immune System
In the years 1918 and 1919, a swine influenza struck North America that spread into a global pandemic. According to the Stanford Education archives, the virus infected an estimate of 500 million people worldwide and killed around 100 million. A millennium later in the year 2007, there was an outbreak in the Philippines. Many Filipinos were asked to stop buying pork from the market, because of potential infection. The Philippine National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) raised a hog cholera “red alert” warning over Metro Manila and five regions of Luzon.
Apparently, the H1N1 virus that spread around the metro was found to be of the same nature as the swine influenza in 1918. After much research, it was confirmed that it was indeed a direct mutation of the Spanish influenza that killed millions.
The events that occurred in the Spanish influenza is a preview of what’s to come for the 1965 coronavirus that later mutated to become the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s the thing about viruses, much like us, it also fights to stay alive. Sometimes, they settle down for a while and come back out in a new form. This is why we see so many mutations and variations of them. Recently, the Delta variant came into the spotlight, which created widespread panic for citizens everywhere. For most of us, we might see it as a horrible, unexpected occurrence, but scientists and researchers knew it was bound to happen.
According to the Department of Health, there are four known variants, namely: Delta, Alpha, Beta, and Theta. In their records, the most recent cases are found to be the Delta Variant. They were from two Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) with travel history from Saudi Arabia. After being put on a 10-day isolation hold, the two have been tagged recovered and released. In the event, that new variants come about during the ongoing pandemic. It’s important to follow tried and tested safety procedures that we have come to embed in our daily routine.
So, if it’s an inevitable force of nature, then how can we stop it? The short answer is we can’t, but we can definitely preventive ourselves from acquiring it.
Social distancing
For as long as COVID-19 remains rampant in the Philippines, it would be best for all of us to continue to quarantine and socially distance ourselves from people. As far as research goes, the Delta variant is still spreads the same way COVID-19 does, but faster, so we need to keep distant.
Wearing a mask
If there’s any chance at all to be infected, it’s through our nose or our mouth. When these two ports are closed off from infection, we have a lower chance of contracting the variant.
Staying hygienic
Washing your hands, showering everyday, and changing your clothes once you get home shouldn’t be done only during a pandemic. These acts are signs of hygiene. Leading a cleaner life will definitely keep you away from attracting viruses.
Exercising frequently
There are so many benefits of constantly exercising. You boost your immune system, metabolism, and so many other factors when you do so. If you want to have a strong body against viruses, then you have to pump up your immunity through exercise.
Getting vaccinated
The number one thing that helps ward off viruses are vaccines. If you’re already vaccinated but the vaccine did not contain properties that fight the Delta variant, then consult your doctor to get boosted again. Vaccines work in different ways. Some of us need to get shot annually, while other vaccines were administered when we were kids.
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