When someone sneezes, about 20,000 little droplets containing viruses are projected through the air. For viruses like COVID-19 to spread, it has to be propelled in the air, and you have to come in contact with it. Certain viruses target certain tissues. The coronavirus targets the lungs. Some viruses go dormant and wait until you’re older, weakened, nutritionally deficient, or stressed, and then they come out. This could be why many people get a virus outbreak during stress states.
Susceptibility factors for Disease:
To be immunologically fit, you need to be physically fit. Doing exercise helps to lower the level of your stress hormones, like cortisol. Doing more exercise at home or in the dorm, is needed to boost your immune system.
The factor that you have the most control over is your nutrient intake. Getting the right nutrients can influence your immune system and even stress.
Two things happen when you have nutritional deficiencies:
Feeding your body certain foods may help to keep your immune system strong. Micronutrients essential to fighting infection include vitamins A, C, D and E, selenium and zinc.
Here are 7 powerful immune system boosters:
Foods are not enough for the immune system!
Here are five tips to help you to cope emotional eating in a response to coronavirus;
HEALTHY SNACKS:
You might find yourself closer to the fridge and snacking a little more than usual. It’s important to make sure your snacks are nutrient rich to support your immune system.
Here are some ideas for quick, easy and healthy snacks:
How about making a healthy cake?
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Please contact covid19@yeditepe.edu.tr for more information and support.
Our Dear Academics, Administrative Staff and Students,
As we paused our education due to the COVID-19 pandemic by the decision of the Council of Higher Education by 16 March 2020, we have also been informed by the Council of Higher Education on 19 March 2020 that we may continue our education remotely as of 23 March 2020.
Our university has started the coordination efforts to enable this transition as efficiently and smoothly as possible. In this process, with the contributions of all our educational staff, the following rules of procedures have been adopted starting 23 March 2020:
We wish you all good health, success and happiness in this process, which is new for all of us.
Rectorate
NOV 26
SİS 2020 - VI. International Healthcare Communications Symposium
Click for detailed information and registration.
SEP 30
Complex Coronary Intervention, Recorded Case Presentations
JUL 17
Think Talks - Podcast and Social Media Trends
JUL 13
Culture and art, heals! The first industry to get affected by any political, economic, epidemic or natural disaster in the country are culture and art events. First, events start to cancel, tickets are not sold, artists fall into silence and solitude. However, art is not an uncontrolled entertainment tool. Art is an effect. It brings us together with nature and cooling us in the shadow of the truth, deepening our understanding and love. Art is like a voice, a breath that will remind us of ourselves whenever we forget to touch life. In this uncertain period, focusing on playing a musical instrument, reading a book, watching a documentary, listening to an orchestra, reading a poem, dancing, looking at the sky will balance us and will be an occasion to meet our inner house at home.
By following the Instagram account of Yeditepe Culture and Art Department, you may view their posts regarding culture and art.
