01/05/2023
January, 2023 Virus News
I wish everybody a happy and healthy New Year and 2023!
We have kicked off the New Year with an overwhelming number of patients battling old and new viruses.
No significant developments with respect to COVID 19 have emerged since my last mid-December blog. I was never infected with the Coronavirus; however, I’m experiencing severe virus fatigue in the wake of the last three years of viruses and their ceaseless mutation games.
The 1914-18 influenza virus, which swept through Europe with devastating consequences and a high death toll is now making an improbable comeback despite advances in science and medical technology. Not only are the most prevalent flu strains gaining strength, but the Coronavirus, flu, and RSV have also formed an alliance to produce the current “tripledemic.”
COVID 19 cases are on the rise ahead of the coldest time of winter. This is likely the result of reinfections. It typically takes a few months after an infection to experience reinfection. While a prior natural infection is 92% effective at preventing reinfection, a previous Delta infection is only 56% effective against Omicron.
Those who were infected with Delta are vulnerable to reinfection with Omicron after three months. The period between infections is highly unlikely to be fewer than 23 days.
Those with poor immunity, along with immunocompromised individuals, often can’t mount an adequate antibody response to the initial infection and may be more susceptible to reinfection.
Reinfections tend to be less severe, but increase the risk of adverse health outcomes, including mortality.
Our sole weapon against the Omicron subvariants that have overtaken the original Delta virus are the boosters, which have reduced hospitalizations and emergency visits by 50%. This decrease is most pronounced amongst adults 65 and older. Boosters prevented COVID 19 infections and saved a million American lives!
Two boosters follow the initial two dose round of vaccinations. The 4th booster is the most effective at preventing hospitalizations and death. Vaccinations are effective against all subvariants and also prevent the emergence of new variants. Although we don’t yet have a vaccine for RSV, because the latest boosters reduce the spread of the Omicron subvariants, we can mitigate the overall viral impact on society. Vaccines are safe and should be used for survivors of hematologic malignancies.
Researchers have found that Omicron variants tend to be less lethal than Delta was, but are more dangerous for the unvaccinated when compared to those who received the shots. Severe outcomes are less likely amongst the vaccinated, regardless of whether they were infected with the Delta or Omicron variants. (Influenza vaccinations also significantly decreased outpatient hospital visits in the U.S. during 2021-2022.) Regular exercise is believed to improve vaccine effectiveness.
Only 10% of Floridians have been boosted with the bivalent COVID 19 shots. The original series of shots were distributed to almost 73% of the Florida population ages 5 and over. People who experienced a vaccine reaction often refuse the boosters. We have had little success distributing the 1,000 sets of boosters we received.
Long COVID can be deadly and was responsible for at least 3,500 deaths in the first 30 months of the pandemic in the U.S. We are now aware that macrophages, cytokines, and proteins may be responsible for long COVID fatigue. Guanfacine (1 mg at night) added to N acetyl cysteine (600 mg in the day) improve symptoms of long COVID, like brain fog.
BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are still on the rise in the U.S., but in December, the XBB.1.5 variant became the dominant strain.
The highly infectious nature of the virus prompted the estimate that 248 million people were infected by the virus in China in the last 20 days, immediately following loosened protocols for isolation in that region.
Newly documented symptoms following a COVID 19 infection now include: fatty liver due to inflammation and seeing blue dots. Children who were exposed to COVID 19 experience an elevated risk of fracture.
A type of tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat, is also associated with a prior COVID infection. The risk is present following vaccination, but at a level of 5 times lower than those who experienced a natural COVID 19 infection.
How can you protect yourself?
The original series of vaccinations followed by a bivalent booster is a must.
Avoid crowded spaces and spas.
Masks and frequent hand washing are recommended.
What to eat if you test positive for COVID 19:
1. Vitamins D and C for increased immunity
2. Protein and high fiber foods, such as quinoa, oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat products
3. Fermented foods, which lead to a change in the microbiome and subsequent impact upon the immune response
4. Turmeric, black pepper (thins mucus and relieves nasal congestion), cherries for their high content of vitamin C, walnuts because of their anti-inflammatory properties, along with ginger and cayenne powder
5. Green vegetables, fruit, raw honey, and ginger
6. Soups or broths can be flavored with beneficial spices such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper
7. Chamomile tea and pomegranate juice
Schedule rest and get plenty of sleep.
Avoid sugar, which is inflammatory, dairy products, meat, caffeine, and alcohol. Also skip fried foods and sodas. And take a pass when it comes to chips, cakes, white bread, diet soda, and frozen pizzas.
We offer COVID 19 and flu tests. An antiviral can be prescribed if the flu test turns up positive.
Lingering symptoms associated with COVID 19 are: alopecia, bronchitis, difficulty breathing, pulmonary embolus, or deep vein thrombosis, ear, nose and throat disorders. Children tend to be more severely affected by the symptoms listed above than are adults.
COVID 19 positive cases were reported to be 33% higher this past December when compared to the same period in 2021. As America is under a viral siege, it’s time to mask yet again.
Send a message to learn more
