Coronavirus and the Sun: a Lesson from the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Medium ^ | 3/10/2020 | Richard Hobday

[Dr. Marten]

When new, virulent diseases emerge, such SARS and Covid-19, the race begins to find new vaccines and treatments for those affected. As the current crisis unfolds, governments are enforcing quarantine and isolation, and public gatherings are being discouraged. Health officials took the same approach 100 years ago, when influenza was spreading around the world. The results were mixed. But records from the 1918 pandemic suggest one technique for dealing with influenza — little-known today — was effective. Some hard-won experience from the greatest pandemic in recorded history could help us in the weeks and months ahead.

[TigerClaws]

Group of doctors wrote this.

https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/howard-j-luks-joel-topf-ethan-j-weiss-wendy-sue-swanson-bryan-vartabedian-carrie-diulus-nancy-yen-shipley-eric-levi

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"Research shows that outdoor air is a natural disinfectant. Fresh air can kill the flu virus and other harmful germs. Equally, sunlight is germicidal and there is now evidence it can kill the flu virus."

"outdoor air is a natural disinfectant. Fresh air can kill the flu virus and other harmful germs." Huh?

[BlackAdderess]

Vitamin D is also a very good thing for respiratory systems and for reducing inflammation.

[TigerClaws]

HEAT killed other viruses. A few stories we have no idea if that works with COVID19 and will find out.

[FreedomForce]

Here’s the paper that article references(it’s footnote #5). Seems quite a leap from the paper to the conclusion drawn in the article.

https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/docserver/fulltext/micro/51/3/mic-51-3-353.pdf?expires=1584312747&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=4DDA015FEED5DBB94FAB7959C526EF85

[mistfree]

Just told my wife that if I catch “lung pow sickin” She needs to put me in our outdoor hot tub on a regular basis. Fresh air, sunshine and a heavy dose of chlorine. I’ll be healthy in no time.

[TexasGator]

“HEAT killed other viruses. “

Temperature

[TigerClaws]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/12/asia/coronavirus-flu-weather-temperature-intl-hnk/index.html

[Slainte]

And exposure to sunlight allows the skin to make vitamin D- win win.

[Svartalfiar]

"outdoor air is a natural disinfectant. Fresh air can kill the flu virus and other harmful germs." Huh?

Sure, sunlight is great at killing germs, as well as the natural VitD boost. Fresh air is just what happens when you're out getting sunlight...

[rfp1234]

Dilute, yes. Kill, I have no idea how it would do that.

[Ragnar54]

No, it's not fresh air. No, sunlight is not germicidal for a lung infection.

A google search using “influenza vitamin d nih” returns a number of articles with evidence of vitamin D being effective against the flu virus. There has been speculation that “warm weather” might stop the coronavirus. Of course, “warm weather” means “more sunshine”, which has been documented to cause seasonal increases in serum levels of vitamin D. Taking supplementary vitamin D as a precaution is probably prudent. I take 5000-7000 IU per day, and have avoided the flu for years.

Vitamin D and Influenza—Prevention or Therapy?

Vitamin D for influenza

There are multiple articles along these lines. Also,

Mayo Clinic Q and A: How much vitamin D do I need?

"Mayo Clinic recommends that adults get at least the RDA of 600 IU. However, 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D from a supplement is generally safe, should help people achieve an adequate blood level of vitamin D, and may have additional health benefits. While there are no guidelines for checking your vitamin D blood level, it may be prudent in people with osteoporosis or certain other health conditions. Discuss with your health care provider if it may be beneficial to check your vitamin D level."

The current "shelter in place" (hide from the virus) approach won't work forever. Eventually, it will be everywhere. The alternate approach is to aggressively strengthen your immune system.

[elteemike]

A doctor friend and my brother who’s a PhD microbiologist both told me about “The Vitamin D Hammer”...

If I start to feel something coming on, will try this...

https://vitamindanswers.com/vitamin-d-hammer-beating-the-flu-in-72-hours/

[aimhigh]

So, basically, global warming is going to save us from the coronavirus.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

I’ve used the vitamin d3 hammer twice against flu.

Worked twice...

Symptoms very mild and lasted 2 or 3 days.

No big deal.

I did the 50,000 day version.

[daniel1212]

What should be common sense. A wrong treatment is to quarantine sick patience inside together without warm fresh air coming thru.

[bitt]

p

[urtax$@work]

So...… If the above article is correct, shouldn’t sun-belters have the lowest flu-rate and/or fastest recovery...?

[Dr. Marten]

Perhaps, if they place their sick in the sun?