Coronavirus and Lyme Disease: How to Protect Yourself
As COVID-19, the newest form of the Coronavirus sweeps the world, those who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of developing severe illness. For Lyme patients, this means heightened levels of precaution against contracting the illness.
While there a lot of conflicting information and much to learn about the virus, this article will explain known facts, precautionary measures, and how Lyme patients can deal with the Coronavirus crisis.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and this work has not been reviewed by a doctor or the CDC. All views are reflective of my personal research and experience and should not be taken in lieu of medical advice. I do not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness.
What is COVID-19?
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes Coronaviruses as a large family of viruses that are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like SARS. Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the newest known form of Coronavirus to cause illness in humans.
Are Lyme patients more susceptible to COVID-19?
Because COVID-19 is a new disease, information and facts are still being uncovered as to how the disease manifests in humans.
There is no definitive information on whether those with Lyme are specifically at more risk. But across the board, health authorities know that those who are immunocompromised are more likely to develop severe illness. This means contracting Coronavirus while battling Lyme disease puts you in the higher-risk category for becoming very sick or even dying from the virus.
How to avoid contracting (and spreading) Coronavirus
Here is a shortlist of things you can have and do that will help you avoid contracting COVID-19.
Social Distancing
I think most Lyme patients have the upper hand on this one! Please don't forget that you do not need symptoms to transmit this virus! These lockdown measures should not be treated as a vacation. Please shelter in place. When outside do your best to keep at least 6 feet from other people and avoid any physical contact. Only go out when absolutely necessary.
Clean Surfaces Often
The Coronavirus can live on surfaces like hair, clothing, and hard surfaces for up to 3 days. Clean and disinfect high-traffic surfaces daily such as tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks, and don’t forget your cellphone!
Wash Hands, Body and Clothing
It’s always a good idea to do a tick check after coming in from outside, and take a shower as well as change and wash your clothes often.
Proper handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid contracting the virus, so you should do it often. It’s especially important to wash your hands after using the restroom, eating, or being in contact with others.
Disinfectant Spray
If you can’t find any commercial disinfectant due to grocery stores being pillaged, you can make your own at home. The CDC recommends a solution of 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water.
White vinegar, essential oils, and baking soda are my favorite cleaners, however, these have not been tested, and only registered disinfectants are recommended to be used to kill COVID-19.
For a full list of approved disinfectants, click here.
Masks
Commercial masks are in seriously short supply in the US so their use should be limited to those who are sick and those working to care for a sick person.
I have been using a reusable Vogmask for many years to protect myself from pathogens, pollution, and allergens. These are also in short supply, so you can make your own fabric mask. It should be noted that wearing an N95 mask does not fully protect you from contracting the virus while out in public.
Remember to wash your hands just before putting on and taking off your mask to prevent it from becoming contaminated.
What Lyme patients can do if they’ve been exposed to Coronavirus
While contracting Coronavirus while battling Lyme disease could be a losing combination, there are a few things you can do that may help stave-off serious illness.
Multiple sources site that the Coronavirus may linger in our mucous membranes of the throat and sinuses and slow drainage could allow it to reach the bloodstream or lungs.
For this reason, drinking warm fluids throughout the day, flushing the nasal pathways, gargling with warm salt water, and practicing breathwork may theoretically flush any virus in the mucous membranes into the stomach, where it can be neutralized by stomach acid.
I recommend gargling with warm salt water, flushing the sinuses, and practice breathwork daily at home.
Boosting immunity doesn’t hurt.
Supporting your immune system will not stop you from contracting or becoming a carrier of COVID-19. However, by strengthening your immune system, you stand a far better chance of fending off serious illnesses of any kind.
Here are some of my recommendations for supporting your immune system:
Essential Oils
If you’ve been following me a while, you’ll know I’m all about essential oils! They are considered one of the oldest and most potent forms of plant medicine.
