COVID-19

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Coronavirus

Covid-19 -Alone you’re strong but together you’re stronger

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Covid-19  Alone you’re strong….together you’re stronger (you believe or not, COVID19 does) This is true- -COVID19 virus follows the same theory to infect millions and many people around the globe. COVID19 is extremely different from other COVIDs which individuals may need to experience a minimum of at the extent of transmission from human to human. People experience normal flu-like symptoms with other COVIDs and still can choose work. However, when COVID19 emerged (does not mean other COVIDs are gone), immediately took the lead and surpassed all the previous records within the rate of transmission. Second, elderly people or people with some underlying conditions get seriously ill by COVID19. due to our curiosity, one question centered ‘why the transmission is so fast’? and ‘why only a group of people (elderly) heavily hit by this virus? A group of scientists from Germany and the UK performed this recent study among 9 patients of COVID19 cases to know one key question why this virus is so different than other COVIDs in terms of infection, pathogenicity, and transmission. All 9 patients had mild symptoms and didn’t develop severe lung pneumonia-like symptoms. Unlike other COVIDs, COVID19 virus particles don’t get to go deeper into the tract to cause infection. Other COVIDs got to attend the lower tract to be ready to cause infection. However, COVID19 colonize at a high density within the upper tract even before getting to the lower tract. On top of that COVID19 replication 4-7 fold quite other COVIDs. So, two key factors: an extremely higher rate of replication and skill to colonize within the upper respiratory area explain why person infected with COVID-19 is often easily shedding this virus into the environment or to a different person coming in close contact.it’s just millions of times more doses people are exposed, therefore either carrying it to the next person or develop disease symptoms. This research highlighted one unexpected observation in one patient who got two different COVID19 as shown in samples from two different places from the body. They observed one mutation within the COVID19 isolated from an equivalent person also as original COVID19 as other patients had. This is also alarming how fast this virus may acquire a mutation. To be ready to establish disease in a person, a virus must be won against the human defense system, which is extremely delicate and organized at different layers. COVID19 has been successful in breaking this defense due to the facility of replication. When the doses of a viral particle are so high human system especially people with suboptimal immunity gets breached and the virus gains full control over the overall immunity. This study also checked antibodies against COVID-19 in those patients and only found detectable levels 7-14 days post-infection. Because of the higher replication rate in the upper respiratory tract, a nasal swab is so successful for the diagnosis of COVID19. Therefore the basic math that you simply can obviously imagine, when virus multiplication is so rapid, shedding virus particle would be also higher. Everything you’ll multiply by an element of millions (x106). Due to this nature, millions and millions of people are getting this virus. So this is really the fact ‘alone you are strong but together you are stronger’.     Reported by Dr. Jubayer Rahman (PhD in Infectious Immunology), Maryland, USA

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Coronavirus

Why do you think BCG-vaccination would protect against COVID-19?

