Blood Types and Covid-19

Posted by jack32 @jack32, Jun 5, 2020

According to one or more preliminary studies it has been noted that people with blood group A+ are more at risk of becoming infected with coronavirus as well as needing hospital treatment. Can anyone confirm this is the case, and what advice can you give to those of us that are Blood group A+? And if this is the case then why is that Blood group A may have worse cases of the virus?

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@fiesty76 @jack32 - I am in the same boat. 76, many risk factors and my husband same. We live in a beach tourist area where everything is a free for all now. Tourist are coming , acting as if they never heard of the pandemic. Number of positives increasing of course.
We stay home all the time, except quick trips to pharmacy and to get food.
I keep busy taking care of our two old dogs, each with health issues. Walking them twice a day.
We are also selling things on eBay.
I do crossword puzzles and I’m impressed the brain still works. I also take part in discussions in a couple of interest groups on Fb - I think I definitely do that more now than before.
Trying to be patient and not think too far ahead!

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@astaingegerdm

@fiesty76 @jack32 - I am in the same boat. 76, many risk factors and my husband same. We live in a beach tourist area where everything is a free for all now. Tourist are coming , acting as if they never heard of the pandemic. Number of positives increasing of course.
We stay home all the time, except quick trips to pharmacy and to get food.
I keep busy taking care of our two old dogs, each with health issues. Walking them twice a day.
We are also selling things on eBay.
I do crossword puzzles and I’m impressed the brain still works. I also take part in discussions in a couple of interest groups on Fb - I think I definitely do that more now than before.
Trying to be patient and not think too far ahead!

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Ingegerd - I recently took up crossword puzzles again after having essentially been in what I call "Covid Shock" (generalized mental stupor!) for the past three months or so. To my great surprise, that little crosswords corner of my brain still functions and spits out the right answer far more often than the rest of the brain spits out answers to easier, more mundane problems, such as "did I turn off that water hose?" The crosswords corner must have a moat and/or a briar hedge around it.

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@fiesty76

Hi, @jack32, Because I have multiple chronic health conditions and am a "young-at-heart" 76 year old, I have been self-quarantined since March 13th. Typically one who likes to "delve deeper" and research various topics or concerns, I initially listened to daily news reports about the spread of COVID-19. Since I am also an "easy" worrier, I have been surprised at how I've managed to not become outlandishly anxious or depressed over these past weeks.

However, last week both personal and national events, coupled with my community and state throwing the public restart doors wide open, overwhelmed me. I decided that I needed to take a break from all tv and media news reports. Regardless of what is happening outside my control, I am spending more time in doing physical things like walks, gardening and indulging in music, books and hobbies that interest and relax me. My age and conditions haven't changed but the direction I've chosen to spend most of my time is restoring my calm. Local and state COVID numbers are important to me because they will determine how much longer I will choose to isolate. What diversions do you enjoy that bring you pleasure and more peace of mind?

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fiesty76 - I too am a deep delver/ constant researcher type and definitely an easy worrier. When Covid came on the scene, I took a nosedive into anxiety, complete with serious high blood pressure and assorted digestive woes. After a couple of months of that, I was doing much better, and had adapted to the point of often experiencing long periods of contentment and even happiness each day, pursuing gardening, walking, hard work around the house, and remembering to be grateful. Nothing in life is a given, there are no guarantees, and the proverbial "hit by a bus" scenario can snuff a person out at any time. I was good to go for however long Covid might isolate, stifle, and hamstring my life. I made living until November third my short-term goal, for what are probably obvious reasons.

BUT, then this sudden and huge national paroxysm of racism, violence, horror, and uncertainty happened. I too was overwhelmed, once more. My mental boat almost capsized. I felt waves of hatred for my (previously beloved) country, literally quaked with despair, and could think of nothing more than getting to a saner place to finish out my life. Since that is probably not possible, I must again right the boat and carry on. There is so much good in our country, in spite of our glaring problems, I pray that there is hope for us as a continuingly democratic republic. I am comforted and impressed by the young people who seem to have the right ideas about fairness, inclusion and unity, and a strong motivation to straighten out some of the things that plague our society. There is hope.

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@sueinmn

@jack32 & @johnbishop I know John invited me in here for a reason - maybe because I always say "Stay tuned for further developments."

I am going to play the skeptic here - it's WAY too early to pay attention to any "preliminary studies." There are far more unknowns and speculations than facts, and even this week two early reports from The Lancet have been withdrawn pending further review. Because of the newness of this virus, there are no results available yet from unbiased, controlled studies done over a reasonable period of time and then peer-reviewed, which is the gold standard for research studies.

