COVID-19, the respiratory illness triggered by the novel strain of coronavirus termed as SARS-CoV-2, has spread at a rather quick pace amongst the global population, ever since it was first detected in a subset of people who had visited a wet market in Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, in December 2019.

The coronavirus disease is infectious or contagious in nature, meaning it can be dispersed from an afflicted patient to a healthy person by direct contact, via air droplets containing the deadly virus. Owing to this factor, coupled with the current unavailability of preventive vaccines and strategic treatment approaches to combat COVID-19, strict lockdowns have been imposed in countries across the world. Also Read: Coronavirus: Effective Ways To Prevent The Transmission Of This Deadly Disease

Amidst all the chaos that has ensued, what with working from home, often running out of essential commodities be it food or medicine and having to keep kids at home occupied all day long, one should keep in mind that bolstered immunity and uplifted health are of utmost importance, to stay disease-free and safeguard the wellness of family members.

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Displaying symptoms of cough, cold, sore throat, fever and breathing difficulties, it is quite natural to assume that coronavirus disease affects only the lungs and other parts in the upper respiratory tract. But this is far from the truth. The SARS-CoV-2 virus exhibits lethal pathogenic traits, causing severe infection not only in the lungs but also the failure of other key organs in the body, such as the liver, kidneys, heart and even the brain.

And certain negative influences and addictive habits, like drinking and smoking, could make these central bodily organs highly vulnerable to coronavirus infection. So now is as good a time as any, to start following your new year resolutions, in case you've conveniently transferred them to next year's list, of giving up certain unhealthy practices and improving your overall well-being. Read on, to understand how addictions affect your system and why it is crucial to quit these bad habits, in order to lead a fit and healthy life.

5 Customary Fixations To Stop Right Away, To Avert The Risk Of COVID-19:

Smoking Tobacco

Inhaling smoke emanating from cigarettes regularly damages the tubular tissues in the lungs, frequently resulting in breathing trouble, emphysema, cancer and other pulmonary disorders. In addition, the nicotine present in tobacco negatively influences neurotransmitter levels of serotonin and dopamine, giving rise to uncontrolled fluctuations in mood and memory. Also Read: No Smoking Day: 5 More Reasons To Kick The Butt ASAP

Consuming Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages when consumed occasionally, may not cause any sickness but an addiction to alcohol affects the liver as the body is unable to process the chemicals. This leads to the build-up of harmful toxins and fats in the liver, causing severe conditions like cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease and even liver failure.

Improper Diet

Eating junk foods high on sugar, processed compounds, oil and salt is one of the main reasons behind the onset of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and hypertension. These conditions further weaken the immune system, making the person inclined to contract seasonal bacterial as well as grave viral infections, with the recovery process also taking longer than in a healthy individual.

High Caffeine Intake

For many, taking four to five cups of coffee a day is just plain routine. However, the caffeine content in coffee beans and powder being significantly high, this is a very dangerous trend. Caffeine gets quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and can result in numerous health complications like insomnia, high blood pressure, elevated risk of heart attacks and even kidney failure.

Venturing Outdoors

This may sound like a harmless leisure activity on a regular summer evening, but in present times of lockdown, stepping out of one's home casually is not encouraged, unless to buy groceries or take a walk. Not only will local law enforcement officials heavily penalise people visiting nearby landmarks and taking bike rides, but this greatly increases the risk of COVID-19 for the individual as well as their family members.