The information posted here at DrDirect4u.com, Dr-Direct2U, LLC, and its representatives should not be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified health care practitioner. www.drdirect4u.com, Dr-Direct2U, LLC, and its representatives will not answer specific medical questions or refer people to a particular health care professional.

It is important to for anyone reading any online information about Covid 19 and/or other health issues carefully evaluate said information.  A lot of the information on the internet is profit driven and it may not be unbiased.  

Our Managing Director was in China when both the SARS and Covid 19 first appeared in humans. His first reaction to the Covid 19 virus was pure fear. Being at ground 0 gave him, a unique picture of the initial reactions of heath care organizations all over he world. The Chinese and the US government were in the denial mode.  The US government was more concerned on the out come of the next presidential election.  The Chinese were terrified of a repeat of the fiasco that the SARs virus had on their economy!

A clear picture is starting to emerge about COVID-19 a lot of this Data is still largely preliminary.  Medical journals and researchers are publishing things with less scrutiny than usual due to a need for quick answers.  However, we  have been reading all the information available, attended many teleconferences between doctors in all over the world and gathered thoughts from specialists in infectious diseases, and there is a clear picture that is starting to emerge.

Our team at Direct 2U/4U believe that many of the iterations of Covid 19 could be lethal to some segments of the world populations. This is largely because many people who become infected with the virus suffer mild or no symptoms, and so never get tested for the virus, its potential to do harm is masked by most of the world's populations ignoring the potential side effects   The good news is we are getting most of our information from those who develop symptoms serious enough to warrant medical attention.  Covid 19 and is its Variants are killing people at a faster rate than the flu, though this could be due to the very fast-moving nature of the bug, because more people are simply getting it all at once.  It tends to spread very quickly, in part because there tend to be few or no symptoms the first few days after infection, allowing people to spread the virus without realizing they have it.

We now know that the virus spreads via respiratory droplets (airborne).  These are tiny drops of water that we put into the air when we speak , sneeze or cough, or even when we keep a 6 foot/ 30.48 CM. Although droplets can stay in the air for a short while, or come to rest on surfaces like tables, chairs, and/or countertops.  The virulence of the diseases is airborne as well, increasing the area and time viruses can remain in the air, based on recent research.

There are a few unique factors to this virus that come into play once the virus gets into someone’s system.  First, the virus binds to cells using receptor sites that are already cleaved, giving it direct access into the cell.  This makes the virus more virulent, making it easier to infect someone in the first place.  Second, they possess a spike protein which is attracted to ACE-2, a receptor which lines cells in the lungs, kidneys, GI tract, and artery linings.  This makes these tissues particularly vulnerable to infection or severe damage by the virus.

Once exposed to the virus, symptoms can show within 48 hours, though it often takes 4-7 days for symptoms to appear.  Symptoms vary but typically feature fatigue, muscle pain, fever, digestive disturbance, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, a dry cough, and shortness of breath.  Most people recover in 10-14 days, though those that ultimately require emergency care and intubation take at least 6-8 weeks to fully recover.

The body’s immune response is the key factor in how COVID-19 progresses in each case.  The inflammatory response to the virus starts with Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6, and TNF Alpha, which lead to a Th1 response specific to the virus.  If the immune system is successful in clearing the virus, the inflammation resolves and your body retains antibodies that make you immune to the virus.

Our research demonstrates the virus also activates a protein called NLRP3 inflammasome in the cells it infects, which in turn triggers NF-kB – a master regulator of the immune response.  In some cases this can lead to a runaway inflammatory effect called a ‘cytokine storm.’  This out-of-control immune attack is likely what causes some cases to become critical or even fatal, as the immune system attacks infected tissue – typically the lungs and circulatory system - causing massive damage.

People with diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease are at greater risk of infection.  Not sure why, smokers and asthmatics do not seem to be at a higher risk of contraction.

Because of the virus’s affinity for ACE-2 receptors, it is important to be very careful with certain medications.  Ibuprofen increases ACE-2 receptor expression, which may increase the virulence of the bug.  Acetaminophen is not much better as it can deplete glutathione – a crucial component for neutralizing a cytokine storm.  We strongly recommend ignoring "The Donald's (aka former president) medical solutions. 

Unfortunately, research into anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu have not been promising so far.  AIDS medications are not proving promising either, nor are drugs used against Ebola.  There was some thought at first that antibiotics might help against opportunistic bacterial infections in the lungs that could be causing the pneumonia of more serious cases, but such infections appear to be mainly viral, limiting the usefulness of antibiotics.  This may be the result that the periphery of the lungs appear to be the most affected.  Because none of these medications have so far been working, the medical system can mostly just support affected patients as well as they can while their immune systems work to clear the infection.   

There has been some early promise, however, with certain antimalarial drugs combined with antibiotics.  We are very lacking in data just yet – mostly anecdotal accounts and a single small, poorly-done study from France gives some cause for optimism.  We hope to have more and better data on this very soon, as doctors in the United States begin to use this regimen in studies as well as active patient care.

Is it possible to bolster or protect yourself against the virus beforehand?  Though we don’t have studies regarding this specific virus, there are a variety of things that are known to protect against viruses and illness in general.  Getting daily exercise, especially outside in the sun (if available), making sure to get enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet low in sugar are all important, common-sense things we should all be doing.  Reducing toxic stress as much as possible also helps to keep the immune system strong and well-balanced.  Don't be afraid to wear a real 3M™ N95 face mask when in public settings as well in critical care environments!  Better to be safe than look cool strutting your stuff.  In some places like Taiwan most people wore face mask long before Covid 19.

Some of my colleagues at one of the largest multi-level  marketers in the world, are seriously studying and testing how best to use herbs and nutraceuticals for protection and cure. So far astragalus, goldenseal, and elder Vitamin C show promise.   In cases where a more major infection is present, their research how important it is to reduce inflammation, using herbs such as rosemary, melatonin, lemon balm, and sage.  To normalize the Th1 response, garlic extracts and especially certain mushrooms have good research.  We believe shiitake, maitake, cordyceps, and turkey tail should also be considered.  Zinc and high dose Vitamin D3 also have a broad effect on the immune system, modulating and enhancing its effect.  Finally, Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPM’s) enhance response to microbial threat in case of any secondary infection.

Our team at r Direct 2U/4U will continue to keep a close eye on the state of the information and we can validate same.  There’s also a lot you can do to avoid infection and stay as healthy as possible!  Preventive practices, functional medicine as well healthy lifestyles are basis of living healthy.  

You might find  "A Commentary on COVID-19" by Dr. Adrian den Boer an alternative point of view.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

With Love and Infinite Wisdom, Reed Wilson

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The information posted here at DrDirect4u.com, Dr-Direct2U, LLC, and its representatives should not be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified health care practitioner. www.drdirect4u.com, Dr-Direct2U, LLC, and its representatives will not answer specific medical questions or refer people to a particular health care professional.

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