“With respect to Covid-19, science is the answer to our prayers….”
Nancy Pelosi
SARS-CoV2 is a new virus in the human population. Therefore, Covid-19 is considered an uncharted territory in the elusive world of infectious diseases.
As frontline workers battle to subdue this virus, clinical information is simultaneously collected from the patients who recover or die. Furthermore, autopsy reports from pathologists in Italy, have been quite revealing. All these data serve to illuminate our pathways towards the search for vaccines and treatments. They also inform our public health policies and guidelines.
MORE FACTS
* It is known that many respiratory viruses including influenza and SARS wax in cooler months and wane in the hot season.
* In controlled lab studies at MIT, multiplication of Coronavirus was shown to diminish under high temperature and humidity.
* In another animal study in India, viral replication was shown to slow when core body temperature was raised by 1degree Fahrenheit.
* This is the scientific basis for sipping hot water or inhaling hot air, after exposure.
* However, results of lab or animal studies do not always translate to human outcomes.
* There is presently no convincing evidence to show that Covid-19, is slow or mild in hot and humid regions of the world.
* Coronavirus is transferred from human to human through droplet infection; or surface to human through contaminated hands.
* Droplets are globules of saliva or mucus that enclose and release the viral particles, during coughing or sneezing.
* Micro droplets are smaller and travel longer after release.
* Aerosol infection happens when tiny and airborne particles convey the virus over longer distances, while talking or just breathing.
* Infrared studies have shown that droplets travel for about 1-2 meters; microdroplets about 2-4 meters; aerosol beyond 5 meters.
* A new Pennsylvania study has shown that Coronavirus can remain in the air for about 8-12 minutes, after talking loudly for 1 minute.
* This is the scientific basis for face masking and physical distancing.
* Droplets and aerosol readily dissipate in well ventilated spaces and linger in confined spaces, like restrooms.
* Statistics have shown that black people in the US are disproportionately afflicted and killed by Coronavirus.
* Possible reasons are:
1. Unequal access to healthcare.
2. Unequal share of underlying conditions like high bp, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer etc.
3. Unequal exposure to virus at work place. African Americans engage in cleaning jobs, mail delivery, medical transportation etc.
4. Predisposing socioeconomic factors like poverty and poor living conditions.
5. Unable to self isolate or maintain distancing due to crowded neighbourhoods
* Of notable mention is that these factors are replicated or grossly magnified in most African countries, including Nigeria.
* Covid-19 may be asymptomatic, presymtomatic or symptomatic.
* Asymptomatic spread is done by carriers who don’t have symptoms but can infect other people.
* Presymptomatic people are those carriers whose symptoms are just about to appear.
* They become infectious about 2 to 3 days before symptoms appear.
* Symptomatic spread is done by people who display symptoms of Covid-19.
* Asymptomatic spread accounts for about 80% of virus transmission.
* No symptoms and mild symptoms make up 80% of all cases.
* Moderate to severe illness make up about 13.8%
* Critical care to ventilators constitute about 4.7%
* Those who die make up about 1 to 2.3% of all cases.
* CDC initially confirmed 3 symptoms: fever, dry cough and shortness of breath.
* Later, it added 6 new symptoms: chills, repeated shaking, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of taste or smell.
* Surface to hand transmission is possible because the virus has different survival periods for different surfaces.
* Metal (jewelry, door knobs) – 5 days
* Wood (furniture) – 4 days
* Stainless steel ( refrigerator, pots, kitchen sink)- 2 to 3 days
* Cardboard (carton) – 24hours
* Copper (coins, kettle) – 4 hours
* Aluminum (window frames) – 2 to 8 hours
* Glass and ceramics – up to 5 days
* Paper – up to 5 days
* Plastic – 2 to 3 days.
* Cigarette smoking seems to facilitate the transfer of virus from hand to mouth.
* Smokers suffer from chronic lung conditions which increase the fatality and disease burden of Covid-19.
* However, a controversial Paris study has shown that smoking may have a potential protective and preventive effect against Coronavirus.
* Alcohol consumption undermines the immune system and increases the severity of Covid-19
* In early stages of Covid-19, there is a drop in blood oxygen saturation, days before the appearance of respiratory symptoms.
* In many Covid-19 patients, the virus triggers the formation of tiny blood clots in the blood vessels of the lungs, kidneys, heart and brain.
* These micro-thrombi are responsible for stroke, heart attack and system failure in patients of any age group.
* These findings have significantly altered the treatment protocol.
Dr. Theophine Abakporo (MD)