Recommendation of Art and Culture Office
Theatre
Opera / Ballet
Music
Dance
Exhibition / Museums
Virtual Museum Tours in Turkey
Documentary
Short Film
Film
Programme
Documentary
Animation
Turkish Movie
Fiction / Cinema
Nostalgia
Musical Drama
Open Air Cinema
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that spreads through direct contact with an infected person and droplets but touching your mouth, nose and eyes after touching an infected surface can also cause infection.1 According to recent data it is unlikely to get infected by touching the food prepared at home, eating at the restaurants or contacting with ordered products.2,3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports no COVID-19 cases thought to be related to foods, food packages or shopping bags. However there are some prevention methods to minimize the infection risk and to prevent foodborne illnesses.4
Best precaution to eliminate infection risk is to practice proper hand hygiene. Hands must be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds with proper technique before and after shopping, after receiving food delivery, before preparing meal and before eating meal. After shopping, all food packages must be removed and disposed in a garbage can with a lid.2,3,4 Canned food containers must be cleaned before opening the lid.3,5
According to American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) National Poison Data System (NPDS) there is a significant increase in poisoning cases related to disinfectants and cleaning agents during COVID-19 pandemic. According to a survey conducted with 502 adult USA citizens by CDC in May 2020, 39% of the respondents reported engaging in at least one of the high-risk practices that is not recommended by CDC with the intent of preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission. 19% of the respondents reported using bleach for disinfection of fresh produces.6
Fresh produces must not be cleaned and disinfected with chemicals such as bleach or soap.5 Due to the porous structure of many produces, these chemicals can be absorbed which will cause a change in taste and safety of the produce.7 For this reason cleaning the fresh produce under running cold water is the most favorable way. Same application can be used for the produces with inedible rind. Produces with firm rind can be brushed with an appropriate brush.3,5 Food packages must not be cleaned and disinfected with chemicals such as bleach.3,8,9 If desired, packages can be wiped down and air dryed as an extra precaution.5
It is enough for utensils, pots and pans used in preparation and consumption of foods to be cleaned and sanitized in the dishwasher with a hot rinse cycle. In the absence of dishwasher, water and dish soap should be used for cleaning and sanitizing.8 Kitchen counters must be cleaned and disinfected frequently with appropriate cleaning products and disinfected surfaces must be rinsed before preparing food.5
Referanslar
1 WHO, COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance For Food Businesses, 11.09.2020 tarihinde https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331705/WHO-2019-nCoV-Food_Safety-2020.1-eng.pdf adresinden erişilmiştir.
2 CDC, Running Errands, 11.09.2020 tarihinde https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/essential-goods-services.html adresinden erişilmiştir.
3 UNICEF, Handling And Preparing Food, 11.09.2020 tarihinde https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/cleaning-and-hygiene-tips-help-keep-coronavirus-covid-19-out-your-home#food adresinden erişilmiştir.
4 CDC, Food Safety, 11.09.2020 tarihinde https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/food-and-COVID-19.html adresinden erişilmiştir.
5 FDA, Shopping for Food During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Information for Consumers, 11.09.2020 tarihinde https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/shopping-food-during-covid-19-pandemic-information-consumers adresinden erişilmiştir.
6 CDC, Knowledge and Practices Regarding Safe Household Cleaning and Disinfection for COVID-19 Prevention, 16.09.2020 tarihinde https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6923e2.htm?s_cid=mm6923e2_w#F2_down adresinden erişilmiştir.
7 United States Department of Agriculture, Guide to Washing Fresh Produce, 16.09.2020 tarihinde https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/Guide%20to%20Washing%20Fresh%20Produce508.pdf adresinden erişilmiştir.
8 BC Center For Disease Control, Cleaning and Disinfecting, 11.09.2020 tarihinde http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/cleaning-and-disinfecting adresinden erişilmiştir.
9 UC Davis Health, How To Safely Grocery Shop During Coronavirus (COVID-19), 11.09.2020 tarihinde, https://health.ucdavis.edu/good-food/blog/grocery-shopping-during-covid19.html adresinden erişilmiştir.
(You can reach all of the articles published by Yeditepe University Pharmaceutical and Poison Advisory Unit by clicking the PEPIRC / YIZDA section under the "Research" title found on the navigation bar.)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated the importance of cleaning and disinfecting visibly dirty surfaces in household and community areas to protect against respiratory diseases caused by COVID-19 and other viral infections1. Especially frequently contacted surfaces such as door handles, tables, chairs, handrails, bathroom and kitchen surfaces, toilets, light switches, telephones, computers, keyboards, remote controls and toys should be regularly cleaned and disinfected.2. However, dangers that may arise from mixing different cleaning products can be ignored with the concern of virus protection3.
