THIS IS AN UPDATE FOR CORONAVIRUS

The first corona virus was discovered in 1965. The corona virus is the largest known RNA virus and has many various types in the family. It infects numerous types of animals including humans. Covid-19 infects cats but not dogs. So, I hope you are not a cat lover until we make a vaccine. Most Corona viruses are known to cause the common cold or chronic bronchitis. It accounts for 15% of colds in the world. So, the chances are most Americans have been infected by less severe corona viruses already and recovered in the past. SARS ( severe acute respiratory syndrome ) a more severe type of corona virus caused the death of thousands of people from 2002 to 2003 but has not been seen in natural occurring infections since 2003. Because we have developed screening tests for SARS we have been able to modify those tests so we can detect Covid-19.

The most common entry point for corona viruses is the nose and second most common entry point is the lungs. It uses the angiotenson –converting enzyme receptor on cells to gain access into human cells. It has been hypothesized that the blood pressure medicine losartan can block the corona virus’s ability to enter cells because it is an angiotenson converting enzyme receptor blocker. This is currently being studied. Once the corona virus enters the cell it uses your own cellular machinery to copy it self over and over again using up the cells resources until your cell dies and releases the virus copies for them to repeat the process again.

Covid -19 causes fever, fatigue, dry cough, muscle aches, running nose, soar throat, loss of taste and smell with or with out diarrhea.

Currently there are only a few treatment options. There is a consensus of doctors that use hydroxycholoroquine and zpak. I have used it with favorable results. Zink also has shown some mild improvement in ill patients. Other options include antibodies derived from people that have already survived Covid-19. Unfortunately, there are not enough people to supply antibodies for the demand. In several months we will have a vaccine but for now it is not available.

The Spanish flu was worse than Covid-19 but life went on. Let us remember this will pass and life will go on. Our daily activities will return to normal in time. Until then I am here to help you walk through this valley to the other side