Vitamin D Deficiency Worsens Disease Severity, Increased Amount Protects Against H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2

Vitamin D has been found to be a significant nutrient which could naturally protect mice from the health hazards posed by the H1N1 virus and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), according to a new study.

The new research highlights the importance of vitamin D against respiratory infections and the reason why its role was previously overlooked.

Vitamin D Deficiency

In a new paper published in the journal bioRxiv on Thursday, June 30, scientists found that vitamin D supplementation has resulted in improved outcomes concerning respiratory virus infection.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been considered by the study to have contributed to the renewed interest in understanding the potential role of vitamin D in protecting our lungs from viral infections.

With this, the new study led by the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in the United States evaluated vitamin D through animal models of H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice.

Also Read: COVID-19, SARS,MERS, Influenza and Other Viral Outbreaks Compared

H1N1 Flu Symptoms

The H1N1 flu, also called swine flu, spread around the world in 2009, forcing the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it as a pandemic. Several years back prior to its global outbreak, the virus received its alternative name since most human infections were reported to had direct contact with pigs, according to WebMD.

Swine flu is a preventable and a treatable disease due to the previous development of a vaccine against it. Health experts recommend that an annual flu vaccine or flu shot is recommended. The H1N1 flu is caused by the H1N1 strain of the flu virus or influenza virus.

With this, the transmission of H1N1 flu is similar to seasonal flu and COVID-19, wherein the virus jumps from one host into another through coughing or sneezing via tiny droplets into the air.

The common swine flu symptoms are the following, as summarized by WebMD:

Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Runny nose
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue

Patients with respiratory problems, including pneumonia, lung infection, and breathing difficulties can experience severe symptoms and potential health complications of the H1N1 virus.

COVID-19 Pandemic

SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, is a relatively new pathogen strain when it comes to the limelight of pathogens that has affected the world in the 21^st century.

Declared by the WHO as a pandemic in March 2020, COVID-19 has been deemed to be more deadly and disruptive compared to swine flu, especially prior to vaccine development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused international travel restrictions and placed multiple countries worldwide in a state of temporary lockdown.

Similar to the H1N1 flu, the WHO said COVID-19 transmission can spread from an infected person's mouth or nose through small liquid particles.

The organization outlines the following COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of several mutations that the virus underwent in the past two years:

Sore throat
Headache
Aches and pains
Diarrhea
Skin rash
Finger or toe discoloration
Red or irritated eyes

According to the Johns Hopkins University (JHU), there have been a total of 550 million confirm cases of COVID-19 worldwide and 6.3 million related deaths as of Tuesday, July 5.