This archive report was first published on 4 June 2020.
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, experts are sounding the alarm on the potential unintended consequences of our efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
According to immunologists, measures such as frequent handwashing and sanitizing, coupled with stay-at-home orders, could reduce our immunity, particularly for those with underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Immunologist Geoffrey Kulabusia notes that while handwashing is essential in preventing the spread of certain diseases, the Covid-19 interventions could have a negative effect on people with underlying conditions.
“When a person is reconditioned to an environment they are not used to, the body immediately reacts by producing stress hormones within the first six hours. Production of this hormone increases, depending on the person’s condition,” he says.
Dr. Kulabusia also points out that many of the sanitisers and soaps being used are harsh to the skin, making it more prone to infections, and that repeated hand-washing can erode the skin’s natural protective micro-organisms, making it vulnerable to infections.
However, Dr. Lukoye Atwoli, associate professor of psychiatry at the Moi University School of Medicine, disagrees, stating that sanitizing and staying at home will not have any negative consequences on immunity, as long as people are eating well, exercising, and sleeping well.