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BCG-vaccination   Why do you think BCG-vaccination would protect against COVID-19? Is it real?   COVID-19 is not only successful in infecting people around the world (1) but also obsessed people at the same time with lots of irrelevant things. Who thought this strain of COVID would be stronger than any of its parallel COVID-lines? Who thought this will be highly contagious, spreading with a record speed? Who thought it could be as potent as it stays outside host for hours to days? Who thought it could infect not only immune-compromised people or older people but also people at any age? Who thought this virus could be using healthy human as the best carrier when traveling from country to country? Who thought this not only attacks the respiratory system but also travels through the gastrointestinal tract? Who thought about insisting people “not using face mask” could be dangerous? No one knew any of these questions or if knew, gave wrong solutions! The list is getting longer and longer. As a matter of fact, now BCG-vaccination is becoming a topic around the world in the context of COVID-19 infection whether the western world made a great mistake not practicing BCG-vaccination as part of routine vaccination strategy, with speculation that BCG-vaccination reduces the number of cases of COVID-19 (2). Surprisingly, whether it is true or false, some parts of the world (Asia) are not seeing the aggressive nature of COVID-19 cases (3). Interestingly, most countries in Asia still believe the BCG-vaccination program as one of the important ones protecting against tuberculosis (4). In the Western World, BCG vaccination is no longer recommended due to a lack of protection by BCG-vaccination against pulmonary TB. There are also some side effects of early life BCG vaccination when it comes in the context of HIV infection. The western world stopped using BCG because BCG-vaccination induced immunity is not long-lasting (5), it decays overages. Therefore, revaccination with BCG suggested but was not successful. What is BCG? BCG-vaccine contains live attenuated bacteria. It is given subcutaneously, but it could reach to any place in the body within a short time. Because of this unique ability, BCG-vaccination provides strong immune responses in the lungs even it is administered in a remote place. As I mentioned this vaccine was thought effective against tuberculosis. However, tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is a virulent pathogen, different from BCG to some extent, especially some of the antigens are missing in BCG that is present in virulent mycobacteria. BCG-specific immunity: When it comes to the vaccination against any pathogen, generally, scientists look for specific immunity to raise by the vaccination. Since tuberculosis causing pathogen is intracellular, meaning immune cells capture mycobacteria and try to kill it while inside by using their machinery. It is believed that T cell-based immunity (type-1) is very effective in killing tuberculosis pathogens. Since this infection is respiratory, people thought of inducing specific immunity by giving BCG-vaccination through the intranasal route. Unfortunately, the intranasal route of administration of BCG is not safe, especially for children. One, remarkable observation is that even BCG- vaccination is not very effective against pulmonary (lung) TB, this still very effective against other forms of tuberculosis, not formed in the lungs. This is why third world countries still keep BCG as their routine vaccination strategy.   Why BCG-induced immunity would be effective against COVID-19? COVID-19 is a completely different pathogen and does not show any similarities with tuberculosis or BCG. There is no scientific evidence yet showing BCG-induced immunity could prevent COVID-19 infection further to spread. Like many other COVIDs, COVID-19 is using a similar route to attack humans, displaying symptoms like the common cold. The only difference with COVID-19 is that it could lead to aggressive lung infection and results in pneumonia-like symptoms. To prevent viral infection, scientists would allow natural immunity to develop because there is no effective medication or successful vaccines available against such flu-like virus. Every year we received vaccines against flu (influenza) which are either not effective or sometimes only effective partially. Interestingly, this virus acquires genetic modification so rapidly and because of this fact ultimately one particular vaccine against the same virus may not work for the next year. This is a common problem and perhaps one biggest challenge in the development of a vaccine against COVID-19 (6). Now, when a specific vaccine is not working against COVIDs, how one could think BCG-vaccination will provide protection against another pathogen like COVID-19? Immune response either naturally induced or vaccination-induced is very complex in nature. Generally, two types of immunity can be seen: innate (rapid and non-specific) and adaptive (specific-long-lived). The only advantage of BCG-vaccination is that due to the nature of this vaccine, it induces very strong innate immunity and it is stronger than any other form of vaccines in history. At the same time, BCG could also act as an adjuvant, meaning could help other vaccines when giving at the same time or in a strategy called prime-boost vaccination. BCG can work as a very good candidate to prime the immune system. When the term ‘priming’ comes, it induces strong innate immune responses, which is generally important to let adaptive immune cells to know. This collaborative effort is very necessary to use all of the tools of the immune system in order to generate an effective immune response. Virus-induced natural immunity: Most of these seasonal flu-virus induced immunity is developed with a week or two. The scientist also aims for inducing humoral (a specific antibody) immune response when targeting a vaccine against any of this virus. Since a majority of the population are naturally protective against common flu, it is thought that antibody-mediated protection is the key, because specific antibody can neutralize the virus. Thus, in the context of BCG-vaccination, one key question is does BCG-vaccination induce specific antibody responses against COVID-19? The answer is likely ‘NO’. But one possibility is that BCG-vaccination is very unique in the sense that this could induce lots of cross-reactive

