Herd Immunity, an Anticipated Way to Suppress the Spread of COVID-19

In the midst of the outbreak of Corona virus infection (COVID-19), the term "herd immunity" appears, which is said to help suppress the spread of this virus. What is meant by herd immunity and how effective are these methods to prevent transmission?

Not only in Indonesia, Corona virus infection also occurs in almost all countries. Every country has taken various measures to reduce the rapid transmission of the Corona virus, from lockdowns to mass rapid tests.

Herd Immunity, an Anticipated Way to Suppress the Spread of COVID-19

In the midst of information about COVID-19, the term "herd immunity" had emerged which was rumored to be able to end this pandemic. This term is actually not a new term in the medical field, but it is rarely known by ordinary people.

Get to know Herd Immunity

Herd immunity is a condition when most people in a group already have immunity against certain infectious diseases. The more people who are immune to a disease, the more difficult it is to spread because not many people can be infected.

The method that can be taken to get immunity in many people at once is vaccination. Take the example of polio vaccination. When a person gets the polio vaccine, his body forms specific immunity against the polio virus.

Once, when a polio virus enters that person's body, the body's immune system is ready to fight the polio virus, so the virus dies and does not cause polio. That way, the virus also cannot spread to others.

Imagine if at the same time, almost everyone in the same group as that person also had immunity against the polio virus. Of course the chance for the poliovirus to cause disease and transmission is very small.

Automatically, this condition can also provide protection to people who have not received the polio vaccine in the group, such as newborns and pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS sufferers and people who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Apart from vaccines, immunity can also be obtained naturally by people who have recovered from certain infectious diseases. After recovering from an infectious disease, the body will have antibodies to fight the germs that cause the infection if one day these germs attack again.

So, the more people who are infected and recover, the more people who are invulnerable and herd immunity will be formed. However, the formation of herd immunity naturally requires quite a long time and the risk is also not small.

Can Herd Immunity Suppress the Spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia?

Until now, there is no vaccine for the Corona virus. Researchers are still trying to develop the vaccine. So, the formation of herd immunity through vaccination cannot be done.

While the formation of herd immunity naturally by letting many people infected with the Corona virus in Indonesia is also not a wise way. For a country with more than 300 million people like Indonesia, it takes a very long time to reach herd immunity.

That's not all. Because COVID-19 can be fatal, the death toll from this infection will be very high even before herd immunity is reached. Not to mention, not a few people in Indonesia are vulnerable to Corona virus infections, for example the elderly or people with comorbidities, such as lung disease or diabetes.

These are the reasons why the concept of herd immunity cannot be expected to end the COVID-19 pandemic before the discovery of a vaccine for the Corona virus.

The best way that can be applied is to break the chain of transmission, namely by making various efforts to prevent transmission. Apply physical distancing, do regular hand washing, maintain endurance, and limit going outside the house.

Perform independent isolation if you have a fever and cough accompanied by shortness of breath, especially if in the last 2 weeks you are in a COVID-19 endemic area. After that, call the COVID-19 hotline on 119 Ext. 9 for further directions.

To find out how likely you are to be infected with Corona virus, try the free risk check feature of Corona virus provided by Alodokter. If you have questions, whether it's about symptoms or prevention of Corona virus infection, you can chat directly with the doctor on the Alodokter application. You can also make a doctor's appointment at the hospital through this application.

Label : Health cat_Health

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Information Related to Pediatricians

Image
Pediatricians or pediatricians are doctors who have a focus on the physical, mental, emotional, growth and social health of children, since they were born into adolescents, namely until the age of 18. Pediatricians are tasked with providing preventive measures for diseases in healthy children, as well as providing treatment for sick children, both acute and chronic diseases. Pediatricians begin their education by completing a General Practitioner degree, then continue their study of Specialist Medical Education Programs in the field of pediatric health to gain a Child Specialist degree. A Pediatrician is trained to be able to diagnose and treat diseases in infants, children and adolescents and evaluate the child's growth and development. Problems Handled by Pediatricians Pediatricians examine and treat various conditions in infants, children and adolescents, including: Evaluate child growth and development and detect related disorders. Provide edu
Read more

Foods That Contain Harmful Gluten? Here are the facts

Image
<==M the emergence of digestive disorders in some people after consuming food which contains gluten make this substance is considered harmful to health . However, is that right? Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat and barley. Because it is found in wheat and barley, gluten automatically is also found in foods made from these grains. Examples of foods that generally contain gluten are bread, pasta, cakes, and cereals. Is Gluten Dangerous for Everyone ? The danger of consuming foods that contain gluten actually only applies to people who have certain diseases or medical conditions, namely: 1. Celiac Disease In people who suffer from this disease, consumption of foods containing gluten will trigger inflammation and damage the surface of the small intestine, thereby interfering with the absorption of nutrients. When consuming food containing gluten, people with celiac disease can experience diarrhea, constipation, and flatulence
Read more

7 Ways to Reduce Menstrual Pain

Image
Nasal congestion often causes discomfort that interferes with activities and rest. The causes of nasal congestion can vary and this condition can affect other organs of the body, especially the ears and throat. Nasal congestion occurs when the nasal passages become swollen, it can also be accompanied by a buildup of mucus or mucus. This can make it difficult for the sufferer to breathe. Generally, nasal congestion is not a serious health problem. However, the discomfort caused by this complaint can cause sleep and eating disorders, both in children and adults. Congestion Causes Stuffy nose can be caused by various things. The following are some examples of causes of nasal congestion: Allergies Exposure to dust, pollen, and animal dander Swelling of the adenoids or soft tissue located behind the nose Sinusitis or flu Nose irritation from smells or cigarette smoke Changes in temperature and humidity Although rare, nasal congestion can also be caused by tumors and nasal p
Read more