Basrah - College of Pharmacy Media:
The College of Pharmacy at the University of Basrah held a scientific symposium titled "Coronavirus." The symposium covered the epidemiology of the zoonotic coronavirus infection, from its initial transmission to humans in Wuhan, central China, through its spread across the world to the regional area and the diagnosis of cases in Iraq. Its symptoms range from mild, similar to a common cold, to severe, including acute pneumonia that can lead to death.
The symposium explained the methods of disease transmission, which occur through respiratory secretions and contaminated surfaces. Due to the lack of a cure, the symposium urged everyone to follow preventive measures such as: regular handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer, avoiding direct contact with infected individuals, wearing protective masks in crowded places, avoiding rubbing the eyes and nose without washing hands beforehand, and using tissues when sneezing and coughing, or coughing into a flexed elbow.
The symposium also clarified that due to the absence of a vaccine or treatment for the epidemic, methods of immune boosting through vitamins and minerals were discussed, according to the recommendations of the Canadian Academy of Nutrition. These contribute to strengthening immunity for prevention or can be given to infected individuals to reduce the severity of the infection. Among these vitamins and minerals are: Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Zinc, and Selenium.
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