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Science

COVID-19-NASA Satellite Spots Less Air Pollution

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Novel Coronavirus outbreak – NASA Satellite found Less Air Pollution on US East Coast And China. Over the past several weeks, NASA satellite estimations have revealed significant reductions in pollution over the significant metropolitan territories of the Northeast United States. Comparative decreases have been seen in different regions of the world. These ongoing upgrades in air quality have come at a significant expense, as communities struggle with widespread lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders as a result of the spread of COVID-19. Nitrogen dioxide, primarily emitted from burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation, is often used as an indicator of changes in human movement. The pictures above show average concentrations of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide as measured by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite, as processed by a team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. The left image within the slider shows the typical concentration in March of 2015-19, while the proper image within the slider shows the typical concentration measured in March of this year.   Though differences in climate from year to year source differences within the monthly means for individual years, March 2020 shows lowest bottom monthly atmospheric nitrogen dioxide levels of any March during the OMI data evidence, which spans 2005 to the present. In fact, the info indicates that the nitrogen dioxide levels in March 2020 are about 30% lower on the average across the region of the I-95 corridor from Washington, DC to Boston than in comparison to the March mean of 2015-19. Further investigation will be required to thoroughly measure the measure of the adjustment in nitrogen dioxide levels related to changes in emanations versus regular varieties in climate. If processed and interpreted carefully, nitrogen dioxide levels observed from space function an efficient proxy for nitrogen dioxide levels at surface, though there’ll likely be differences within the measurements from space and people made at ground level. It’s also important to notice that satellites that measure nitrogen dioxide cannot see through clouds, so all data shown is for days with low cloudiness. Such nuances within the data make long-term records vital in understanding changes like those shown during this image. COVID-19-NASA Satellite Air Pollution- China NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) contamination observing satellites have distinguished critical declines in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over China. There’s evidence that the change is a minimum of partly associated with the economic slowdown following the outbreak of coronavirus. At the end of 2019, clinical experts in Wuhan, China, were treating many pneumonia cases that had an obscure source. Days later, researchers confirmed the illnesses were caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19). By January 23, 2020, Chinese authorities had shut down transportation going into and out of Wuhan, also as local businesses, so as to scale back the spread of the disease. It was the first of several quarantines set up in the country and around the world. The maps on this page show concentration of nitrogen dioxide, a noxious gas emitted by automobiles, power plants, and industrial facilities. The maps above show NO2 values across China from January 1-20, 2020 (preceding the isolate) and February 10-25 (during the isolate). The information was gathered by the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on ESA’s Sentinel-5 satellite. A related sensor, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite, has been making comparable estimations. COVID-19-NASA Satellite This is that the first time I ever have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a good area for a selected event,” said Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Liu recalls seeing a drop by NO2 over several countries during the economic recession that began in 2008, but the decrease was gradual. Scientists also observed a big reduction around Beijing during the 2008 Olympics, but the effect was mostly localized around that city, and pollution levels rose again once the Olympics ended. COVID-19-NASA Satellite

