As the newly identified coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, spreads rapidly around the world, it is causing a respiratory disease known as CoVID-19.
Origins
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a virus like this. The common cold (rhinovirus) is a coronavirus, as was the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in 2003 and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in 2009.
SARS-CoV-2 had never infected humans until last fall when it jumped from the reptile or mammalian population into human hosts. It caused a flu-like illness that resulted in a wave of deaths from pneumonia in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
Since then, researchers around the globe have been working 24/7 to identify it and develop a vaccine that will give us immunity. Until then, no one is immune.
However, once we’ve contracted the virus, our immune system creates antibodies against it and we build immunity to that particular strain of the virus.
Virulence, Transmission and Incubation Period
We’re all likely to be exposed to this highly contagious virus in the coming weeks to months. As it spreads through the community, the number of people infected doubles every 6 days. Eventually, we will all come in contact with it.
SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets when people talk, sneeze and cough. Those droplets land on inanimate objects (called “fomites”) where they can remain viable for 7-9 days. Avoid touching your face and nose: self-inoculation is common.
To reduce your risk of acquiring the virus, avoid such “high-touch surfaces” as doorknobs, handles, stair rails, pens, keypads, touch screens, etc. Use your knuckle to push bush buttons and antimicrobial wipes to hold handles and clean your phone, and/or use gloves.
The incubation period is thought to be 2-14 days, though some researchers say it could be up to 21 days before symptoms emerge.
Signs and Symptoms
Some who acquire the infection may be completely asymptomatic, while 80%+ of those infected develop a mild to moderate respiratory infection, similar to a cold or the flu. Common symptoms include a fever (101+), sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue, muscle aches and shortness of breath. Based on what we’ve seen in China, most people recover fully within a few weeks.
COVID-19 results in more serious illness in the elderly and those with underlying chronic diseases such as asthma and COPD, diabetes and heart disease.
~ 14 % develop pneumonia
~ 6 % are hospitalized with respiratory failure or sepsis
~ 0.7 – 3.4 % mortality rate, according to the World Health Organization.
To put it in perspective, the 2003 SARS Epidemic had a mortality rate of ~14% (WHO).
Limit the spread by “Social Distancing” and the COVID-Bump
Keep your personal space by using this “alternative greeting”: simply bump elbows or tap shoes instead of the more intimate act of shaking hands, or exchanging hugs and kisses. We can get back to showing our affection later!
Avoid contact with fomites and other high-touch surfaces.
Wash your hands multiple times each day for 30 seconds with soap and water (sing happy birthday to yourself twice to get to 30 seconds).
Clean all surfaces around you with anti-microbial wipes regularly: phone, keyboard, doorknobs, and handles.
Even pets should be kept away from the sick…their fur can transmit the virus.
How sick will I get?
That depends on the state of your health. If you’re running on sugar and junk food, caffeine and alcohol, and are stressed from overwork and insufficient sleep, then your “host defense” is likely impaired, making you more vulnerable to a range of microbes.
Self-Care: There has never been a better time to practice it!
While these recommendations form the foundation of life-long health, they are even more important for keeping our immune systems robust and able to beat the virus.
Avoid sugar and refined and processed food, which promotes inflammation and impedes the immune response for several hours.
Get 7-8 hours of sleep with a regular bedtime schedule.
Eat 7+ servings daily of brightly colored veggies and fruit, rich in vitamins A, C and E and minerals like zinc.
Spend 30 minutes exercising daily, hopefully outdoors in Nature with fresh air
Manage stress and fear, both of which impair immune function. Take time each day to relax, count your blessings and practice some form of quieting the overactive mind, like 10-20 minutes of meditation.
Support your body’s natural healing capacities while sick:
Stay hydrated: drink at least 64 ounces of water, broths, herbal teas, like Traditional Medicinals “Breath Easy” or “Throat Coat Tea”
Semi-Fast: Listen to your body. If feverish, don’t eat; if hungry, sip a hot bowl of Dr. Sally’s Chicken Soup https://www.drsallyskitchen.com/dr-sallys-chicken-soup
Take a hot bath: At first sign of chill, take a brief (10 min) hot bath, then bundle up, go to bed and sweat it out.
Take vitamin C: 1,000 milligrams (mg.) 3x day while sick. Vitamin C has long been known to possess anti-viral activity.
Take vitamin D3: 1,000 i.u. daily from the fall to the spring equinox. A 2017 study in the British Medical Journal demonstrated its safety and effectiveness in preventing acute respiratory infection. Most importantly, patients who were very deficient in vitamin D experienced the most benefit. Get your vitamin D levels tested.
British Medical Journal 2017: 356:i6583 doi:10.1136/bmj.i6583
Use Echinacea, which reduces the severity and duration of U.R.I.
Elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra) inhibits viral replication in humans and culture. The standardized extract has numerous studies that show reduced duration and reduction of symptoms in colds and flu. (Tamiflu-works by targeting a similar viral molecule w/similar results).
Eat garlic, which has potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Gargle with warm salt water (and scrub the sink afterward to prevent spread of droplets)
Clean all surfaces around you regularly: phone, remote controls, keyboard, etc.
Use 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizers & essential oils
REST: Anyone with an upper respiratory infection should isolate at home until they are completely well and have been cleared by their health care provider to return to work.
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Additional Resources
For more tips on how to approach viral illnesses such CoVID-19, read my article on 10 Tips to Fight the Flu: https://www.drsallyskitchen.com/blog-main/2019/12/6/dr-sallys-top-10-tips-to-prevent-and-treat-the-flu-and-colds
And follow the recommendations of the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
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