COVID Medical questions Q & A.

[dagle]

Are there any appreciable benefits to supplements before we are sick in the event that we catch the bug?

Some of the supplements that are easy to implement for me are quercetin, vitamin D, vitamin C. There seems to be benefit from SARS-COV2 data as measured by average hospital stay, mortality rates, etc.

 

[Snaggy]

Are there any appreciable benefits to supplements before we are sick in the event that we catch the bug?

Some of the supplements that are easy to implement for me are quercetin, vitamin D, vitamin C. There seems to be benefit from SARS-COV2 data as measured by average hospital stay, mortality rates, etc.

Don't really know. I take my share of vitamins but as you're probably aware, most supplements have not been widely accepted by the medical or professional nutrition community.

People sick enough to be hospitalized are going to need supplemental nutrition which always has has vitamins and minerals in it. There may be special needs as well, since the virus often causes anorexia or diarrhea.

 

[Dr_SLO]

Are there any appreciable benefits to supplements before we are sick in the event that we catch the bug?

Some of the supplements that are easy to implement for me are quercetin, vitamin D, vitamin C. There seems to be benefit from SARS-COV2 data as measured by average hospital stay, mortality rates, etc.

Vitamin D does have some powerful properties but its use to prevent infection, reduce disease severity or limit mortality from SARS-CoV-2 need to be tested in double blind clinical trials. Warning, vitamin D does have toxicity effects if too much is taken so be careful.

Vitamin C does not have any antiviral properties. What is thought to be good about oral vitamin C is mostly a myth thanks to the work of double Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling.

Quercetin, like vitamin D, would require double blind clinical trials to prove any significant benefits for SARS-CoV-2 infections.

 

[Climber]

Vitamin D does have some powerful properties but its use to prevent infection, reduce disease severity or limit mortality from SARS-CoV-2 need to be tested in double blind clinical trials. Warning, vitamin D does have toxicity effects if too much is taken so be careful.

Vitamin C does not have any antiviral properties. What is thought to be good about oral vitamin C is mostly a myth thanks to the work of double Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling.

Quercetin, like vitamin D, would require double blind clinical trials to prove any significant benefits for SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Isn't it just safer to get your vitamin D through getting out and getting sun exposure?

 

[Dr_SLO]

Isn't it just safer to get your vitamin D through getting out and getting sun exposure?

It's a doubled edged sword; stronger bones or skin cancer?

 

[Climber]

It's a doubled edged sword; stronger bones or skin cancer?

In moderation, of course.

How many minutes of sun does it take to get sufficient vitamin D?

 

[Dr_SLO]

In moderation, of course.

How many minutes of sun does it take to get sufficient vitamin D?

Diet is most likely the best source. Vitamin D myths debunked.

 

[dagle]

I actually misspoke, my previous post was in regards to findings from SARS-COV1 data and specific to lung injury. I take 3000iu of vitamin D and an ungodly amount of vitamin C as well. Don't know if it'll help, but the things that I mentioned are already apart of my diet/routine so it's not too bad (will have to figure out if my green tea bags in fact has quercetin).

the vitamin D part was a bit longer and I didn't want to flood this thread with research, but I found it here which was an interesting listen/read (skip to the summary about vitamin D's role in the renin angiotensin system if you don't have time):
https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/covid-19-episode-1

 

[Climber]

If you get kidney stones, the likely culprit will be excessive vitamin C.

 

[Snaggy]

I actually misspoke, my previous post was in regards to findings from SARS-COV1 data and specific to lung injury. I take 3000iu of vitamin D and an ungodly amount of vitamin C as well. Don't know if it'll help, but the things that I mentioned are already apart of my diet/routine so it's not too bad (will have to figure out if my green tea bags in fact has quercetin).

the vitamin D part was a bit longer and I didn't want to flood this thread with research, but I found it here which was an interesting listen/read (skip to the summary about vitamin D's role in the renin angiotensin system if you don't have time):
https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/covid-19-episode-1

I don't recommend supraphysiologic vitamin doses except for bariatric surgery patients or others with GI problems, secondary hyperparathyroidism or other problems. Vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia in high doses.

