Will Warm Weather Slow Down the Coronavirus? Here's What Experts Think

It's April, and you know what that means: Spring is here, the weather will start warming up, and that nasty seasonal flu virus will start fading away a bit. All good news—but what about that other virus we've been dealing with? As springtime approaches and the temperature begins to rise, will SARS-CoV-2—the virus at the root of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19)—also be affected?

Unfortunately, no one knows for sure—and even experts can't seem to agree on whether or not warmer weather will slow down the coronavirus.

According to a new article in National Geographic, viruses that cause influenza or milder coronaviruses (yes, there are seven in total that affect humans, some much less concerning than others) often subside in warmer months due to a concept called "seasonality," or a predictable rise and fall depending on the time of year. That seasonality also has to do with how certain viruses respond to heat and humidity, along with the fact that when the temperature rises, people spend less time inside where viruses can more easily spread.

However, because SARS-CoV-2 is so new, there's no way to say for sure whether the virus will experience the same seasonality as other viruses. "I hope it will show seasonality, but it’s hard to know," Stuart Weston, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where the virus is being actively studied, explained to the magazine.

Maciej F. Boni, an associate professor of biology at Penn State University, also pointed out to the Philadelphia Inquirer that there is one major difference between the novel coronavirus and the flu: immunity. While many of us have built up an immunity to the flu, this isn’t the case with the new illness. Basically, SARS-CoV-2 is encountering a "completely susceptible" US population. "We’re not off the hook just because we’re getting to springtime and the warmer weather," he explained.

Still, some experts are decidedly more optimistic. According to Jeremy Brown, MD, director of the Office of Emergency Care Research at the National Institutes of Health and author of Influenza: The Hundred-Year Hunt to Cure the Deadliest Disease in History, similar to the flu, COVID-19 will not survive as readily in warmer temperatures. “COVID-19 will slowly recede as the warmer spring climate provides conditions that the virus cannot tolerate,” he tells Health. "Spring will be very welcome this year."

Some new research—specifically an early analysis by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—echoes this idea, reporting that most coronavirus cases had spread in areas with lower temperatures (between 37.4 and 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Conversely, while there have been reported coronavirus cases in countries with in the Southern Hemisphere (and in the middle of summer), cases in regions with temperatures over 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit account for less than 6% of cases globally so far.

A review published April 7 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) fails to provide clarity one way or another. According to NAS, there's some data to support waning cases of viral illness in warmer and more humid climates, but none of the studies are without limitations. "Given that countries currently in 'summer' climates, such as Australia and Iran, are experiencing rapid virus spread, a decrease in cases with increases in humidity and temperature elsewhere should not be assumed," according to the report.

NAS concluded that many factors other than weather and humidity may play a role in human-to-human transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and it noted that additional studies on the current pandemic may shed light on the effects of climate.

Bottom line: no one knows exactly how COVID-19 will react to warmer temperatures in the US —which means that you definitely shouldn't begin letting your guard down just because it's warming up outside.

Instead, experts agree that everyone should continue to follow the preventive measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include: avoiding close contact with people who are sick; cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces; and washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom and before eating.

The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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6 Over-the-Counter Medicines to Treat Mild Coronavirus Symptoms, According to Medical Experts

It’s no secret that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought with it a lot of 
confusion and questions about the mechanism of the virus, like how it’s spread, who it affects, what the symptoms are, and—perhaps most importantly—how to treat it. While there is currently no vaccine or cure for it, the good news is that medical experts say many cases can be treated from the comfort of your home similar to how you’d handle the common cold or flu.

“Most people with coronavirus have a mild illness and will recover on their own,” Edward Fisher, MD PhD, a preventive cardiologist at NYU Langone, tells Health. “Often, their illness will feel like a common cold, and can be treated the same way as that with over-the-counter medications.”

Stephanie Hopkins, a Nurse Practitioner at NYU Langone, agrees that most healthy individuals can manage their symptoms at home. “Over-the-counter medications won’t shorten the length of the illness but may be helpful for mild upper respiratory symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat; and nasal and sinus congestion,” she said, adding that it’s also a good idea to contact your healthcare provider for individual advice.

Dr. Fisher recommends looking for cold medicine that contains acetaminophen to reduce minor fever and aches, a decongestant to minimize nasal pressure, and throat lozenges for irritation. Hopkins notes that it’s suggested to use acetaminophen (like Tylenol) instead of Ibuprofen (like Advil) as a fever reducer in suspected or confirmed coronavirus cases. “If you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or GI bleeding, talk with your health care provider before using these medicines, “ she adds.

According to Hopkins, other over-the-counter medicines that can help alleviate symptoms include cough expectorants like Mucinex or the generic version for the ingredient guaifenesin, cough suppressants like dextromethorphan or Robitussin, and decongestants like Sudafed or pseudoephedrine—though anyone with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or thyroid conditions should avoid decongestants.

