Covid 19 Disease

Covid-19 disease symptoms and treatments?

Tuesday, February 20, 2020 - 05:30am

Overview

The COVID-19 disease is part of the coronavirus family; it causes the common cold and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Known as coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus can be painful and has caused millions of deaths. COVID-19 can be spread from person to person. Get vaccinated to protect yourself better. To find out if you have COVID-19, follow the testing guidelines and precautions: wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay seven feet apart from other people.

Symptoms

The symptoms may appear 3 to 15 days after exposure; you may not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19. The early signs are:

Fever.
Weakness.
Cough.
Loss of taste and smell.

Other Symptoms May Include:

Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Sore throat, runny nose, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
Muscle pains.
Skin rash.

These symptoms may last more than a month.

Causes

The virus can spread in different ways:

Person to person, at close contact, infected through mouth, eyes, and nose within 6 feet of:

Respiratory droplets are released.
Coughs.
Sneezing.
While talking, inhale.

Airborne transmission occurs when droplets from the virus stay in the air for some time.
Surface transmission is when you touch a surface infected with the virus and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Asymptomatic transmission is when you become infected by a person who has not yet developed any symptoms.

Risk Factors

These factors increase the risk of developing dangerous COVID-19 symptoms:

Lung cancer.
Older people.
Pulmonary disease, hypertension, embolism, and fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis.
Heart diseases, coronary artery disease, heart failure, or cardiomyopathy.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Cancer.
Hypertension, high blood pressure.
Diabetes types 1 and 2.
Kidney disease (chronic).
Smoking.
DNA cell disease (thalassemia).
Asthma.
The weak immune system from transplants.
Liver disease.
Pregnancy.
Chronic lung disease.
Brain strokes.
Drugs and alcohol addiction.

Complications

About 2 in 12 people may have the following complications:

Cytokine syndrome occurs when the immune system floods the bloodstream with inflammatory proteins (cytokines). These can destroy your kidneys, lungs, heart, and other organs in the body.
Acute respiratory failure occurs when your lungs can't pump enough oxygen into your blood and can't expel carbon dioxide.
In pneumonia, the lungs become inflamed, making it harder to breathe.
In acute respiratory distress syndrome, when fluid leaks into the lungs, a ventilator may be needed to help you breathe.
Acute liver failure occurs when your liver suddenly stops working.
In acute kidney injury, when the kidneys stop working, you may need dialysis to filter your blood, and this may lead to the development of permanent chronic kidney disease.
Septic shock is an error response from your body's defenses, damaging your organs and, if not treated, can lead to death.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation occurs when abnormal blood clots form and lead to internal bleeding or organ failure.
In acute cardiac injury, people develop arrhythmias during and after they have recovered.
Chronic fatigue, including pain, dizziness, and confusion.
Rhabdomyolysis is when your muscle tissue breaks down and dies.
Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), when blood vessels in children become inflamed and may develop headache, diarrhea, fever, confusion, rash, vomiting, and belly pain.

Prevention

The most recent experts suggest:

Wear a mask and cover your mouth and nose to prevent infection.
Practice physical and social distancing; stay within seven feet apart from people.
Wash your hands with soap more often, especially after being in public places.
Holidays minimize the number of people during gatherings.
Restaurants request outdoor eating to reduce exposure to infections.
Public transportation, avoid public transportation if you can.
Vaccines, get your vaccines and boosters as they become available.
Screenings include routine medical checkups.
Be healthy, stay within a healthy weight, exercise daily, eat clean, and reduce stress.

Common Vitamins and Supplements for Immune Support

When it comes to supporting your immune system during or after a COVID-19 infection, some vitamins and supplements may help, but they are not a cure. The best approach is always to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you're experiencing symptoms or complications. Here’s a general overview of what vitamins and supplements may help.

Vitamin D: Plays an important role in immune function. It may help reduce the risk of respiratory infections. Studies have shown that people with low levels of vitamin D may have a higher risk of severe illness from respiratory infections like COVID-19. Recommended dose varies based on age, health conditions, and current vitamin D levels.
Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin C can support the immune system and might help shorten the duration of colds. It may also help protect against oxidative stress caused by infections. A general dose is 500–1000 mg per day, but higher doses should be taken cautiously.
Zinc: Is essential for immune cell function and may help reduce the severity and duration of colds. Some research suggests zinc supplementation can reduce the severity of viral infections, including COVID-19, although the evidence is still evolving. A typical dose is 10–15 mg per day, but be cautious of excessive intake, as it can interfere with other minerals.
Elderberry Extract: Has been used for centuries to boost immunity and treat cold symptoms. Some studies suggest it may help reduce the severity of flu-like symptoms, though its role in COVID-19 is still under investigation.
Probiotics: Support gut health, which is essential for a strong immune system. They may help maintain healthy gut microbiota and improve overall immunity.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC): Is an antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and may assist with respiratory function. It has been studied for its potential to reduce the severity of viral infections, including COVID-19, but more research is needed.

When to See a Doctor

You should seek medical advice if:

Severe symptoms: If you develop significant symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or a high fever that doesn’t go down with fever reducers, seek medical attention immediately.
Underlying health conditions: If you have pre-existing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or immunocompromised status, you should consult with a doctor before taking supplements, as they might interfere with medications or worsen certain conditions.
Unexplained symptoms: If you feel unwell for more than a few days, experience persistent fatigue, or have long-term symptoms (often referred to as "long COVID"), it's important to discuss this with a healthcare provider.
Supplement interactions: If you’re already on prescription medications, talk to a doctor before starting any new supplements to avoid interactions. For example, some supplements may interfere with blood thinners or other medications.
Signs of vitamin toxicity: Taking too many supplements, especially fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin D, can lead to toxicity and cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, or kidney issues. Always follow the recommended dosage or consult a doctor.
No improvement or worsening: If your condition does not improve with rest, hydration, and general care, or if you experience worsening symptoms, it's essential to see a healthcare professional.