Essential oils are naturally occurring compounds found in different parts of a plant. Massive amounts of seeds, stems, leaves, flowers, barks or roots are steam distilled, cold-pressed, or solvent extracted to produce one bottle of essential oil. Just like different plants have different properties, so do their essential oils.
You can read my top ten recommend essential oils for immune support here>>
Sleep
We all know we don’t sleep enough. But beyond just getting enough sleep, it’s about maximizing that sleep. Things like not drinking alcohol, keeping your phone off an hour before sleeping and making sure you keep your sleeping environment dark are important to getting better-quality sleep.
Gentle Movement
The body was made for movement! Staying stagnant for long periods can impact the physical and emotional body. Gentle movement every few hours will increase blood flow, oxygen, and energy! Just a few minutes of gentle stretching can move stagnant energy and give the day a new perspective. If a walk is unavailable, try some simple yoga postures like reclined twists, and cat-cow that can be done in bed to get your body moving.
Breathwork
Most adults suffer from poor posture and taking short shallow breathes throughout the day. This can cause a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms from digestive issues, to cognitive dysfunction, and everything in between. When we utilize the diaphragm, and breathe into the belly we can fill the lungs fully to provide every cell in the body with fresh oxygen. When we are breathing well every system of the body benefits.
Join me for a short 10-minute Pranayama breathing exercise here >>
Other risks to Lyme patients
There are some other indirect ways that COVID-19 can affect those with Lyme disease. Please take the time to understand these risks and do what you can to mitigate them.
Stress
The fear surrounding the Coronavirus combined with daily challenges of Lyme disease adds to our stress. Unintended or added stressors may trigger a relapse in Lyme symptoms. Here are two of my favorite ways to manage stress:
Practice self-care and practice it often.
Taking care of your emotional, physical and spiritual needs is paramount to feeling better and being able to cope with the inevitable slopes you will
Journaling. With the stress of chronic illness, and our eyes glued to COVID-19 news and social media, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Taking a few minutes each day to connect with ourselves can have profound effects on our mood and mindset.
Find a comfortable seat, grab a journal or piece of paper, and set a timer for 10 minutes. Close the eyes, take a few deep breaths, and blink open the eyes once you feel centered.
Start writing! Don't stop until the timer goes off. Let yourself write whatever comes to mind or use journal prompts to help you get the pen moving.
Isolation
Forced isolation might be what's best for our physical wellbeing right now, but it let’s face it, even introverts feel the weight of extended solitude.
Stay connected to people through phone, video calls, and social media. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people now more than ever. (If you’re looking for a great Facebook group join us in Empowered Lyme Ease community!)
Creating a routine for yourself will keep you more occupied during the day and find new things to learn or do that will spark some fun. YouTube and Pinterest are great resources for learning how to do new things like painting, cooking, baking, crafting and more.
Access to medical treatment for Lyme
Depending on where you live, whether you are sick or not, and what your medical team is doing during the outbreak, you may have more trouble getting to your regular medical treatments/appointments.
It’s recommended delaying routine and non-critical appointments as Coronavirus continues to spread. Phone your doctor’s office before your appointment to see what they recommend for immunocompromised patients (and confirm they are open!).
Do not delay acute or critical care needs! Health care officials are urging people to continue to seek treatment for critical and acute needs as soon as possible.
And remember this is temporary. If your extended care practitioners are not available for routine appointments, see who is offering services through video conferencing or reschedule for a time they plan to be back.
As the situation unfolds, there will no doubt be more information available on how Coronavirus will affect our health and our daily lives.
Managing chronic illness while dealing with the fallout of COVID-19 is no doubt challenging. Keep yourself informed, but don’t spiral down a rabbit-hole of internet fear while staying informed. Nurture your mental and physical well-being.
I hope you found this information helpful! For more information on Lyme disease, prevention, and holistic treatment options check out my new book, The Lyme Ease Survival Guidebook designed to separate the facts from fiction to educate and empower Lyme patients.
