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COVID-19 Coronavirus and Lung Health: What can you do?
Good morning- I have hesitated to post anything about this new and dangerous group of viruses because I am certainly not qualified to discuss any science. And certainly not about genetics and viruses. But I can discuss how we can lessen our fears, be as prepared as we can and very simply if we get it, what do we do?
First of all the COVID-19 is the name for many similar viruses. It's not just one. It is believed to have started by bat guana in Wuhan, China. Wuhan is the very large capital of Central China’s Hubei province. It is a commercial center divided by the Yangtze and Han rivers. This virus spread very quickly, perhaps like the flu. And because of travel. it is spreading throughout the world, and it is here in America. This is a group of very dangerous viruses has the potential to kill and has. Many of us with breathing problems must be very diligent to protect ourselves as much as we can.
You can help protect yourself by doing these things:
Keep your hands clean. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Cover your cough and sneezes to keep germs from spreading to others. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick.
If you have these symptoms please see a doctor: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath
I know that a lot of us have at least two of these symptoms already. So if your shortness of breath or your coughs become worse and you feel ill then it is time to seek medical help.
Here are several sites that have addressed the Coronavirus for more information.
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/27/what-is-covid-19
- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/qa-on-covid-19-from-mayo-clinic/
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
If you know of anyone who is ill please stay away from them. Passing along the facts about this group of viruses is the best that you can do to help others avoid getting ill.
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Thank you. This is very informative, I've forwarded the link to my friends. Is this a weekly podcast?
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2 Reactions@mayofeb2020 -- It is a weekly podcast. You can access it and previous podcasts on the Mayo Clinic Radio page here:
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/podcast/mayo-clinic-radio/
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4 ReactionsExcellent!
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3 ReactionsGood morning- I have stage 4A lung cancer. I am 22+ years strong. But I always wonder how my immune system will hold up under pressure. Daily I have been bombarded by everything out in the universe and I have been lucky so far. I've had a few cases of bronchitis and only one case of pneumonia. My body is used to fighting these elements. But COVID-19 is new and there is still little known about how it works. The coronavirus is testing our immune system. It is pushing hard and as we know for certain groups it is deadly. But how does our immune system work during this a pandemic? As the immune system works to fight it off I wonder if it has the strength to prevail as a woman of mature age before it completely destroys what little lung I have left.
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5 Reactions@merpreb Very informative. I will have to go and watch that other video that @johnbishop posted also.
JK
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4 ReactionsI just posted this on another Covid-19 discussion, but thought it worth repeating here:
I would like to add that I know first-hand how quickly researchers are responding.
Last week my niece and her research team at the U of Minnesota immediately set aside their long-term stroke research, and within 48 hours applied for and received a grant, and started a study to identify effective treatments to prevent or mitigate Covid-19 in people who are known to be exposed, but are not yet showing severe symptoms. (There are also studies there for developing treatments for the currently infected, developing a vaccine, and quickly making basic ventilators from readily available supplies, among others.) The teams are working round-the-clock to find answers, while putting their own lives on hold and relying on family & friends to care for their kids.
But we need to understand the process - postulate, experiment, test for effectiveness, repeat until an effective treatment is found, test for safety, apply for & receive approval, produce & disseminate.
This is not instantaneous, which is why it is so important to do all we can to slow the spread. And to not jump to conclusions based on early anecdotal reports of "breakthrough" treatments.
For the immediate future, our most effective treatments are distance or isolation, good sanitation and staying home (as in do not travel unless truly necessary - why I am still in South Texas instead of home with my family.)
Please everyone, take this seriously and stay safe.
Sue
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7 ReactionsSo encouraging. These researchers and medical employees are the true heroes of our time. Appreciated your information and comments. Thank you, Sue.
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3 ReactionsMayo Clinic Connect brings together people from all over the world with many different diseases and tests and scans. We all come here wanting support and hopefully answers to questions that have baffled us about our diseases. We come to Connect wanting to find someone else who has the same thing, to find tips and new ideas on how we can control more of our symptoms, bandage something better, clean a machine or ask about pain and medications. We all want to support and be supported, comfort and a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on or tough ears for a rant or two. We want to feel better and be recognized that we aren't going nuts and be believed that our symptoms are real. We want good science-based knowledge and resources to back them up. We want the latest news on our conditions and treatments. We want to be heard and to hear. I came here looking to find answers and I found a community of the most wonderful people, willing to help me find what I needed to better care for myself and support me in living the best life that I can have with stage 4 lung cancer. I came to Connect for one thing and continue to receive so much more.
https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2020/03/coronavirus-prompts-70-berklee-college-musicians-to-collaborate-on-rendition-of-what-the-world-needs-now-video.html
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6 ReactionsEveryone should see this....
COVID-19 Virtual Reality Technology at GW Hospital V3 -- The George Washington University Hospital uses 360 degree virtual reality technology to show the damage done to the lungs of a COVID-19 patient. It shows a stark contrast between the virus infected abnormal lung tissue and the more healthy adjacent lung tissue.
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2 ReactionsI got a pneumonia vaccine yesterday. I qualify because I have asthma. People can qualify for other chronic lung disease or conditions as well. People don't die from Coronavirus. They die from pneumonia caused by the virus. I got the vaccine that protects against 32 strains of bacteria that cause pneumonia.
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2 Reactions