COVID-19

Dr. Justin Pollack, ND
Viruses cause cold and flu, in fact what we call the 'Flu' is short for influenza virus. Over 200 different viruses can initiate a cold, including rhinoviruses, RSV, adenoviruses, and even several inocuous coronaviruses. Many biologists don't consider viruses to be alive, since they require a living cell's 'machinery' to make copies of themselves. They can persist in fluids, like respiratory droplets for varying amounts of time. That said, viruses are fragile and die with simple soap and water when on your hands or exposed surfaces. Antibacterial soaps are overkill. Antibiotics are useless against them, since viruses slip into, and are hidden inside our own cells. If used against a virus, antibiotics can weaken the immune system by damaging digestive flora balance and leaving a person at greater risk for infection. One of the most effective ways our body has to kill virus, is to create a fever of over 101°Fahrenheit to 'cook them out.'

Since 2002, there have been three new beta corona viruses that have attached to receptors deep in human lungs / respiratory tracts, triggering inflammatory immune responses. For some, this creates a deadly ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) response.

• SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). In 2002-2003, this coronavirus went from horseshoe bats to civet cats, to people in China. It ended up having a 10% fatality rate.
• MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome). In 2012-2013, this coronavirus went from horseshoe bats to dromedary camels, to people in Saudi Arabia. It ended up having a 34% mortality rate.
• COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease, 2019). This virus started in horseshoe bats, and is thought to have jumped to humans from widely trafficked pangolins, since their virus has an 88% match to what is currently infecting people. Mortality rate is currently estimated at 3.4%.

COVID-19's incubation period has been tracked at 2-14 days, with a mean of five days. It is currently estimated that 80% of infected people will not progress, 20% will have severe progression, and 5% will develop ARDS (Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and require assisted breathing for 4 weeks with a 50% chance of mortality.
Can you get it twice? Probably not, but we won't know for a couple years as scientists and epidemiologists track the effects of COVID-19. Immunity developed to an influenza virus is lifelong. That said, influenza is a sloppy replicator, and every year there are many new "mutations" to influenza virus that could cause a person to get a new flu. Weak “cold-causing” coronavirus immunity lasts about a year. Immunity developed to SARS and MERS lasted several years on average.
Prevention

• Social distance. Most viruses in respiratory droplets will not survive at a greater distance than 1 meter (3 feet). Staying 2 m. (6 feet) from others is recommended.
• Stop non-essential travel.

• Hygeine (Greek and Roman Goddess of cleanliness, daughter of the God of Medicine) = Cleanliness. Washing with soap and warm water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Not touching one's “T-zone”: mouth, nose and eyes.
• N95 mask will filter out 95% of virus-containing respiratory droplets. Doubled-over homemade masks have been shown to slow viral entry/exit of the respiratory tract by ~50% to that of medical masks.
• Diet of immune-boosting nutrient-rich food. In general, COVID-19 can cause a cytokine storm that creates lung damage, and induces oxidative stress to improve viral replication. Antioxidants and flavonoids found in some foods and the spice cabinet, along with the melatonin of sleep, all decrease oxidative damage.

The NDs at Mountain-River Clinic are offering a $99, 45-minute IMMUNE OPTIMIZING VISIT for both new and returning patients. Your  health history will be kept to exposure and your determinants of health. Your treatment recommendations will be kept to the diet, daily habits, specific nutrients and herbal blends that will help you prevent infection and optimize recovery. You don't want an immune system that is weak or overly active. Doctors Scott, Nearpass and Pollack work with the body's innate healing power in order to restore balance in their patients. Our goal is to educate and empower you to participate in your own health and healing.