Abstracto

The COVID-19 infection and the immune system: The role of complementary and alternative medicines

Mebaksh Nilashi, Sarminah Samad, Leila Shahmoadi, Hossein Ahmadi, Elnaz Akbari, Tarik A Rashid1

Emerging in China in late 2019, the new COVID-19 virus infection epidemic is growing rapidly and new cases are reported around the world. The first cases were linked to a wet market, and subsequently, the virus has spread rapidly in China through human-to-human transmission, and the universal impact of the COVID-19 virus is now spreading worldwide. The disease originated from COVID19 is a type of viral pneumonia that is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Currently, no clinically approved antiviral drugs have been introduced for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Identifying the mechanism of action of the virus and its interaction with the immune system will help prevent and treat the disease. In other words, understanding the disease and its effect on the immune system will improve disease management. The immune system has a fundamental protective function against most infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates the effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs) in boosting immune response against infection diseases. The role of vitamins in COVID-19 in its early stages is also investigated and the previous research findings are reported. The result of this study is important especially for the patients with COVID-19 who may found CAMs as effective way in boosting immune response against this virus and useful option for management and treatment of COVID-19 in its early stages. We suggest that further studies through consumers’ experience analysis on CAMs are required to come to robust conclusions in the effectiveness of CAMs for management and treatment of COVID-19.