Bleaches are disinfectant, stain remover and mold remover cleaning products that contain sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium carbonate peroxide4. Mixing bleach with acidic cleaning products such as vinegar, dishwasher detergent, tub and tile cleaning products, toilet bowl cleaners, drain openers and rust removers would result in chlorine gas release3,4,5. Exposure to chlorine gas causes blurry vision, burning pain, redness and swelling on the skin, burning sensation on the nose, throat and eyes, coughing, chest tightness, difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes, wheezing, and fluid buildup in lungs in later periods6. Mixing bleach with ammonia containing cleaning products such as glass and window cleaners, interior and exterior paints causes chloramine gas release. Urine also contains ammonia; therefore cleaning litter boxes and toilet bowls with bleach must be done carefully. Exposure to this released gas causes nausea, cough, chest tightness, watery eyes, chest pain, irritation on throat, nose and eyes, wheezing, lung inflammations, and fluid buildup in lungs5. Mixing bleach with alcohol-containing products (ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) causes chloroform release3. Inhalation of chloroform causes chest tightness, irritation on nose and throat, excitation, nausea and vomiting, ataxia, dizziness, and drowsiness. Exposure to high concentrations of chloroform causes convulsion, coma and death due to respiratory arrest and irregular heartbeat. Liver dysfunction and kidney damage can be seen after a few days subsequently to healing after exposure7. Mixing hydrogen peroxide-containing products with acidic products causes the release of corrosive gases. Mixing hydrogen peroxide with vinegar releases peroxyacetic acid gas and inhalation of it causes irritation on the nose, throat and lungs and chest tightness. Exposure to high doses causes a liquid buildup in the lungs and serious chest tightness that requires immediate medical care8.
References
(You can reach all of the articles published by Yeditepe University Pharmaceutical and Poison Advisory Unit by clicking the PEPIRC / YIZDA section under the "Research" title found on the navigation bar.)
One of the most effective method for decreasing the spreading rate of COVID-19 is to regularly wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. In conditions where there is no access to soap and water, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using alcohol based hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl alcohol)1. Using hand sanitizers is a cheap and effective method against microorganisms on our skin but ingestion or inappropriate usage can be linked with various health risks2.
Ingestion of alcohol based hand sanitizers can lead to alcohol poisoning. Especially products with fragrance, colorful and attractive packaging is more likely to be swallowed by children3. A research conducted in United States of America between 2011-2014 has shown 70,669 cases of poisoning in children due to alcohol based and non-alcohol based hand sanitizers and 91% of these cases are reported to be seen in 0-5 age group2. American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) has reported that from January 1, 2020 through July 12, 2020 there is an increase of 51% in the number of cases related to hand sanitizer poisoning compared to the same period in 2019. Children in the 0-5 age group had the highest incidence of poisoning compared to other age groups by a wide margin4. To prevent poisoning in children due to hand sanitizers, these products must be kept away from children’s reach and should be used with the supervision of an adult3.
Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol used in hand sanitizers can cause irritation on skin and eyes when in contact with the skin and prolonged usage can lead to dryness, redness, itching and cracking of the skin. Ingestion of ethanol containing hand sanitizers can cause nausea, vomiting, stomachache and central nervous system depression in various stages. Ingestion of 360 ml of ethanol based hand sanitizer can be life threatening for adults. Ingestion of hand sanitizers prepared with isopropyl alcohol can lead to central nervous system depression, decrease in respiratory drive, hypotension, irritation on gastrointestinal system, gastritis, hypoglycaemia and respiratory depression. Ingestion of 100-200 ml of 70% isopropyl alcohol solution can cause death5.
Another important point about hand sanitizers is the potential hazards due to production of hand sanitizers at home. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that hand sanitizers must not be produced and used at home for any reason as these products can be ineffective or even harmful if prepared improperly by emphasizing cases of skin burns caused by improperly produced hand sanitizers at home during COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to that disinfectant sprays and wipes used for surface cleaning must not be used for personal cleaning as these products can cause severe irritation on skin and eyes1.
REFERENCES
(You can reach all of the articles published by Yeditepe University Pharmaceutical and Poison Advisory Unit by clicking the PEPIRC / YIZDA section under the "Research" title found on the navigation bar.)