Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1235208
for the latest info, visit https://www.ascpskincare.com/updates/blog-posts/coronavirus-and-your-practice 21 Before that gets misinterpreted, let me be clear: it is certainly possible to weaken our body's responses to pathogens through bad habits, poor diet, high stress, or immunosuppression caused by certain lifesaving treatments (corticosteroids, chemotherapy, etc.). And an overactive immune system is not something anyone wants. An overactive immune system leads to autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and so on, though it is not possible to simply "cause" these by taking supplements. The good news is that someone in good health, whose lab tests are all in the "normal" zone, and who generally eats, sleeps, exercises, and avoids bad habits (such as smoking) simply needs to carry on as they are. It is neither necessary nor possible to "bank" immune defenses by swallowing additional vitamin C, for example, because the body cannot store the vitamin, so it simply keeps what it needs and disposes of the rest (possibly causing an upset tummy in the process). Attempts to use vitamin C intravenously can be deadly and are currently limited to experimental or carefully controlled uses. The same goes for herbal remedies that may support organ function or detoxification, but can be lethal in high quantities. Essential oils, herbs, and other such materials may do a lot to help us de-stress, and used appropriately, they can add to our overall well-being and help us counter anxiety at this difficult time. But none of these remedies can kill a virus. In up to 80 percent of infected people, their immune system may indeed be able to do that on its own if they experience a mild expression of COVID-19, but some patients will need additional treatment and support. 14 In addition, reports on what happens in critical cases of COVID-19 suggest that one of the most dangerous phases is what is known as a "cytokine storm." This is when our own immune system overreacts to the invading virus and overcompensates by producing extreme inflammation that stops the lungs from being able to continue with normal gaseous exchange that occurs with normal breathing. This is where ventilators and drugs are needed to reduce inflammation by immunosuppression (stopping the immune overreaction) and to ensure that oxygen reaches the bloodstream through the lungs. Reports currently suggest that the timing of each stage of this treatment may be critically important to reducing the worst effects of COVID-19-induced pneumonia, and front-line physicians are still attempting to reach a consensus on those steps. 15 Unfortunately, quick-fix ways to fight the virus using homemade remedies are very popular online, with the vast majority being utter fantasy. This is another one of those cases where attempting to regain control over our lives can easily lead to buying into, or actively sharing, misinformation and possibly doing more harm than good. TRUE OR FALSE? COVID-19 can be transmitted through all bodily fluids so we should not donate blood This was a recent query I received, which demonstrated the degree of conflicting information currently available. One example from a reliable source that demonstrates the degree of confusion comes from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota. 16 The source cites a number of articles published in reputable scientific journals, which conclude that it remains unclear whether the virus is transmitted via aerosolization (dispersal through the air). These conclusions derive from two research letters published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and Emerging Infectious Diseases respectively. 17 For example, the JAMA article states that samples of body secretions (various respiratory specimens from the nose, mouth, and lungs, as well as feces, blood, and urine) were taken from patients at different times during their illness, and these are compared against basic demographic and pathological data, though not all clinical information was available, and not all secretions were collected from all patients. One percent of patients did have positive viral test results in their blood, but there is no information on what their stage of disease was, or any other clinical data. The authors clearly state that this is not enough information to form clear conclusions, but that further, more systematic research is necessary. The CIDRAP source summarizes the article information accurately. However, this is the kind of information that a less sophisticated reader may seize on as "evidence" for transmission via blood, and through an oversimplified, carelessly worded article, begin to spread misinformation. This is precisely the kind of example where great care is needed to understand the relative value of the source—and why we must choose our words with care. According to the Johns Hopkins source cited earlier, and based on what now seems to be majority consensus formed as physicians and researchers gain more experience of this virus, transmission occurs by respiratory droplets and fomites (objects on which droplets may have fallen). This information is confirmed by the American Red Cross, citing the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC. 18 According to current knowledge, the virus does not spread through blood, but even if it does, screening is in place to ensure that infected blood does not reach blood banks. TRUE OR FALSE? Some blood types are immune or less susceptible to COVID-19 than others This misconception recently made the rounds on news media around the world, and is based on an article found on medRxiv, the preprint server for health sciences. 19 The abstract inspires hope at first