 

[CDONA]

Will the virus work if swallowed? As in spit on food.
As I understand this, it is absorbed thru the skin/mucus membranes

 

[Snaggy]

Will the virus work if swallowed? As in spit on food.
As I understand this, it is absorbed thru the skin/mucus membranes

Likely the acidic pH of the stomach will inactivate some of whatever might land in the stomach. Doesn’t matter.

Once an innoculum is in your mouth, no reason why it should necessarily take the elevator all the way down. Also, the virus particles are tiny, they are attracted to surfaces by weak molecular forces only, so they easily move from one surface to another. They can also find tiny areas on surfaces where they are somewhat protected from physical inactivation. And, what you chew and swallow will leave residue in your mouth as well.

 

[Dr_SLO]

Will the virus work if swallowed? As in spit on food.
As I understand this, it is absorbed thru the skin/mucus membranes

Likely the acidic pH of the stomach will inactivate some of whatever might land in the stomach. Doesn’t matter.

Once an innoculum is in your mouth, no reason why it should necessarily take the elevator all the way down. Also, the virus particles are tiny, they are attracted to surfaces by weak molecular forces only, so they easily move from one surface to another. They can also find tiny areas on surfaces where they are somewhat protected from physical inactivation. And, what you chew and swallow will leave residue in your mouth as well.

I would like to add that there is some evidence of faecal-oral transmission but it is unlikely the primary route of transmission. This is why it is important to wash your hands. Mucous membranes are the replication sites for SARS-CoV-2, including the intestinal mucosa. However, the virus cannot penetrate the skin. The skin is both the largest organ of the body and is also the largest immunological barrier to infectious diseases for many reasons.

 

[CDONA]

How will the smoke from Ca. fires this fall affect 'rona recovery?
Surgical masks won't seal against smoke.
I doubt that the virus/smoke combo are going to cancel each other out as a cure.

I got to thinking last nite, watching Newsome waffle on July projections, fire season is going to be a factor.

 

[Snaggy]

How will the smoke from Ca. fires this fall affect 'rona recovery?
Surgical masks won't seal against smoke.
I doubt that the virus/smoke combo are going to cancel each other out as a cure.

I got to thinking last nite, watching Newsome waffle on July projections, fire season is going to be a factor.

Smoke regularly triggers my asthma. There's this smoke trap south of Turlock that's bad even when the surrounding area is OK. Asthma is generally considered a risk factor for severe disease, though I haven't seen any reports on it yet. Can't be a good thing.

 

[tuxumino]

so with the flu season coming in fall/winter is it possible to be infected with 2 viruses at the same time; catch flu then covid or vice a versa?

 

[wannabe]

so with the flu season coming in fall/winter is it possible to be infected with 2 viruses at the same time; catch flu then covid or vice a versa?

I’m wondering the opposite. All the processes we have put in place to protect us from COVID 19 will also protects us from the flu. I’m still planning to get a flu shot, but I’m not expecting the flu to spread very far this year.

In normal years, we constantly have idiots that come to work sick and end up infecting the entire office with the flu. I don’t see that happening any time soon.

 

[Snaggy]

so with the flu season coming in fall/winter is it possible to be infected with 2 viruses at the same time; catch flu then covid or vice a versa?

There is at least one case report of co-infection, I had the cite 4 months ago and won’t look it up again if that’s alright. I think it would be unusual though. COVID precautions, when followed, would almost certainly decrease Influenza. The Influenza R naught is a lot lower and mode of transmission is similar.

We have stopped testing for Influenza almost completely. Partly from worker safety, partly because it’s the deep swab twice if you’re testing for COVID too.

 

[Beanzy]

Here's what's the virus looks like after it's taken over a cell ...

 

[Snaggy]

Here's what's the virus looks like after it's taken over a cell ...

I would guess you're seeing viral particles leaving a stricken cell. They've turned the cell into a virus factory, doomed to produce it's killers until it ceases to function. As it exits the cell, each viral particle tears off a bit of cell membrane, to become the viral envelope, sorta like wearing the skin of it's victim. Gruesome little bastards.