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Health & Lifestyle

How to boost your immune system to fight COVID-19

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Can you boost your immune system to fight COVID-19? COVID-19 This is the subject on everyone’s mind as we face a worldwide crisis. We don’t yet skills to completely prevent or manage the damage caused by COVID-19, the disease caused by a coronavirus that’s new to us all. We see online claims that we will “boost” our immune system with almost everything from vitamin C or vitamin D to essential oils and silver nanoparticles. But how can we know which of those recommendations, if any, really work? That’s a worrying question to answer, mainly because the immune system isn’t “one thing” that we will easily measure. It’s an intricate and delicate system with many various components. Helping one section might impair another, or boosting a particular section may have nothing to do with fighting viruses. That’s a worrying question to answer, mainly because the immune system isn’t “one thing” that we will easily measure. It’s an intricate and delicate system with many various components. Helping one section might impair another, or boosting a particular section may have nothing to do with fighting viruses. That makes knowing what to do stimulating. Plus, how do we know if something that helps with another virus will help with this new coronavirus? As you’ll see, there’s much we simply cannot know. Finally, if you’re older or have an underlying health condition (including diabetes and high blood pressure), you’ve got an increased risk of severe symptoms, and potentially, loss of life from COVID-19. We recommend taking every precaution to avoid it. If you’re young and otherwise healthy, your risk of complications is much lower. If you are doing contract the virus, you’ll probably have mild symptoms and fully recover within a few weeks. However, it’s possible that you may be infected with the virus without showing any symptoms. [su_quote]So retaining excellent hygiene and practicing social isolation is crucial to avoid spreading it to high-risk individuals.[/su_quote] Many Australians are anxious and emphasized about the coronavirus, COVID-19. There are reports of panic-buying at the supermarket. People have been donning face masks they have no symptoms. You cannot make a cup of tea at work without someone mentioning ‘coronavirus.’ You might feel a little powerless but there are a few things you can do to support boost your immune system and help protect yourself from many types of viruses. And none of them involve a hazmat suit.  Do vitamin pills protect you from the coronavirus? No. It’s much enhanced to get all the nutrients you need for a robust immune system from a balanced diet. And with a couple of exceptions — folic acid for pregnant women, for example — most healthy people do not need to use luxurious supplements. Social media has been infiltrated by claims that megadoses of vitamin supplements, like vitamin C, can treat the flu-like symptoms of COVID-19, but there’s no evidence to back this up. Consuming high doses of certain supplements, like vitamin A and vitamin D, can actually be toxic.  Social media has been infiltrated by claims that megadoses of vitamin supplements, like vitamin C, can treat the flu-like symptoms of COVID-19, but there’s no evidence to back this up. Consuming high doses of certain supplements, like vitamin A and vitamin D, can actually be toxic. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which suggests it isn’t lethal, but if you consume quite your body can store, it’s removed via your urine. So, excess vitamin C goes down the toilet. [su_quote] While there is no vaccine for COVID-19 yet, there’s a vaccine for an additional global killer, the flu. Search for updates on this season’s influenza vaccine and book during a jab when it’s available.[/su_quote]  Get more sleep Sleep is most important for your immune system. Research shows that sleep-deprived people can have suppressed immunity, meaning that they are more in danger of catching viruses. If you are feeling worried otherwise you are anxious (about COVID-19, for example), you’re more in danger of sleep problems like insomnia. And if you’re sleep-deprived, you’re more likely to worry. So, if you’re reading this on your phone in bed immediately, put the phone down — watching a bright screen within the evening can disrupt your sleep. For more tips on having an honest a good night in bed, visit the Sleep Health Foundation.  Clean your phone As well as keeping you up at night, your phone can also transfer germs. According to a new study, some viruses (including human coronaviruses that came before COVID-19) can remain infectious on surfaces for up to 9 days. So you ought to disinfect the ‘portable petri dish’ that’s your mobile regularly with a cleaning product that’s 70% ethanol.  Washing your hands regularly with plenty of soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds — or using an alcohol-based hand rub if the soap isn’t available — is that the best way to protecting yourself from COVID-19.   Should you wear a face mask? If you’re feeling anxious, you would possibly be considering wearing a mask for protection. But face masks aren’t recommended for the overall population. Only people that have symptoms of COVID-19 or who are caring for an individual with suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 got to wear a disposable (surgical) mask.   Where to travel for help if you are feeling anxious?   Fortunately, if you’re feeling stressed or worried about the coronavirus (COVID-19), assistance is available. Speak to your GP or contact any of those organizations:   Beyond Blue offers mental-health counseling 24 hours each day on 1300 22 4636. you’ll also speak to someone via online chat (3 pm to 12 am, 7 days every week ).   Children and young adults (up to age 25) can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 to talk with a counselor, 24 hours each day . Online chat is additionally available 24/7.   Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 to talk with a trained psychological state supporter, 24 hours each day . Online chat is out there between 7pm and midnight (AEST), 7 days every week . you’ll also text 0477 13 11 14 between 6pm and midnight (AEST), 7 days a week.        

