COVID-19: Perspective of traditional medical care in prevention of communicable diseases

Abstract

The communicable diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, measles, plague, flu, Ebola, and coronaviruses are contagious in nature and mostly caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They generally spread through air, direct contact with contaminated surfaces, body fluids, blood, and respiratory droplets. Recently, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease-2019 as a worldwide pandemic disease. The coronavirus is an enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome virus that causes respiratory tract infections in humans, birds, and bats. A definite treatment for this disease is not yet available, and the disease is spreading continuously worldwide. It is challenging for healthcare fraternity to restrain its spread. The traditional medical care may be helpful, so it is needed to explore the herbal sources to combat this pandemic situation. Thorough study of Ayurveda literature, Various indications find regarding prevention of communicable diseases. The ancient Ayurveda and traditional care have description of epidemic, along with their management, under the heading Janapadodhwamsa (Mahamari) with their management. Furthermore, categorization of the Aoupasargik Roga/Sankramak Roga indicates the significance attributed to contagious nature of these communicable diseases. Appropriate lifestyle measures such as good personal conduct, balanced nutritious diet, and guided social behavior would complement to prevent the spread of these diseases. This is an attempt to briefly review the role of traditional medical care in preventing the spread of communicable diseases.