Dr. Fisher and Hopkins stress that if your symptoms worsen or become severe—for example, if you have a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (for adults) or difficulty breathing—you need to call your doctor or get medical help immediately.

With this input in mind, we found 6 over-the-counter medicines that are still available to buy online and be shipped right to your door in about a week. Below, shop these expert-recommended OTC picks—including pain relievers, fever reducers, cough suppressants, throat lozenges, and expectorants—so you can treat your mild symptoms and be on your way to feeling like yourself again.

Both medical experts recommended acetaminophen for relieving aches, pain, and fevers commonly associated with COVID-19. Tylenol is the most well-known form of acetaminophen, and these extra strength, extended-release tablets for adults each contain 650 milligrams of the active ingredient for up to 8 hours of relief. The 24- and 100-count bottles are still available to order online.

Guaifenesin, often known by the brand name Mucinex, is an expectorant that can help thin phlegm and treat chest congestion from upper respiratory viruses. These extended-release tablets each include 1,200 milligrams of guaifenesin for up to 12 hours of relief so you can breathe easier. You can also opt for a 100-pill value pack of the generic version of extended-release guaifenesin that ends up being cheaper.

Hopkins recommends using Sudafed to relieve nasal congestion that can result from COVID-19, the common cold, or the flu. This non-drowsy, maximum-strength option from Walgreens is the generic equivalent to Sudafed—it contains 10 milligrams of phenylephrine to minimize nasal swelling, resulting in less sinus pressure and pain. These tablets use phenylephrine for its decongestant benefits, but you can also opt for a medication with pseudoephedrine, which requires you to show identification and pick it up behind the pharmacy counter (no doctor’s prescription needed).

For a combination drug that can reduce multiple symptoms, try Mucinex's Severe Congestion Relief caplets for adults. Using maximum strength doses of acetaminophen, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine, the non-drowsy medicine acts as a pain reliever, fever reducer, expectorant, and nasal decongestant in one, so you can treat a host of symptoms simultaneously and feel better faster.

Another option from Mucinex, this multi-symptom pack comes with 10 maximum-strength capsules for daytime relief and 10 for night. The non-drowsy day pill contains 3 doctor-recommended ingredients to treat coronavirus symptoms—acetaminophen, guaifenesin, and a decongestant—while the night pill uses an antihistamine instead of a cough expectorant to help you sleep.

Dr. Fisher recommends lozenges to help soothe irritation from a sore throat or cough, and we like this fast-acting option from Chloraseptic. The cherry-flavored lozenges use benzocaine and menthol to numb the throat slightly to minimize pain and soreness. Available in an 18-pack for just under $6, they’re easy to pop in your mouth for quick relief no matter where you are.


The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Study finds that cats, ferrets can be infected by Coronavirus, WHO to look into transmission between pets and humans

Cats can become infected with the new coronavirus but dogs appear not to be vulnerable, according to a study published on Wednesday, prompting the WHO to say it will take a closer look at the transmission of the virus between humans and pets.

The study, published on the website of the journal Science, found that ferrets can also become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the scientific term for the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

Dogs, chickens, pigs and ducks are not likely to catch the virus, however, the researchers found.
The study was aimed at identifying which animals are vulnerable to the virus so they can be used to test experimental vaccines to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 83,000 people worldwide since it emerged in China in December.

SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have spread from bats to humans. Except for a few reported infections in cats and dogs, there has not been strong evidence that pets can be carriers.

A tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City who developed a dry cough and loss of appetite after contact with an infected zookeeper tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday.

The study, based on research conducted in China in January and February, found cats and ferrets highly susceptible to the virus when researchers attempted to infect the animals by introducing viral particles via the nose.

They also found cats can infect each other via respiratory droplets. Infected cats had the virus in the mouth, nose and small intestine. Kittens exposed to the virus had massive lesions in their lungs, nose and throat.

“Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in cats should be considered as an adjunct to the elimination of COVID-19 in humans,” the authors wrote.

In ferrets, the virus was found in the upper respiratory tract but did not cause severe disease.

Antibody tests showed dogs were less likely to catch the virus, while inoculated pigs, chickens, and ducks were not found to have any strain of the virus.

“It’s both interesting and not terribly surprising in the sense that with the original SARS epidemic, civet cats were implicated as one of the vectors that may have transmitted virus to humans,” said Daniel Kuritzkes, head of infectious diseases at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“What these data do provide is support for the recommendation that people who are with COVID-19 should be distancing themselves, not only from other household members but also from their household pets, so as not to transmit the virus to their pets, particularly to cats or other felines,” he said.

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday it is working with its partners to look more closely at the role of pets in the health crisis.

Based on the evidence so far, WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove told a news conference: “We don’t believe that they are playing a role in transmission but we think that they may be able to be infected from an infected person.”

The WHO’s top emergencies expert Mike Ryan asked people not to retaliate against animals over the outbreak.

