The coronavirus disease in the country is increasing together with uncertainty, anxiety, and fear that are taking over the population. As generally known, people with low defenses are the most vulnerable, such as the elderly, diabetics, cancer patients, pregnant women, among others.

The only solution, so far, is to be calm, take hygiene measures, and be empathetic.

How to do it?

Reinforcing and strengthening the immune system with a balanced diet. Also, following the rules that have always been part of our life, but now we are just giving more emphasis and importance.

The Infectologist Julio Cachay of the Clínica Ricardo Palma says, “People at higher risk are the obese, pregnant women, diabetics and people with debilitating chronic diseases, for example, liver cirrhosis, hemodialysis or people who have pulmonary fibrosis. Then, those with immunodeficiency states such as cancer or HIV. Regarding pregnant women, the common denominator in all of them is that their immunity or defenses are lowering, therefore they have a higher risk of developing a complicated infection.”

How does this disease affect pregnant women?

They can be complicated by pneumonia, more frequently than the general population. This can have an impact on pregnancy, causing spontaneous abortions, premature births, and generating a delay in the intrauterine growth of the fetus.

What steps to take?

The preventive measures that must be followed, and above all this risk group, are constant washing of hands with soap and water, respiratory hygiene, one-meter social isolation when there are people with high breathing patterns, avoid all contact in meetings or closed environments during pregnancy and stay at home. Pregnancy itself is a state of immunodeficiency and low defenses.

What about food?

There is no magic formula. What you should do is a balanced diet and regular physical activity, which will determine that you have a healthy lifestyle.

Likewise, Dr. Cachay emphasizes that it is important to strengthen the immune system with a balanced diet composed of carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, proteins, fresh vegetables. As well as the consumption of fruits in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Note that this is not from one day to another, but it is important to have a healthy diet.

Dr. Julio Cachay 
Infectologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma