This is the third installment of answers to your coronavirus questions.  I will keep going until ALL of the questions you have sent me are addressed.  Everybody’s concerns are equally important, and there are no questions that do not have merit.    

Here are today’s questions:

1)  It has now been said that the virus is airborne, so does this mean that no amount of washing hands, and cleanliness will help you avoid getting it?

It is true that the virus is airborne when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes and their droplets are released into the air.  But you can still get it by touching a contaminated surface (i.e.: perhaps a handrail or doorknob that someone with coronavirus sneezed on) and then touching your face.  So hand washing is still very important and helpful, especially after you go out in public.

2) Does coronavirus really cause fibrosis in the lungs?

There have been some reports that coronavirus can cause fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs.  These have since been refuted as inaccurate.  What IS accurate is that coronavirus can exacerbate (trigger) or worsen existing pulmonary fibrosis (PF). 

The coronavirus invades human lung cells, then the harmed cells fill the person’s airways with debris and fluid which exacerbates the shortness of breath already experienced by patients with PF.

This also sets off an inflammatory immune response which further adds to the inflammation and respiratory distress.

3) Are people who never show symptoms carriers of the virus and a danger to the others who have not yet been infected?

The typical incubation period (span of time between infection and the emergence of symptoms) of coronavirus is one to 14 days.  The average incubation period is three to five days.  

According to the CDC, people are the most contagious after symptoms have occurred—in other words, when you feel REALLY sick.

Some people may spread the virus before they show symptoms (i.e.: during the incubation period); however, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

In addition, some people may experience few or mild symptoms and not even be aware they have coronavirus (i.e.: they might think they have a common cold) and may spread the infection, but again, this is thought to be rather rare.

4) What are the best supplements to take to help prevent against the coronavirus?

The best supplements to take are those that support a strong functioning immune system, as that is your best protection against coronavirus, as well as all viruses and infections.

For immune support, the top supplements include probiotics, vitamin B12, vitamin D and vitamin C.

5) If I am prone to getting a bout of bronchitis yearly, should I be concerned about getting the coronavirus?

If you are “prone” to getting bronchitis yearly, that may suggest an underlying weakness with respect to lung function.  (I understand—I used to be the same way!  I always counted on getting bronchitis every January or February.) 

If there is a greater than average susceptibility, then that may increase your coronavirus risk…however, beefing up your immune system (especially with vitamin C, as it supports strong lung function) will go a long way in keeping your lungs healthy and counteracting any viruses or infections, including bronchitis or coronavirus.

Most people can tolerate 2,000 – 3,000 mg. of vitamin C per day.  Also, probiotics and vitamins D  and B12 will support optimal immune health.

6) If I get Corona virus once, can I get it again?

Currently the experts are saying that people who have gotten the new coronavirus and recovered can get it again in the future— similar to the common cold, the body does not necessarily become immune after infection.

Your best bet is a strong-functioning immune system!

7) When we first started seeing reports about the virus we were shown a field of dirt with many tractors and bulldozers moving dirt, was that where it originated?

There have been many theories as to how, why and where the virus originated, including snakes, bats and a seafood market.  The one consistency in all of them is that it originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province in China.    

An interesting theory has been purported by bioweapons expert Francis Boyle — whose background includes a Harvard law degree and a Ph.D. in political science, and who drafted the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989.

In a recent interview, Boyle was quoted as saying:

“There is this Biosafety Level 4 facility there in Wuhan. It's the first in China, and it was specifically set up to deal with the coronavirus and SARS. SARS is basically a weaponized version of the coronavirus.

There have been leaks before of SARS out of this facility, and indeed the only reason for these BSL-4 facilities, based on my experience, is the research, development, testing and stockpiling of offensive biological weapons.

For that reason, I stated my opinion: That this Wuhan coronavirus leaked out of that BSL-4 facility … maybe mid-November … and the Chinese government has been lying about it and covering up ever since."   

It remains to be seen what the true origin is, and unfortunately, we may never know the whole story.

8) If I contracted the virus is it likely I could just take care of myself at home? I am 73 with no underlying health conditions.

As of this writing, 209,839 cases have been diagnosed with 8,778 deaths (4%).  That means out of the total diagnosed cases, 96% of the people recovered. 

Plus, the 4% is likely grossly inflated because there are unknown numbers of cases that have NOT been tested or diagnosed.  I think it’s important to keep these facts in mind amid all the fear and panic. 

The typical treatment for coronavirus (for someone with no underlying chronic health problems) is similar to what you would do for a bad cold or the flu—rest, push fluids, use a vaporizer and stay home until you get better.  Of course, you should call your doctor with any concerns.

9) I'm with ya on the not over-reacting about this virus!! My only question is what are the normal symptoms of the virus and then what are the severe symptoms. What would cause a person to actually go to urgent care or the hospital - it seems to me if it's just a virus you would just deal with it and move on.

Coronavirus can mimic the common cold or flu—that’s one of the reasons why many health practitioners (including myself) suspect the actual number of cases (and recoveries) are much higher than are being reported.

What makes COVID-19 unique is that it reaches deep into the lower lungs, which is not typical with the flu or a cold.  At that point the person may experience shortness of breath, a dry cough that gets progressively worse, a fever that worsens and/or possibly developing pneumonia. 

As far as when to contact a physician, the medical community is recommending anyone who has coronavirus symptoms, or suspects they may have COVID-19, to contact their doctor.    

Below is a chart created using data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC that can help distinguish between symptoms of coronavirus, flu and the common cold.

