**1. Introduction**

There is need to have a universal language on how practitioners can trace and treat the progression of a pandemic. This need has been highlighted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, the long-term effects on the immune system need to be investigated. The impact of the WHO guidelines on the immune system should be determined at all ages of the human population as they were postulated to have contributed to the reduction of the spreading of the SARS CoV-2 [1]. This book chapter examines the rationale and impacts of wearing of masks, hand sanitization and social distancing as measures of containing COVID-19. The analysis gives possible advices on retaining a functioning immune system in the midst of contradicting forces. Recent studies

have shown the role of microbiome in influencing health as a therapeutic strategy via modulation of the immune system. This modulation occurs through cell components and cellular metabolites.

Although the SARS CoV-2 is regarded as a new contagious corona virus, the human body has encountered, the family of coronaviruses for ages [2]. The common human pet called dog, usually hosts many corona viruses. Even with such advances in knowledge on corona viruses, we are still not sure about the origin of SARS CoV-2. Some speculations of natural SARS mutation or laboratory synthesized virus origins have been suggested.

If the SARS CoV-2 is a new virus, then the human immune system might take time to develop antibodies immediately. However, if it is not new, past ideas from similar virus can be give the body a strategic advantage over the new mutation called SARS CoV-2. This strategic immunity can be related to a possible innate kind of immunity which can provide protection from coronaviruses without the need for a preconditioning of the body from the current new virus in the environment. The need for a new diverse vaccine can also be argued on the same understanding. Various people will react to SARS CoV-2 exposure mainly depending on how their bodies respond to inbuilt immune defenses against specific past exposures on corona viruses. An individual health and locational responses to corona viruses can determine the outcome of the health status of an exposure. However, this expectation is not as straight forward as we expect if the SARS CoV-2 is a man made and new inserted genome sequences of a synthesized corona virus. The adaptability of the immune system can also circumvent the human induced mutation as it has been doing before naturally.

The joint ecosystem between the human body and microorganisms is referred to as holobiont. It is made of persistent microorganism communities [3]. At the cell level our bodies are also interacting with microorganisms. This interaction has physiological impacts in development, immunity, adaptation and general health. This microecology is maintained at particular balance because disturbance of their equilibrium can cause diseases. The microorganisms in our bodies have been found to be transferable from one body to another. A host and its microbiota constitute a holobiont [4]. This phenomenon has become more important in the spread of COVID-19 and the place and value of the immune system health. This microbiome has the ability to remain silent until when disturbed. Microbial activity is necessary for life on earth. The microbiota composition in humans in built in the early years of a new born before reaching a more stable adult-like configuration at the age of ~3 years [5–7]. Henceforth, studies have shown that the host-microbiota equilibrium in humans is important and that a perturbation of such homeostasis may lead to shifts from healthy to pre-disease and disease states [8]. It is amazing how diseases like obesity, which is lifestyle related can be linked to microbiome dynamics. The shift from a healthy microbiota to pathobiota is influenced by modern civilization which does not consider its impact on the microbiome [9, 10]. Therefore, the holobiont concept highlights the complexity of host–microbiota interactions as a challenge and as a new venture for research for the scientific community [11, 12].

### **2. The immune system and the microbiota**

In a broad sense, we have the adaptive and innate immunity. The body has a mechanism that enables living organisms to distinguish its own cells and substances or humors from foreign ones. This ability is called adaptive immunity. It has the

*Perspective Chapter: Emergency COVID-19 Guidelines Impacts on the Human Microbiome… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107843*

ability to generate a specific cellular response to new pathogens [13]. The innate immune system is made up of cells and organs which are distributed throughout the body. The blood and the lymph usually distribute the immune cells throughout the body. The Innate immune cells react fast and nonspecifically when foreign cells are detected. The adaptive immune cells usually have a delay in their response. However, they later end up forming specific immunological memories of the intruding proteins. Researchers have suggested several ways to boost the immune system. These include the following three ways; The increase of immune system cells circulation to do their functions by doing moderated exercises to increase blood circulation, The boosting of the endocrine system functions by reducing stress and thirdly by eating balanced foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals [14]. The interactions between microbiota and host immunity are complex, dynamic and context-dependent [15].

### **3. Diseases and the microbiome**

Diseases that affect humanity mostly thrive on a dysregulated or disturbed immune systems. Human beings have over the years developed mechanisms to coexist with microorganism [16]. Furthermore, this microbiome inhabitants are in constant interactions with the immune system either on the body surface or on the inside. The role of this human-microbe interaction is to train and empower the immune system [17]. In other words, the human body produces natural antimicrobial substances like tears, saliva, mucus and acids that inhibit or kill pathogens. These natural are supposed to be maintained for the proper functioning of the body immune system. Surprisingly, the same pathogens are the ones which stimulate the body to produce these useful antimicrobial substances. The phenomenon has helped the immune system to be maintained strong. There are critical roles which the microbiome plays in the training and development of the host's innate and adaptive immune system major components [15].

### **4. Microorganisms' role in training and boosting the immune system**

In general, adaptive immunity is described as a mechanism that enables living organisms to distinguish its own cells and humors from foreign ones. It then generates a specific cellular response to the new pathogen [13]. The Immune cells in the body are distributed throughout the body by the blood and the lymph. In comparison, the innate immune cells usually react fast and are nonspecific when foreign cells are detected. The adaptive immune cells usually have a delay in their response, however, they end up forming a specific intrusion protein immunological memory.

If we carefully assume that the SARS cov-2 is natural mutation of the SARS corona virus then we can trust the human body to fight and overcome its invasion. However, a human synthesized source can be different. We can try to envisage the effects of the inserted sequences by the symptoms and signs from patients or from the sequences bases available. In our studies we assume that the immune system is not being influenced by other environmental factors causing similar symptoms. However, we are aware of major emerging environmental factors like climate change and human factors including chemical pollutions, nano particles or electromagnetic waves including mobile phone radiations.

#### **Figure 1.**

*The expected microbiome equilibrium around homes, and markets. It is worthy to note that each location has its own unique microbes which are also constantly being invaded by other microbes from other places and individuals. However, a new equilibrium is usually established after sometime due the law of the survival of the fittest due to competition or due to factors that enhance aggressive adaptation in changing environments.*

Ref., [14], showed that the immune system can be boosted via reduction of stress, eating of balanced diet inclusive of vitamins and minerals. There are other ways of increasing the capacity of the immune system like doing moderate exercises which make the distribution of immune system cells to be faster and wider. A disturbed and dysregulated immune system have been shown to be the ground for diseases to be established in humanity. The earth biosphere is full of microbes as shown in **Figure 1**. Living bodies have over the years developed mechanisms to enable them to coexist and survive in the midst of microbes [16]. These microbes interact with the immune system on various levels. It can be very specific or nonspecific. These interactions are very important in strengthening and training the immune system [17]. Furthermore, there is growing evidence of microbes influencing the peripheral cells of immune and thus consequently influencing cells at other distal sites [18].

### **5. The microbiome acting as a layer of defense**

The normal body flora is composed of large community of microbes which associate with body cells. The association can be on the surface of on internal organs like in the digestive system. The layer of microbes can act as a physical barrier for cells and reduces the available surface for intruding pathogens. It also increases their survival competition, see.

**Figure 2**, The human microbiome is furthermore reinforced by the production of natural antimicrobial substances that act by inhibiting or killing invading pathogens. These natural body antimicrobial substances in animals include tears in eyes, saliva in the mouth, mucus in the respiratory surface and acids in the stomach. The body has to be stimulated to produce these useful antimicrobial substances. This is in many cases done by the same or similar pathogens. This scenario is developed and maintained continuously and is very important for the strengthening of the immune system. Pathogens that mutate have to fight the

*Perspective Chapter: Emergency COVID-19 Guidelines Impacts on the Human Microbiome… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107843*

#### **Figure 2.**

*The scenario of an invasion new microbes like in the current situation; the immune system is being attacked by the novel SARS CoV-2. The body will try to develop a new equilibrium. This is usually done easily and effectively if human external factors and extreme mutations in gene sequences are not added.*

same microbial defense barrier. The body is only diseased if microbes overcome and pass this barrier.
