As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, concerns about respiratory viruses have risen sharply. Before this global health crisis, such concerns were at their lowest levels since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the 2012 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Both of these previous outbreaks were contained before they could cause widespread damage.
In comparison, the biggest health risks to individuals at the end of the twentieth century were heart disease and cancer. The World Health Organisation has declared that diabetes has now entered the top 10 causes of death globally, following a huge 70% increase since 2000.
While some health problems cannot be prevented, such as genetic disorders or certain types of cancer, there are huge educational programmes that raise awareness of actions we can take to reduce our risk. Early diagnosis remains a key factor in the severity of such diseases.
Some infections can be caught simply by breathing. These are known as ‘airborne viruses’ and although it is hard to completely avoid airborne pathogens, there are some effective ways at lowering the risk of infection and getting symptoms that subsequently result in illness.
COVID-19 is primarily spread through exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person coughing or sneezing in close proximity to others. However there are some simple measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of transmission. These include covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, maintaining a safe distance from others (at least 6 feet) and regular hand washing which has always been, and remains, one of the most effective methods of disease control.
As the virus spread exponentially, the scale and speed of the COVID-19 pandemic took everybody by surprise. Many governments scrambled to find suitable ways to protect against and stop the spread of the virus. Testing and contact tracing plans were unsuccessfully implemented, leading to a delayed response in identifying cases and quarantining those affected. Face masks and social distancing rules were implemented, causing widespread chaos and disruption to daily life as we knew it.
There were strong emotive reactions to the enforced mask-wearing and social distancing policies, as civil liberties felt eroded and individual choices had been removed. Today all enforced measures have been removed and the majority of people no longer consciously take protective measures. Unless there is a particular health reason for worrying about catching an airborne virus most of us don’t really give it a second thought until we actually get ill, but the financial impact of not being able to work, the impact onour mental health of again missing out on plans, can be a tangible consequence of contracting an airborne virus.
There is no cure the common cold, flu and COVID-19, only medical interventions to treat severe symptoms. There is however the common phrase that ‘prevention is better than cure.’ The idea that you can pre-emptively protect yourself from illness before it happens is called prophylaxis and is a principle being increasing implemented by our NHS. For decades you have been able to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections by using condoms which are regularly called prophylactics. More novel is the principle you can help protect yourself from contracting airborne cold and flu viruses, by using nasal sprays.
BioSURE PRO Protective Nasal Spray’s patent protected formula contains a molecule called ELAH (Ethyl Lauroyl Arginine Hydrochloride) which has been safely used for decades in certain mouthwashes to block bacterial growth in your mouth. The same award-winning scientists that developed the certain mouthwash are the team responsible for the development of BioSURE PRO, so you can be confident it is safe and effective.
In a 2018 white paper published by the English Department of Health & Social Care, it was stated that it is of huge importance to “see a greater investment in prevention – to support people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives, and help to guarantee our health and social care services for the long-term[1]”.
So, we all have our part to play in our own preventative health care and building an all-round healthier community. Developing healthy habits can make us feel better, look better and live longer. We all know about eating healthily, taking exercise, limiting stress and getting enough sleep – and we are all aware that we all always have a choice in the actions we take. Lots of us take daily vitamins to assist our wellbeing and now we can add a daily nasal spray to block viruses.
So why not protect yourself before you get ill?
Take control of you today and feel your best tomorrow
[1]https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/753688/Prevention_is_better_than_cure_5-11.pdf