“They’re beings in their own right and they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. They are victims like the rest of us,” he said.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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Using a homemade mask for coronavirus? Avoid making these mistakes

The right way to wear a mask

Fearing the ongoing crisis, the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Ministry of India have urged people to wear a mask whenever they step out. Guidelines have also suggested many to make their own masks at home.

While homemade masks may not be the best form of defence, they can help cut down the risk of infection. Masks are especially helpful when you step out or travel in public places and more so if used by someone who exhibits symptoms associated with the coronavirus.

Wearing a mask is definitely a good measure to protect yourself, however, it's vital to ensure that you wear it the right way.

Here are some of the top mistakes you should avoid
Using a mask which only covers your mouth or using an ill-fitted mask

Whether you are using a surgical grade mask or a cloth mask made at home, ensure that the fabric covers both the nose and the mouth area.

A mask which simply just covers the mouth area can allow germs and contagious viruses to enter in the nasal passageway and spread infection. An ill-fitted mask also doesn't work efficiently in ceasing the transmission of the virus. Hence, it's crucial you ensure the mask fits properly and covers your face.
 
Taking off the mask too soon
Another mistake people make is wearing it or removing it at improper times. Before stepping out of your home, ensure that your hands are clean and sanitized so that you don't spread any germs onto the mask and then wear it, before exiting the house. The same way, remember to not take it off soon. Come back to a safe place (i.e., the home), sanitize hands and take off the mask using the string on the sides of it. You can also use hot water to wash or disinfect your homemade mask every time you take it off.

Touching the mask portion
While one should always remove the mask using the strings on the sides or the back of a mask, the same way, it's important to not touch the exterior of a mask. The front of the mask or the outside portion (especially homemade masks) can be an easy space for contamination and can transmit germs onto other surfaces.

Removing the mask to talk
Talking through the mask may seem difficult, but that doesn't mean you remove the mask to talk to the ones around you. Remember, coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets. Virus can spread if you are talking to a person who is sick (and remember the person can also be asymptomatic but can still transmit germs), thereby negating the benefits of wearing a mask in the first place.

Remember, wearing a face mask can lower the spread of infection and it works best if you combine this habit with other safety measures like hand washing, sanitizing and social distancing.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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Are you weakening your immune system by committing these 5 mistakes?

As the novel coronavirus continues to wreak havoc, nations around the globe are taking strong measures in a bid to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Among city lockdowns, quarantines and depressing news on the television, it is understandable if you are feeling overwhelmed and down. This is why it is important to pay attention to our immune system to fight this battle against the pandemic.

In addition to eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, pay attention to these common mistakes that could be putting a strain on your immune system.
 
​You are stressing out
While a global pandemic is a reason in itself to put everyone on the edge, if you get overwhelmed and impacted with tiniest of changes around you, it is time to change that habit. When you are stressed and panicking, your body releases cortisol into your bloodstream. This, in turn, may actually suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible to illnesses.

What can you do? If you feel that a particular situation is stressing you out, the best thing you can do is remove yourself from the situation, distract yourself and do some meditation to calm your nerves.
​ 
Sedentary lifestyleBeing on lockdown isn’t necessarily an excuse to skip a workout. Infact, if you weren’t following an active lifestyle before the COVID-19 outbreak, it is time to pull up your socks and start exercising. The internet is flooded with workout sequences that you can easily do at home. If nothing else works, you can always start with some stretching and yoga.

However, it is important to remember that just as a sedentary lifestyle can threaten your immunity, overdoing the same can also take a toll on your immune system. So, try and find a balance between being a couch potato and working out like an Olympic athlete.

​You are 'Netflix'ing and chilling your sleep away
We understand that the lockdown has given you ample time to bing on long-pending series and movies. However, it is also important to maintain a proper sleep schedule and get at least 6 to 8 hours of shuteye. This is because your body builds up the strength to fight inflammation and infection as you sleep.

While the duration of sleep varies from person to person, the bottom line is you need to be well-rested and put a pause on that web series when your body starts showing signs of exhaustion. Our advice? Steer clear of any technology at least an hour before you hit the sheets.

​Smoking
Yes, in case you didn't know, smoking isn't doing your body any good. So, in addition to toasting your lungs, it is also messing up with your immune system and leaving you more prone to catching flu and other viral infections. For the uninitiated, nicotine can increase your cortisol levels which can you leave you more susceptible to infections.

Moreover, lighting up can also lower the levels of protective antioxidants in your blood. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the best way to kick the butt is to go cold turkey, when compared to gradually reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day.

​Binge drinkingIn case you did not know, drinking and spraying alcohol all over your body will not kill the COVID-19 virus. Not only this but occasionally overdrinking can also wreak havoc on your immune system as it disrupts your gut flora and leads to inflammation of the liver.

It is important to understand that consuming any amount of alcohol is injurious to your body. This is why we strongly advice against the consumption of same, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement