The following article is one of three supplemental items that Manda Aufochs Gillespie submitted along with the Folk U podcast for March 27, 2020. It was originally published on Cortes Radio.ca.

Now that we all know what the virus looks like, it’s time for you to meet your immune system.

This is a macrophage. Macrophages in the lining of your mouth and airways engulf infectious microbes and infected cells, acting as part of your innate defense against infection. Your macrophages have been helping you all along — below are some ideas for helping them (and other parts of the immune system) do their job of protecting you.