What they don’t tell you about surviving COVID-19

[Heel n Toe]

Yikes. Let's be careful out there.

https://www.sfgate.com/science/article/What-they-don-t-tell-you-about-surviving-15347792.php

[ckelly78z]

It sounds like "better safe than sorry" applies here !

[masraum]

While I'm sure these are the bad cases, and probably not representative of all cases, it still sounds like something that I don't want to risk.

I'm shocked by how many people seem to be going about their lives as if everything is absolutely normal. I guess they are rolling the dice.

This is interesting.
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200320/blood-type-may-affect-covid19-risk-study

A person's blood type may affect their risk for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, researchers report.

They analyzed blood samples from nearly 2,200 COVID-19 patients in China and tens of thousands of healthy people, and found those with A blood types had a significantly higher risk of COVID-19 while those with O blood types had a significantly lower risk, Newsweek reported.

The findings appear on the website medRxiv, where health researchers publish studies before they undergo the peer review process required by journals.

The researchers said blood type-related differences in COVID-19 risk may be due to certain antibodies in the blood, but further studies are needed to confirm this, Newsweek reported.

The finding that blood type may affect COVID-19 risk could be important for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients, because those with A blood types" "might need particularly strengthened personal protection to reduce the chance of infection."

Also, people with A blood types might require "more vigilant surveillance and aggressive treatment," and identifying a person's blood type as a routine part of treating COVID-19 and other coronavirus infections might be helpful, according to the researchers, Newsweek reported.

The study was limited because of its small size and it didn't offer an explanation for its findings, Gao Yingdai, a researcher from the State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology in Tianjin, told the South China Morning Post.

The study "may be helpful to medical professionals, but ordinary citizens should not take the statistics too seriously," said Gao,who did not work on the study, Newsweek reported.

"If you are type A, there is no need to panic. It does not mean you will be infected 100 percent," she said, addingm "If you are type O, it does not mean you are absolutely safe, either. You still need to wash your hands and follow the guidelines issued by authorities."

https://bgr.com/2020/06/07/coronavirus-symptoms-severe-covid-19-complications-type-a-blood/

The main challenge for doctors treating patients infected with the novel coronavirus is the absence of an effective treatment that can prevent complications and death. Several studies have theorized ways to predict and prevent complications, and some drug therapies were able to help patients improve after their symptoms worsened. But we have yet to see any standard approach to treating COVID-19 patients who experience life-threatening respiratory and inflammatory issues.

New research points to another potential clue for predicting the course of COVID-19 in patients, and possibly treat the disease before severe complications arrive. Geneticists think a few particular genes may point to a predisposition for severe COVID-19, including a gene that’s responsible for blood types.

Patients with Type A blood are 50% more likely to need oxygen or require a ventilator, the European study said. Type O is associated with lower risk compared with all the other blood groups.

The research was published in pre-review form on medRxiv, and it’s the result of an incredible collaboration between doctors from Germany, Italy, Norway, and Spain. Blood samples were collected from 1,610 patients who needed oxygen or were put on ventilators. Separately, 2,205 people who were not infected with the novel coronavirus also donated blood samples.

A team at the University of Kiel in Germany extracted DNA from the samples and scanned it using a technique called genotyping. They looked at 9 million letters in the genome of each patient rather than analyzing the full 3 billion letter sequence for each person, The New York Times reports. The researchers were looking for genetic differences between severely sick patients and the healthy cohort. They found two spots in the genome, two loci, where the sick people shared the same genes as the healthy ones.

In one of these locations, the gene that codifies the blood type of an individual resides. That’s how the researchers discovered that Type A blood appears to be a risk factor for COVID-19 complications. The study seems to confirm similar research from China that determined that patients with Type A blood were more likely to experience a severe case.

The doctors can’t explain this finding. “That is haunting me, quite honestly,” Dr. Andre Franke told The Times. The same locus where the blood-type gene is found also hosts DNA code that acts as an on/off switch for a gene that produces a protein involved in triggering strong immune responses. Cytokine storms, which are strong immune responses, are phenomena associated with COVID-19 complications that can lead to death.

The researchers found a second spot in the genetic sequences they analyzed that can be associated with severe COVID-19 case. That’s a locus on Chromosome 3 that houses no less than six genes. That makes it impossible to tell which one of them influences the progress of the illness. One of them encodes a protein that can interact with the ACE2 receptor the coronavirus uses to enter cells. Another is an immune gene that codifies an immune-signaling molecule.

More research is needed to provide more answers. Franke and his colleagues are part of an international project called COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. 1,000 researchers from 46 countries are collecting DNA samples from COVID-19 patients. A website already exists for the initiative, where researchers are sharing their findings.

University of Helsinki genetic epidemiologist Andrea Ganna told The Times that the newly available data pointing to a single spot on Chromosome 3 is relevant for COVID-19 severity. If these studies are successful, researchers may be able to come up with marker tests that can help physicians assess the risk that patients might develop complications. Furthermore, treatments for severe COVID-19 patients may be developed based on these genetic findings.

[unclebilly]

I think that there is a lot of information that is being withheld from us dumb commoners. I imagine time will tell what the long term effects are. In the mean time, there are very few cases in my local area and the only precautions I am now taking are constant hand sanitizer, being careful where I go (avoiding areas with a high incidence of COVID-19), and staying close to home where possible.

My best friend's mother in law passed from COVID-19 complications last week. She was old and in an assisted living home in England but ultimately died because she got COVID-19. Her husband who also had it has recovered.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I imagine time will tell what the long term effects are. In the mean time, there are very few cases in my local area and the only precautions I am now taking are constant hand sanitizer, being careful where I go (avoiding areas with a high incidence of COVID-19), and staying close to home where possible.

Very much the same here in terms of cases...fairly rural county.

I am 63 years-old so I am careful of my habits and I am cognizant of risks - I wear a mask because the State tells me too but I probably would anyway even though the masks are mostly to protect others from me!

I have spray bottles in each car plus hand sanitizers and wipes. I limit exposure and follow separation guidelines. It may help, it all may be Kabuki Theater.

The problem is that the trumpeting of often contradictory "facts" concerning CV-19, some really criminal modelling mistakes, the doomsday predictions, the quick politicization of CV-19, including, again, contradictory allegations, have caused some people to discount the "experts".

Three months of Crying Wolf will do that.

[vash]

I know a guy that got it. He recovered. He still has that headache you get from a fever. Full time. He is thinking of selling his house because of stairs. Months of headache and never being strong again.

My nurse wife told me early on. If I got it, I would probably never do outdoor stuff again.

Good luck people.

[speeder]

I have a sister, two cousins and an aunt who have had it. They have all recovered pretty well but were really sick for a long time. My sister lives in northern Italy and somehow contracted it even after being on lock-down for 2 months...must have happened during a trip to the market or just in the air(?)

My aunt, 85 y.o., lives in an assisted living facility in Minneapolis and contracted it there. She survived, was in the hospital for weeks but thankfully never went on a respirator. Her 92 y.o. husband, (my uncle), somehow did not get it, even though they live together. Or maybe he got it and never got sick...it's a weird disease.

My two cousins, (their daughters), got it and were very sick for weeks. Like sleep 23 hours a day type sick. They are both young, (43 and 49), healthy runners who never smoked and have amazing genes from both parents but it was a MFer. You do not want to get this, even if you survive. There are multiple, confirmed reports of chest x-rays where it looks like areas of "crushed glass" in the lungs after people have healed.

It's not the flu, folks. But then again, some people seem to be immune to it or barely get sick.

[ckelly78z]

If I get this virus, I most likely won't make it though (new pace maker, spleen removed, reduced immune system, scar tissue in one lung). I am not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of not living because of fear.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

If I get this virus, I most likely won't make it though (new pace maker, spleen removed, reduced immune system, scar tissue in one lung). I am not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of not living because of fear.

i'm with you brother. just an overweight with history of asthma but still at risk.

i'll die next week rather than watch the entire country go bankrupt and accept socialism out of fear.

[Bigtoe32067]

I’m with you ckelly.
I too am not afraid of dying but living in fear is not how I’ll live and like you I have lots of medical issues that would certainly cause my death if I contracted it.
I just got out of another month long hospital stay. I’m only 53 and have always been healthy and fit until 4 years ago. Massive heart attack, triple bypass, two stents, triple bypass, failure of a transplanted kidney I received from my sister a few years before my heart attack, end stage renal failure, dialysis every other day, cancer twice, reduce lung capacity because of lack of circulation, mitral valve leakage, catheter infections and multiple replacements, and lots and lots of vomiting to the point of dry heaving. Also apparently the 4 hours three times a day IV antibiotic medication I received during my last hospital stay caused me seizures so I can’t drive anymore, at least for a while.
I also take immunosuppressant medication several time a day in addition to 36 other pills, none of which are vitamins or other otc mediation.
All in the last four years, all related to my heart attack and the 63 day hospital stay after.
I should be miserable but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been because I have a wonderful family and the love of the greatest woman I’ve ever known.
The worst part is having to sell my car collection but I can’t get in and out of most of them and I don’t know when I’ll be able to drive them again. Plus I’ve spent more time riding in ambulances than I have driving my cars.
Ferrari is sold and going this week and I’ll have to draw straws on what’s next.
None of this is intended to make people feel sorry for me but entirely the opposite. I guess my intent is show that poor health doesn’t have to dictate your happiness.
God bless all of you out there dealing with your own health issues and find the positive things in your life and focus on them and maybe you, like me, can find extreme happiness from the people and things in your life that matter.
Good luck to you all.
Tony

[Bigtoe32067]

Wow. I can’t believe I just shared all of that with you all.
Might as well share more.
I was a 100% disabled Texas vet for many years before any of this started.
Tony

[speeder]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

If I get this virus, I most likely won't make it though (new pace maker, spleen removed, reduced immune system, scar tissue in one lung). I am not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of not living because of fear.