10) Sherry, I found out on my search that a virus is technically NOT a living thing because they are not self sustainable.  A virus must enter a host cell be it plant or animal.  So, how does one kill the non- living? 

This is where the awesome design of your immune system comes into play!  Here is a brief summary of what’s going on behind the scenes.

Viruses can enter your body via food, droplets from a cough or sneeze, or even from your hands and fingers, where you’ve touched a surface the virus has landed on, and then transfer it to your mouth or eyes.  

Your body’s first line of defense is the skin, mucus and stomach acid.  So, for instance if you inhale a virus, mucus acts to trap it so it can’t continue on its destructive path.  (You see this in action when you get a stuffy nose with a cold.)  If you ingest a virus into the GI tract, your stomach acid fights to kill it.

But if the virus successfully makes its way into your system, white blood cells called macrophages attack and engulf the invading virus particles, killing them. Our bodies make about one million of these cells every day in our bone marrow!

If the macrophages can’t get the job done, your body will send out special cells called lymphocytes. We have two kinds of lymphocytes, T-cells and B-cells.  T-cells are needed to kill off other cells in your body that have become infected with the virus, and B-cells bind to the virus, stopping it from replicating.

Nature at its finest!

11) What are the things we need to learn to avoid or must learn to do? 

In my professional opinion, there is no better way to help prevent sickness and disease than to support a healthy gut microbiome and strong immune function.

Here are the Top 7 gut and immune boosting measures that I typically recommend:

• Take a daily multi-strain probiotic formula like Super Shield.
• Nourish your gut with lots of fresh vegetables and fermented foods.
• Drink 8 glasses of filtered water per day.
• Get enough vitamin B12, vitamin C and vitamin D.
• Destress and get a good laugh every day.
• Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
• Avoid sugars and refined carbs (that includes soda).

12) If coronavirus can be fought also with vitamin C, how much would I need to get for a 240 lb. male? Super Core has 200 mcg vitamin C. Should I take more of this amount as well? I know you probably can't say this but my doctor doesn't know either. I hear some people get 24000 mg shot into their veins. I'm 68 years young and just wanting to make sure my immune system is ok. Any ideas?

Most people can tolerate between 2,000 mg – 3,000 mg of vitamin C per day.  I personally take 3,000 mg during this time of year, over and above my daily Super Core. The amount of vitamin C in a multi-vitamin formula like Super Core is designed to make sure your body’s typical daily needs are more than met.  But for unusually challenging times like a virus pandemic, there’s nothing wrong with beefing up your supply.  Vitamin C is not fat soluble, so there is little chance of toxicity. 

And note that if you are under stress, it’s very important to take extra vitamin C.  Your body loses vitamin C at an alarming rate when you are stressed.

13) What areas are not affected by the virus and why?    

The WHO website (https://www.who.int/) has daily updates and a map showing the locations of the virus.  It would appear that the areas not thus far affected either have citizens that have not engaged in a lot of international travel and/or perhaps cases are present but haven’t yet been diagnosed.

14) How will it affect the baby in a pregnant woman.

The jury is still out on that.  The main avenue of transmission is respiratory, which would not apply in the womb. 

According to the CDC, it's unknown whether a pregnant woman with coronavirus could pass the virus to her fetus before, during or after delivery.

There have been a few recent cases of infants born to women with coronavirus, and in those cases, none of the infants tested positive for the coronavirus virus.  

15) I am living now in Venezuela SA, all hospital in this country are in a very difficult situation. What do you think is going to happen here when this virus get place in this communist and very poor country.

Although this is a difficult situation, you can always take smart measures to minimize your risk.  If you can help prevent getting sick to begin with, then the availability of medical care is not as great an issue.

The recommendations being published by the medical community and the WHO—washing hands, social distancing, avoiding people that have symptoms, covering your mouth or nose with your elbow or a tissue if you cough or sneeze, staying home if you are not feeling well, etc.—can go a long way in keeping you and others around you healthy.

Also, see number 11 above for suggestions on boosting the immune system.

16) Is it safe to visit a dentist during this time?

The American Dental Association is recommending that dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures at this time to do their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

I recommend checking with your dentist to see if they are adhering to the recommendations, and when he/she may be seeing patients on a non-emergency basis again.

17) I am almost 90 my husband 94 live Jamaica West Indies, we now have 2 confirmed cases in Island PLEASE what are the best and simplest precaution we can take to help prevent getting virus. Any particular diet, we already use about 90% plant base.  Thanks for all you information over many years.

See numbers 11 and 15 above.

18) Is it safe to wash your hands with any soap or does it have to be bacterial?

Any ordinary soap will do.  Antibacterial soaps are not necessary, and since they only counteract bacteria (and COVID-19 is a virus), they would not provide any additional measure of protection.

19) How does the CV test differently from the flu test and what are the things to lookout for that would warrant getting the CV test at all?

See number 9 above to help distinguish between coronavirus and flu symptoms.  The main distinguishing symptoms for COVID-19 are a persistent, worsening dry cough and fever, and shortness of breath.

The flu test is accomplished by rubbing a swab (i.e.: a long Q-tip) either up your nose or down the back of your throat (not very pleasant either way!). 

The test for COVID-19 is similar--in most cases, it involves taking a throat swab or a throat-nose swab from the patient.  In addition, some organizations are recommending that, in the case of a well-founded suspicion, samples should not only be focused on the upper airways but also from the lower airways, using secretions coughed up from the bronchi or lungs.

20) If I’ve been exposed unknowingly and don’t exhibit any outward signs could I be a carrier to infect someone else?

See number 3 above.

That’s it for today!  More will follow.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia

The information in our articles are NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and are not intended as medical advice.