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Health

Iburofen may aggravate coronavirus(Covid-19)

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COVID-19: France says ibuprofen may aggravate coronavirus. Experts say more evidence is needed: This short article describes the effects of popular anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen, suggested by the health ministry of France. This suggestion was given in a tweet on Saturday by Olivier Veran, a neurologist and the Health Minister of France. According to him, anyone among us grieving from fever should practice paracetamol or consult your doctor for advice if you are already using anti-inflammatory medicines. Some health experts have highly criticized this suggestion as this idea has not been supported by sufficient proof, there is not any published content available that could scientifically back this belief. However, Veran put forward his view on the same day the French government announced the adverse effects which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have put on the potential and confirmed patients who are suffering from Covid-19. The ministry’s new guidelines say that paracetamol is a drug widely used for curing fever or pain linked to COVID-19 and paracetamol for treating any other respiratory viral disease. US’s prominent news network CNN has already contacted the French Health Ministry about Veran’s tweet as it has raised several concerns, mainly in France over the effects of ibuprofen for the cure of the coronavirus. A researcher, Muge Cevik, at the University of St Andrews Infection and Global Health Division, has shown her primary concern over the bold recommendation of Veran. She said in one of his tweets that “Deeply concerned about this bold statement by the French MoH with no reference to the claim, which is causing public concern. There’s no scientific evidence I am aware of that ibuprofen cause worst outcomes in #COVID19.”. Professor, Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, of pediatrics and infectious disease epidemiologist at Stanford University in California has also said that she doesn’t think that any definite proof is present which could show that ibuprofen worsens the COVID-19. Despite all of the above criticisms against Veran’s belief of ibuprofen, some specialists believe, that Veran’s advice is according to guidelines provided by some countries about anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen despite the facts that there is no sound link of this drug with the coronavirus. Rupert Beale, a leading figure in Cell Biology of Infection at the UK’s Francis Crick Institute, told the UK’s Science Media Centre that ibuprofen could be avoided in critical kidney injury caused by any severe disease, including worst COVID-19 as it may increase this illness. He further said that there is no other reason to avoid it for COVID-19. Dr. Yvonne Maldonado said that she is unaware of any evidence supporting Veran’s idea except that there might be some risk involved if the drug stifles the immune response system, which is vital for fighting off the disease. According to the opinion of many doctors and researchers, much evidence is required to draw any secure connection between ibuprofen and COVID-19. NSAID like ibuprofen is often used to treat fever which is a much common underlying symptom of the virus. Paracetamol’ generally preferred’ over ibuprofen: A more likely reason why France has criticized the use of paracetamol and ibuprofen is that it has more strict laws and regulations on the use and sale of painkillers than many other countries. According to Charlotte Warren-Gash, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, older people are the most vulnerable to catch COVID-19, and most deaths are also registered among these elderly citizens and those having symptoms of cardiovascular disease. He added that NSAIDs should be used in caution by the people who already are suffering from other diseases. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, suggests that the patients with other diseases should be given a minor dose of ibuprofen for a short time so that the effects of cardiovascular or kidney problems could be avoided. Although, it has been advised to use ibuprofen over paracetamol for inflammatory issues like arthritis, but not to be taken for long durations. The Public Health England agency also says there is not sufficient evidence to advise people to shift to other painkillers. Britain too doesn’t support France’s intentions and has advised patients that they should keep using ibuprofen for treating COVID-19. Warren-Gash has advised that more research is needed to use NSAIDs on people who have other diseases while taking into consideration the seriousness of their infections  Tom Wingfield, a lecturer and consultant physician at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said that ibuprofen has often been found to cause kidney irritation and stomach indigestion in few people whereas, paracetamol has lesser side effects than ibuprofen. Tom Wingfield has also told that currently, it is not clear that whether the views of the French Minister have any reality or not in the sense of Covid-19, whatever the truth is will become transparent soon. In all over Europe, including France, certain restrictions have been placed on supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and clubs as a precaution to spread of coronavirus.

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