In the wake of the Wuhan virus (also known as COVID-19, coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2) and the media scaring the living daylights out of the general public, I am getting a lot of questions in the office on what to do. First, here are a few facts.
++The problem is there is no innate immunity to a coronavirus—meaning you don’t have resistance to fight it off. While efforts to create a vaccine are in full force, it appears the earliest a vaccine will be available is spring 2021.
Current estimates (as of the publication date of this article) are that 40-70% of the population will get the virus and have a 1-2% fatality rate. Of those infected, the CDC estimates 20% or fewer will require hospitalization. The majority will have symptoms of a cold, and some, like several professional athletes, will be asymptomatic. If you feel you have been exposed or have symptoms, local hospitals have been set up for screening. Symptoms are flu-like and include pneumonia, fever, cough, sore throat, aches and chills.
The majority of new cases are being screened first for the flu and other infections, and then for COVID-19 (after those tests prove negative). Testing results are available after about two days. The coronavirus tests from LabCorp and Quest are now testing the COVID-19 strain. However, you can’t go directly to a draw location for a test. Instead, go to the COVID-19 website from the Texas Department of State Health Services and begin filling out the forms. From there, you are directed on where to go for testing.
It has been determined the “safe” distance from another individual is six feet, which is the distance a respiratory droplet travels from a cough or sneeze. While the COVID-19 virus can stay on surfaces for up to 72 hours, it appears to be neutralized with standard cleaning techniques. Also wipe phones, tablets and keyboards. For now, doctors can only treat the symptoms, not the virus. Eventually, there will most likely be a surge of virus cases, which is why social distancing is being encouraged, and in some cases, mandated. The idea is to slow down the rise of new cases. Social distancing will allow for access to health care treatment over the next few months instead of everyone needing medical attention tomorrow and overwhelming area hospitals, staff, and resources.
We are limiting our office to no more than seven people at a time and have increased our disinfection efforts. As of today, we have not seen anyone with a fever, cough, or COVID-19 symptoms and don’t plan to start.
If you are quarantined because of illness or exposure, you should not leave your home for 14 consecutive days, even to run errands. You need to stay in the same place for the duration of the illness.
According to the United States Surgeon General, 98-99% percent of people who contract the COVID-19 virus strain will recover. If you have plenty of extra time and like to be alarmed weekly, I recommend subscribing to the MMWR from the CDC regarding things that might kill you. In terms of scariness and things that keep me up at night, the Wuhan virus is not one of them. From early in my pathology career, nearly 25 years ago, Ebola and other extremely virulent and infectious diseases gained my attention.
An in-depth look into this newest strain of coronavirus, compared over the last 40 years with other outbreaks, is nothing that should be getting the coverage the Wuhan virus is getting. Statistically, and of course, those numbers can be askew by lousy reporting and bad science. At this time, COVID-19 has the lowest fatality rate by five times the previous SARS of 2002. While COVID-19 numbers are climbing, the best defense is prevention and abiding by information provided in this article to reduce exposure and support your immune system.
So, what are the best supplements to take to support an immune system? Are the supplements can bolster and support? And, are there supplements to consider that are most supportive?
My go-to is vitamin D. Why?—because most of my clients are autoimmune and have a gene snip known as a Vitamin D Receptor (VDR). Ideally, vitamin D levels should be between 70 and 100 because it’s both viral and disease-preventative. The exception is people with kidney disease, and vitamin D levels should not be over 70. Last month, I wrote about maintaining vitamin D levels and what is considered immune protective (included in this month’s issue as well). Vitamin A and, at times, vitamins K and E also support the function of vitamin D. These are barrier vitamins, and they help barrier cells in the sinus, lung, urinary tract, and intestines regenerate faster. Lack of a barrier increases susceptibility to infections.
L-lysine helps unpack viruses so the immune system can attack. Elderberry and Echinacea also help support immune function. I prefer elderberry in a capsule to avoid sugar and Echinacea in a capsule or tea form to boost the natural killer cells of the immune system as they work to stop infections before you are down. We also use vitamin C in either a powder or liposomal form and our immune support containing concentrated oregano.
Most people can use the above with benefits. At times, autoimmune patients cannot handle one or more of the supplements listed above. We have a protocol for their immune systems based on blood and saliva tests, genetics, history, and exam to find what works best. If you are autoimmune and you do get sick, your body will activate its immune system to destroy the infection but, at the same time, will enhance the destruction of your autoimmunity disease. It’s essential to keep your immune system functioning and more so when you are autoimmune.
Although there are no guarantees that anything will work, and, if you take these supplements, see me, live in a bubble, and have purchased a lifetime supply of Lysol or bleach, it’s still not impossible for you to get sick. Apply common sense, including thorough handwashing, not touching your face, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, stay home when you are mildly ill, and go to the doctor when you need to go.
Our office is closely monitoring symptoms and recommendations by the CDC and local government. Using nutrition, diet, and microcurrent to help support our patients during this new worldwide pandemic is vitally important. As always, we can review lab results, answer your questions, and perform evaluations online through our patient portal (aka virtual or telemedicine). While this form of communicating does not include mechanoreceptor stimulation, at least you’re doing something to keep your immune system boosted.
COVID-19 does not affect our water supply or electricity, so hand-crank items and pallets of water or toilet paper are a bit of overkill. Take this time to love your family, catch up with friends via phone or online, learn a new skill, read a book, and connect and educate your family. We wish you all the health and protection available and look forward to our city, nation, and the world coming away better than before.