Tag: covid19

By this time everybody knows the basic facts about the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is a communicable respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. It was first reported in China.

Scientists are still puzzled by the origin of this virus. It is possible the virus began in animals. At some point one or more humans picked up the virus and now it has spread all over the world.

The disease spreads from person to person through infected air droplets. This happens during sneezing and coughing. It can also be transmitted when humans have contact with hands or surfaces that contain the virus and touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with the contaminated hands. Frequent hand washing is important.

Since there is no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19, infection can be prevented by observing personal hygiene.

Currently in Canada, there are three ways of testing for COVID-19 (Canada.ca).

Molecular PCR and point-of-care testing (swabs from nose or throat)

Molecular PCR and point-of-care tests detect the virus and diagnose COVID-19. If you are being tested for a possible current case of COVID-19, you will receive one of these tests.

Molecular PCR test – uses swabs to collect samples from the nose or throat which are sent to a laboratory for testing. Results are ready in 1-3 days.

Point-of-care test – involves a rapid test done at the time and place of care, such as a hospital or doctor’s office. This test uses swabs to collect samples from the nose or throat which are then tested on-site. Results are ready in 30-60 minutes.

Antibody testing (blood test – serology)

Health care providers may have access to blood tests, called serological tests, which are used to see who may have already had the virus.

These tests detect the presence of antibodies produced by your immune system in response to an infection. A positive serological test means that someone has been exposed to the virus in the past, but cannot reliably indicate how long ago that exposure occurred. As a result, they are not used to diagnose a case of COVID-19 in early stages of infection, since they don’t detect the virus itself.

This kind of test help us estimate how many people have had COVID-19, determine which public health measures need to be in place and better understand how much the virus has been circulating in the community. Positive serology does not equate with lifelong immunity.

How accurate are these tests?

Accuracy of the test depends on the timing of the test.

A positive test means that you have COVID-19 and must follow public health measures. False positive results are also possible. Health care professionals make their diagnosis based on a number of factors, including test results and symptoms.

If the test is negative but you have symptoms then you have to ignore the test results and follow quarantine guidelines. A negative test can indicate that a person is not infected, but it doesn’t always mean you’re COVID-19-free.

If you’re tested too soon after exposure, the virus may not be detected because the person is still incubating the virus and it is not detectable at the time of the test and will ultimately become infectious.

Test accuracy can vary during the course of your illness. Timing of the sample collected is important. Test positivity does not always entail infectivity. Results of RT-PCR test may remain positive for many weeks after the clinical disease has resolved. It is believed this is unlikely to be associated with replicating virus on cell culture and are unlikely to be infectious.

Stay safe, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

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Are obese individuals at a higher risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19?

Yes. We know cardiac, respiratory and metabolic diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension) are more common among patients with obesity. These have been identified as risk factors for more severe disease or death from COVID-19. It is critical that people living with obesity, and especially people with a body mass index (BMI) over 40, take all possible precautions to avoid infection.

A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity. Your BMI should be checked at least once a year because it can help determine your overall health risks.

Your aim should be to keep your waist measurement less than half that of your height. That should be easy to measure compared to calculating BMI.

It is important to remember, although BMI is generally a good way to estimate how much body fat a person has, it does not measure body fat directly and therefore is not reliable in all cases.

For example, a person may weigh extra because he or she is athletic and has a lot of muscle, and not because he or she has excess body fat.

Your risk of diabetes increases as you build more fat around your waist line.

Women with a waist measurement of more than 90 centimeters, and men with a waist measurement of more than 100 centimeters may have more health risks than do people with smaller waist line. Your waist circumference should be checked at least once a year.

Abdominal fat or obesity has more severe health effects than fat in other parts of the body. Obesity is a chronic and often progressive disease, similar to diabetes or high blood pressure.

Many organizations including Obesity Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the World Health Organization now consider obesity to be a chronic disease.

COVID-19 has imposed restrictions on people’s movements and their capacity to be mobile and active. More people feel depressed and lonely. Outdoor activities are restricted. Gyms are closed. Many people find eating a source of pleasure.

How can you take control of your weight and your life?

First thing would be to categories your weight status. Are you of normal weight, overweight, obese or extremely obese? You can do this by choosing one of the methods described earlier.

Second, remember obesity is generally caused by eating too much and moving too little. Cut back on sweet and greasy food. Make healthy diet choices. Mediterranean diet is a good choice.

Third, increase your physical activity. The four main types of physical activities are aerobic, muscle-strengthening, bone-strengthening, and stretching. Aerobic activity is the type that benefits your heart and lungs the most.

Fourth, remember achieving a healthy weight through diet and physical activity is the best way most people can improve their health.

Fifth, it is no secret that most methods of treating obesity have failed. Some are good for a short duration but most people revert to their old habits. Habits are hard to get rid of. Habits that have been ingrained in your system since childhood. Be patient and persevere. You can do it!

Sixth, experts agree there is no single solution to the problem of obesity. We should help people make better choices. Avoid your enemies – sugar, fat, salt, overeating and lack of physical activity.

Take care.

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Globally, there have been more than 10 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 500,000 deaths (WHO statistics).

It is estimated, more than one billion people face increased risk of severe COVID-19. Can we control this terrible pandemic? Hopefully, yes. But there are few challenges.

First challenge:

People with illnesses like diabetes, heart and lung problems and other medical conditions form 20 per cent of world’s population. This population is at increased risk of severe disease.

Analysing data from 188 countries (A. Clark et al. Lancet Glob. Health) the authors of this article estimate 1.7 billion people worldwide have an elevated risk of severe illness. The researchers also estimate nearly 350 million people – some of whom do not have underlying conditions – would require hospitalization if infected.

With these facts in mind, experts around the world are trying to assess how many high-risk people will need a vaccine once it is developed. The number will be in billions.

How many hospital beds will be needed? How many doctors, nurses and all other health care workers who are stressed and overworked will need care? Who will look after them?

Second challenge:

There are currently no drugs licensed for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. According to some reports, there are at least 254 treatments and 172 vaccines currently in development to fight COVID -19. U.S. taxpayers are funding six COVID vaccines currently being fast tracked and tested. If the results are promising it may take at least a year before people can take advantage of it.

Third challenge:

Recognising the illness is not easy. Although majority of the patients with COVID-19 have classical symptoms that can be mild to severe, some patients may not exhibit any symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu.

COVID-19 can make some people very ill. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable. Many experts believe this kind of illness has not been seen before in our lifetime.

Fourth challenge:

Getting the facts from reliable sources versus the stories getting ahead of the science. This causes sheer confusion.

It is estimated between 1,500 and 2,000 articles per week are published on the subject. Majority of the articles are considered of poor quality by many experts. But there is some outstanding work going on at a speed not seen before in scientific research. That is extremely positive.

Fifth challenge:

Long term effects of COVID-19. COVID-19 affects individuals in many different ways. Scientists are only starting to understand the vast array of health problems caused by the virus, some of which may have long-term effects on patients and health systems.

Coronavirus is not only a respiratory virus, the virus can affect your brain, heart, liver, kidneys and other organs. Some patients experience blood clotting disorders that can lead to strokes, and extreme inflammation that attacks multiple organ systems. The virus can also cause neurological complications that range from headache, dizziness and loss of taste or smell to seizures and confusion.

Sixth challenge:

Getting people to follow preventive measures. For example, getting them to wear a mask. But mask alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must consistently and strictly adhere to good hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical distancing. Stay at home. Go out only for essential things and keep yourself mentally and physically active at home.

Take care. Be safe. Be patient. It’s not over yet!

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!