Better Health

 “Covid-19 cases in Indonesia are increasing again. The expert said that the COVID-19 health protocol and vaccine remained effective to prevent and minimize complications due to infection."

Tighten Health Protocols to Prevent COVID-19 Subvariants

Halodoc, Jakarta – The number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia has increased again, after the previous few months it had improved quite a bit. Currently, the COVID-19 virus consists of various variants and subvariants that have different protein compositions. So do differences in symptoms, severity, and speed of transmission.

The question is, are the health protocols (prokes) that have been implemented so far sufficient to prevent the COVID-19 subvariance?

Preventing COVID-19 Subvariance by Tightening Prokes

Many experts recommend that people continue to implement procedures as usual to prevent the COVID-19 subvariance. This includes prevention with vaccines and booster vaccines for COVID-19, if you haven't already had one. Although vaccination does not appear to be perfect in preventing infection, it is still effective in preventing the risk of hospitalization for people infected with COVID-19.

If you have a high risk of complications from COVID-19, doctors also recommend wearing a double mask when indoors.

Launching one of the national online media, the Head of the Division of Tropical Diseases and Infections at the National Central General Hospital, dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM), Dr. dr. Erni J. Nelwan, Ph.D, Sp.PD, KPTI, FACP, FINASIMP, said that implementing the health protocol was considered to be still forgiving to prevent the subvariants of COVID-19 omicron BA.4 and BA.5.

It should also be understood that whether or not the symptoms of a disease are malignant or not depend only on the virus. For example, people who have diabetes and have a weak immune system are at risk for complications in the heart and kidneys. In addition, even though they are infected with a mild virus, the symptoms they feel can be more severe compared to healthy people who are infected with the virus.

In addition to tightening procedures and carrying out booster vaccinations, it is also important to adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain body resistance. Consumption of vitamins and supplements is also needed so that the immune system is maintained.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indonesian government, vitamin consumption is an important part of treating COVID-19. Intake of certain vitamins can repair body cells damaged by viral infections.

“The need for vitamins is not only for people who are sick, but also for children in their growth period, the elderly (elderly), pregnant women, and people of productive age who work more than six hours. In order to continue to meet the needs of nutritional intake, "said dr. Erni

Symptoms of the COVID-19 Subvariant Still Consistent

Overall, the symptoms of COVID-19 subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 did not differ much from the symptoms of other Omicron variants. Meanwhile, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include:

Fever or chills.

Cough.

Hard to breathe.

Fatigue.

Muscle and body pain.

Headache.

Loss of taste in the sense of taste or loss of the ability to smell aromas (anosmia)

Sore throat.

Nasal congestion or runny nose.

Nausea or vomiting.

Diarrhea.

This COVID-19 subvariance is indeed more contagious than ever before, and there is potential for escaping the immune system. However, you can still prevent it by applying health protocols in a disciplined manner. The COVID-19 vaccination is certainly still effective in protecting yourself from serious complications caused by COVID-19.