Just don’t get it, CK. Use common sense and don’t let the political BS on either side affect your choices. I carry rubbing alcohol in my truck and wash my hands w it after any questionable outside contact, like using a gas pump, etc. Things where a bunch of random people have recently touched something. Been working great for me so far.

I’m not afraid of dying either, I figure that I won’t even know it happened. I just don’t want to be tortured to death, like choked for air.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Bigtoe32067

Wow. I can’t believe I just shared all of that with you all.
Might as well share more.
I was a 100% disabled Texas vet for many years before any of this started.
Tony

Tony, it’s ok...you’ll get nothing but brotherly love from this side of the forum. My health issues are nothing like yours but there is a good chance that I wouldn’t survive Covid as well. I ran like a coward from SoCal to our cabin in northern WI. when it started and I’ve been here ever since, not because I’m so worried about it anymore but because I’m loving it up here.

My biggest worry was leaving a yard sale for my survivors, most of whom live far away and don’t have time in their lives to move to CA. and deal w all of my possessions, which tend to be large and on wheels.

Avoid the virus and have faith, the body sometimes heals in amazing ways. Be well.

[911boost]

Did legion have type "A", is that why he died?

Being serious now, I am taking precautions like everyone but also not living in fear as has been mentioned.

[RWebb]

I don't get the "living in fear" comments.

You take precautions, just as you would when using a chainsaw, driving an old car, traversing a glacier, flying a plane, using an impact wrench... etc.

Maks clearly help you - not just others. Even surgical masks, much less N95.

[vash]

i'm not afraid of dying peacefully in my sleep.

suffering, pain, gasping for air..all that stuff. no thanks. i've seen it first hand, and it haunts me. safety. this applies to my entire life. i wear a mask since they say it helps protect others, i check firearms for empty if someone hands me a gun, i wear a motorcycle helmet, i cut away from my hand for the most part. its the little things for me. you do you, i wont say a damn thing..me, i do me.

imagine catching this and needing Dialysis as a result? eff that!! my simple joy in life is backpack hunting, climbing mountains after trout and beast. i need my feeble lungs. i'll stay the course. mask, gloves in grocery stores, stay home as long as i can.

i went hiking this past weekend. felt great. i stepped way off the trail if a fellow citizen didnt have a mask. i was in no hurry, and was thrilled to see and wave at others. i was in a good mood and was in no need to judge. and bless the person that invented those "boy shorts".

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by RWebb

I don't get the "living in fear" comments.

You take precautions, just as you would when using a chainsaw, driving an old car, traversing a glacier, flying a plane, using an impact wrench... etc.

Maks clearly help you - not just others. Even surgical masks, much less N95.

I don't either; since when does taking precautions against a potential danger equal living in fear? By that rationale, I guess people that are walking around armed, in case the boogeyman jumps out of some nearby bushes, and those who stockpile food, ammo, etc. at home, are the most fearful people out there.

[Seahawk]

I’m with my Navy Buddy who is in a long slow death spiral.

I’m in my car outside his Doctors office. I squire him around twice a month so he can get the pain medications he needs.

When he gets back we’ll hand sanitize, spritz him down a bit and he’ll keep his mask on for a few minutes. I’ll keep the windows down then crank the a/c. I have gloves in the car as well.

Fear as nothing to do with it. We both flew helicopters off of small ships in all weather in huge sea states day and night. We know what fear is: not being prepared or cognizant of the risk.

Preparing isn’t fear. Following really simple precautions isn’t fear. Ignorance is fear.

My life has not changed in the past four months except I used to go sit in the waiting room with him.

I’m not stupid.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Simple fundamental question here guys - do you believe we should fundamentally change our society to reduce the level of risk associated with COVID? Should we all wear masks perpetually? Should my kids never go back to school? Should we never have another large sporting event or gathering? I know some of those statements are on the dramatic side, but we aren’t far from some of these things disappearing. What if there’s a “second wave” as the media is already hinting at (foreshadowing)? That will effectively torpedo any large events over the fall and winter and likely lead some states/cities back into lockdown mode. Is this worth changing our society forever? Also, I’ll ask one question - if this was really such a big scary thing, why is there such a concerted effort to convince everyone that it’s a big scary thing? If that were really true, wouldn’t we all see it and not need convincing?

[RWebb]

No.

But there have been a number of changes in society after large pandemics. Too long ago to remember but they are documented in histories on disease outbreaks.

One obvious one is sewerage and flush toilets. The MD considered to have been the founder of Epidemiology discovered the cause of an epidemic in Victorian England by mapping the cases and tracing them to wells for drinking water in London.

Expect some changes in society this time too - mostly, things that were underway (Amazon & etc.) will be accelerated. "fundamentally" ?? how is that defined?

We will likely see some architectural and HVAC changes in certain buildings, like medical clinics. Just locally, I already gave some suggestions on that - pretty easy to refurb some clinics.

And BTW, it's not the media is hinting at a “second wave” - it is epidemiologists. Check out what is happening in Brazil. Those reservoirs of virus will be 'dumping' on the N. hemisphere again.