There are only reports of what has been observed in people who got the virus. The problem with those reports is that we still don't understand who is more likely to get the virus. We do have some indication that certain factors like age, obesity, and diabetes make complications from Covid-19 more likely if you get it. And there are indications that the closeness and duration of exposure make getting the virus more likely.

For now, when considering how much weigh to give any study, consider the following:
Is the study "observational" only, or is it an intentional, controlled study?
Where is it being reported, the general media or a scientific journal?
How many people or places does the study cover, and how many doctors/scientists/institutions not otherwise afiliated with one another are part of the study?
Are the same results being reported independently in multiple studies?
Was the study peer reviewed before publication?

For myself, I consider an observational study, not peer reviewed and reported in the media to be "not ready for prime time" and I await confirmation as outlined . If it is true that people with A+ blood get more complications, it will be further studied and reported. Or it may be determined that those people are more susceptiple to getting a certain disease or illness, and that underlying illness predisposes one to more severe Covid-19 or more complications.

The best strategy at this point is to do what John says and follow precautions based on your personal risk factors. Especially, wash your hands frequently and maintain social distance.

Sue

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@sueinmn- I agree wholeheartedly with you Sue. Unless there is a peer review (and they are usually very very tough) then it's all preliminary. In the meantime taking care to social distance, hand washing, and staying away from crowds should be a focus.

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@astaingegerdm

@fiesty76 @jack32 - I am in the same boat. 76, many risk factors and my husband same. We live in a beach tourist area where everything is a free for all now. Tourist are coming , acting as if they never heard of the pandemic. Number of positives increasing of course.
We stay home all the time, except quick trips to pharmacy and to get food.
I keep busy taking care of our two old dogs, each with health issues. Walking them twice a day.
We are also selling things on eBay.
I do crossword puzzles and I’m impressed the brain still works. I also take part in discussions in a couple of interest groups on Fb - I think I definitely do that more now than before.
Trying to be patient and not think too far ahead!

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Oh, my, @astaingegerden, Tourists add a whole new level of concern. Yes, I'm spending more time with my online groups as well. Think patience is the keyword for those of us still practicing more restrictive measures; however, I've become so "comfortable" being home I now wonder when I'll begin to feel safer venturing out.

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@zep

Ingegerd - I recently took up crossword puzzles again after having essentially been in what I call "Covid Shock" (generalized mental stupor!) for the past three months or so. To my great surprise, that little crosswords corner of my brain still functions and spits out the right answer far more often than the rest of the brain spits out answers to easier, more mundane problems, such as "did I turn off that water hose?" The crosswords corner must have a moat and/or a briar hedge around it.

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@zep, Liking and laughing at your definition of "Covid Shock" ! Describes me to a tee. I can still manage my online games but the only other time I feel energized is seeing a pesky weed shooting up in one of the gardens.

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@fiesty76

@zep, Liking and laughing at your definition of "Covid Shock" ! Describes me to a tee. I can still manage my online games but the only other time I feel energized is seeing a pesky weed shooting up in one of the gardens.

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fiesty76 - I remember being completely deer in the headlights frozen. I'm so thankful that my brain is pretty much back now!

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@astaingegerdm

@fiesty76 @jack32 - I am in the same boat. 76, many risk factors and my husband same. We live in a beach tourist area where everything is a free for all now. Tourist are coming , acting as if they never heard of the pandemic. Number of positives increasing of course.
We stay home all the time, except quick trips to pharmacy and to get food.
I keep busy taking care of our two old dogs, each with health issues. Walking them twice a day.
We are also selling things on eBay.
I do crossword puzzles and I’m impressed the brain still works. I also take part in discussions in a couple of interest groups on Fb - I think I definitely do that more now than before.
Trying to be patient and not think too far ahead!

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@astaingegerdm Its a difficult time for sure . I do search a words never did like crosswords. I like the number ones also . I,ve started to cooking and baking more . Yes here too the people at the beaches I guess never heard of the pandemic . Cleaning and cooking that is my new normal . I get deliveries in groceries and meds. A first for me tomorrow will be a video conference with my Dr. Hope I will be able to manage it . I,m 77 now 78 this year .

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@lioness

@johnbishop As far as things opening up . I,m staying at home for about 6 weeks to see if virus is coming back because of this . I concerned right now for a friend who is going to a birthday party tomorrow ,don,t know how many people will be there but told her she maybe at risk going

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I am just as hesitant to venture out and will take as many precautions as always.....the less time spent in public the better...also,now I have an outpatient surgery scheduled for 6/17 and do not want to take any risks!

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@migizii

I am just as hesitant to venture out and will take as many precautions as always.....the less time spent in public the better...also,now I have an outpatient surgery scheduled for 6/17 and do not want to take any risks!

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@migizil I dont blame you anyone going to surgery should not take chances . You will have a good outcome by staying home till then . Good luck with your surgery

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