COVID-19: As the Coronanirus Mutates and People Experience “Long COVID,”
each of us is responsible for saving ourselves and others from possible death or debilitation.
Note: It’s not that hard, so Just DO It!
UPDATES ~ September 2024
COVID-19 IS SURGING NOW
and
NEW BOOSTER SHOTS NOW ARE APPROVED. THEY SHOULD BE BETTER AT CONTAINING THE LATEST KNOWN VARIANTS OF COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted this update about COVID-19.
As of August 16, 2024*, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 27 states, declining or likely declining in 4 states, and are stable or uncertain in 17 states.
Fortune magazine reports:
It’s that time of year again, the season of road trips, pool parties, afternoon thunderstorms—and skyrocketing COVID infections. The virus has spread far and wide this summer; President Joe Biden tested positive in July and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 40 athletes at the Paris Olympics have been infected with COVID or other respiratory illnesses.
“COVID-19 is still very much with us,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO interim director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, said during a news conference Tuesday. “Data from our sentinel-based surveillance system across 84 countries reports that the percent of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been rising over several weeks.”
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https://fortune.com/well/article/covid-summer-surge-2024-symptoms-treatment-isolation-guidelines/
Understanding COVID-19
Coronavirus belongs to a family of highly infectious viruses. It caused an outbreak in 2019, posing many challenges for world governments, and affected the lives of millions of people throughout the entire globe.
The family of viruses COVID-19 is part of is very large. It consists of viruses that cause respiratory diseases in humans. Their characteristic feature is crown-like spikes on the virus’s surface, which is why they are called ‘coronaviruses.’ In addition to COVID-19, this family includes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Coronaviruses that affect humans were first discovered in the 1960s.
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https://healthsea.com/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/#Understanding_COVID-19
Mutants!
As we learned, while the pandemic progressed over time, the virus continued to mutate. That means it still creates new variants of itself as it adapts to overcome resistance.
Resistance
The virus’s resistance could be from an animal’s or person’s compromised immune system. The virus can win the war waged by the antibodies in your immune system if you already have certain weaknesses or illnesses.
It also could stem from having adapted to and overcome the efficacy of vaccinations and medications used to treat the virus. In other words, it’s constantly trying to outsmart our attempts to quell or kill it, just as we adapt and find new ways to survive life’s challenges.
That means it “mutates” and becomes immune to things we use to kill it.
Here Is What You Need to Know
About the Corona Virus COVID-19
IT MATTERS!
Key points to remember at all times
- The virus is invisible to the naked eye, so you cannot tell if it’s present by looking at anything.
- It also is AIRBORNE! It can hang in the atmosphere (particularly where high humidity is present) and spread the infection to those who breathe it in.
- The virus is transmissible to others even by people who have no symptoms of the disease and are unaware they have it or can spread it.
- Many people have compromised immune systems.
- That could be because of reduced immunity related to age.
- It also might be because of health conditions, such as having asthma. Details below.
- Your responsibility is not just to yourself, but also to anyone who could come into contact with you and get the disease from you. You might be able to survive having COVID-19 with relative ease. Others can die from it or get “Long COVID” with devastating health and life consequences.
HIGH-RISK FACTORS FOR COVID-19 INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
“Risk factors also include age, overall performance of the immune system, and comorbidities. Older people and those who suffer from underlying health problems are more likely to experience COVID-19 symptoms. These conditions include:
Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Weakened immune system
Liver or lung disease
Severe heart diseases, including heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease
Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
Chronic kidney disease
Substance use disorder
***
https://healthsea.com/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/#Understanding_COVID-19
There are simple things each person can do to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, and you probably already know what they are!
START BY CARING ABOUT YOUR EFFECT ON OTHER PEOPLE AND ANIMALS!
DON’T BE “IN DENIAL” PUTTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS AT RISK!
- Get vaccinated! (You might still get the disease, but it is likely to be much less deadly or severe.) Vaccinations have been given to millions of people worldwide and have proven to be one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from severe illness and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
- Cover coughs and sneezes: Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Throw away used tissues right away and wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, as the virus can get into your body that way.
- Wear a mask when you are near other people – especially in crowded rooms and particularly if ventilation is poor. I’ll discuss the types of masks in a minute.
- Use contactless payment methods to avoid touching cash or card readers.
- Wash your hands regularly and clean surfaces you touch often, like doorknobs, light switches, keys (vehicle and house), phones, purses or wallets, shoes, electronics (including keyboards and remote controls), toilet handles, water fixtures, and thermostats to keep them free from the virus.
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public places or touching surfaces.
- If you can’t find soap and water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Maintain social distancing
- Stay home if you have COVID.
- Stay informed: Keep up with reliable information about COVID-19 from health authorities and follow their advice.
Protective Personal Equipment – In this case: MASKS
Cloth masks that are cute, clever, pretty, or have messages are not useful in preventing disease, because the coronavirus droplets are airborne and tiny enough to penetrate the material.
Surgical masks are better than nothing, but they do not adhere to the face, leaving gaps through which the virus may enter. In addition, people tend not to cover their noses with the mask, rendering it ineffective except – perhaps – by helping bystanders when you sneeze through your mouth while wearing one.
Better options are N95 or other professional-grade masks, such as those illustrated below.
The COVID-19 Corona Virus
Is NOT a Cold, the Flu, or Allergies,
But Many Symptoms Are Similar!
That’s Why We Need to Test
Even Though Testing Occasionally Provides Inaccurate Results
Comparisons
A long time ago, I posted a blog about ways in which you might determine if you have allergies, a cold, the flu, or the coronavirus COVID-19. Here is the link, if you’d like to glance through those thoughts.
Corona Virus COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
COVID symptoms may appear as soon as two days or as late as two weeks after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Your symptoms may range from none to mild, to severe. According to the CDC, look for:
- Congestion or runny nose
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
According to the CDC, you should seek emergency medical care if you experience the following symptoms. They could indicate you are in a life-threatening condition.
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Lips, skin, and nail beds that appear pale, blue, or gray
- Sudden confusion
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Trouble breathing
- Symptoms that are threatening to a person’s life include the following:
Long COVID-19 Symptoms Are Severe
Rather than terrifying you here, I suggest that you go to this link for details about what can happen when the COVID-19 symptoms are not addressed. The list is long, and thought-provoking, and the illness still can be fatal. Click Here for details.
Surely I have overstayed my welcome with you on this subject by now. So, I’ll close with a plea on behalf of public health officials and the general population who ask that we act responsibly in the face of highly contagious diseases. This is not the first nor the last of epidemics and pandemics that have or will have occurred in our lifetimes. Thank you for all you do to help yourself and others stay healthy!
Disclaimer
Neither this author, nor this website, nor this web page provides information intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise heal symptoms or illnesses. We provide information for educational purposes only and to inspire the reader to do further research with authorized sources of medical research or practices. Always consult your physician or licensed medical provider for any symptoms and questions or concerns you have.
Let’s Get Well, Stay Well, and Live Well!
