Coronavirus

[storm42]

There might be differences in how the immune system recognises or responds to the virus infection. It is the actual response of the immune system that causes the severity degree. The more severe the response, the more fluid builds up in the lungs, the harder it is to breathe etc. The virus doesn't actually kill anyone directly....

Thanks for the excellent explanation Tornado. Sorry to pull just a small peace from it, but the above goes a long way to help me understand why the differences exist.

I find it worrying that the initial virus loading is not yet considered a definite reason though, and if second/third exposures could increase severity then that would be a good research direction and possibly another reason for isolation, not just to stop the spread but also reduce its effects.

Thanks

 

[storm42]

Agreed but there doesnt seem to be a definitive list or sequence, and some display no symptoms at all. Testing is going to be the only way to resolve

Agreed, I think testing would be more use than ventilators, but then, I don't have it yet.

 

[Bernhard]

On the TV news last night were face masks purchased from Germany for the NHS, there was an expiry date sticker, which when lifted disclosed the original expiry date printed on the box of */* /11.
It seems someone is buying new old stock for our doctors and nurses. . . . what a carry on. . . . .

 

[Tornado]

The reason COVID-19 has "flu-like" symptoms....again comes down to how the immune response occurs. There are many types of viruses that give these same symptoms. When people report a cold or flu, many times it is rhinovirus (literally "nose" virus) or even one of several other mild Corona viruses. True Influenza is similar again, but is usually more severe than the former.
There are effrots underway to develop serological testing for the COVID-19 virus to determine if someone has developed an immune response, typically in the form of an antibody defense. This will be useful going forward to study & look back on true population-wide exposure levels. These are not the type of tests we're hearing about each day...antibodies result typically 14 days after an infection and are not a good way manage this highly infectious fast spreader. The tests being used are PCR detection, where even a single virus particle picked up on the nasal swap can have it's RNA molecule amplified millions of times to levels which are easily sensed by the test device and then a positive declaration can be made. No technical need to wait 14 days for an immune response to be mounted. Delays we hear about are more to do with overhead/backup on the devices, transport to testing sites etc.

 

[oldmikew]

The reason COVID-19 has "flu-like" symptoms....again comes down to how the immune response occurs. There are many types of viruses that give these same symptoms. When people report a cold or flu, many times it is rhinovirus (literally "nose" virus) or even one of several other mild Corona viruses. True Influenza is similar again, but is usually more severe than the former.
There are effrots underway to develop serological testing for the COVID-19 virus to determine if someone has developed an immune response, typically in the form of an antibody defense. This will be useful going forward to study & look back on true population-wide exposure levels. These are not the type of tests we're hearing about each day...antibodies result typically 14 days after an infection and are not a good way manage this highly infectious fast spreader. The tests being used are PCR detection, where even a single virus particle picked up on the nasal swap can have it's RNA molecule amplified millions of times to levels which are easily sensed by the test device and then a positive declaration can be made. No technical need to wait 14 days for an immune response to be mounted. Delays we hear about are more to do with overhead/backup on the devices, transport to testing sites etc.

And again, many thanks

 

[gortnipper]

It would be good to have some definitive symptoms to go by.

So we could tell if it was ignition or carburation?

In all seriousness, it would be ideal if there were but so many illnesses have overlapping symptoms, it's a wonder that any of us make it past 47 - which was the average life expectancy of a white man in the US (for black men it was 33) when Pa started Norton.

 

[oldmikew]

In all seriousness, it would be ideal if there were but so many illnesses have overlapping symptoms, it's a wonder that any of us make it past 47 - which was the average life expectancy of a white man in the US (for black men it was 33) when Pa started Norton.

In Uk it was roughly the same ,but child mortality was much higher than now.

 

[Onder]

Last night I read that singer songwriter John Prine was in hospital for the flu and not doing well at all. Sad case but to remember he is older, has been in poor health for 20 years and has survived cancer twice so his resistance is probably less than zero.
On the whole, at some point, most of us may well carry the virus or get a mild case or even a bad case and survive.
As they say, your mileage may vary.

 

[EstuaryBoy]

Sky headline this morning: 'How Many People Will Die From Coronavirus?'
Reckon the proof reader must be self isolating (unless he's already dyed?)

 

[Fast Eddie]

 

[NPeteN]

Last night I read that singer songwriter John Prine was in hospital for the flu and not doing well at all. Sad case but to remember he is older, has been in poor health for 20 years and has survived cancer twice so his resistance is probably less than zero.
On the whole, at some point, most of us may well carry the virus or get a mild case or even a bad case and survive.
As they say, your mileage may vary.

That sucks

 

[Onder]

We don't live forever. In the modern western world not only are we going to live forever we are going to be young forever as well.
Sorry but this simply isnt the case.
May you stay forever young.
Nope.

 

[NPeteN]

Yes, death is just as much a part of life as living. Seems he probably won't make it, shame. 73 ain't too ancient.

 

[Fast Eddie]

 

[Craig]

Great lampoon , Nigel .... it speaks to over here in Nova Scotia as well , bummer ,eh

 

[Tornado]

We don't live forever. In the modern western world not only are we going to live forever we are going to be young forever as well.
Sorry but this simply isnt the case.
May you stay forever young.
Nope.

Nobody gets out of life alive.

 

[Tornado]

Man I miss good political satire cartoons. We have not had these in Western North America for at least a decade. Where is Gary Trudeau?

 

[Craig]

check out the 2 guys creating poli cartoons at Halifax Herald part of Saltwire comms .... they both are very keen and hard edged , no prisoners type of stuff daily

 

[Tornado]

Heres a great summary of why COVID-19 is not like the Flu:

 

[acotrel]

Sky headline this morning: 'How Many People Will Due From Coronavirus?'
Reckon the proof reader must be self isolating (unless he's already dyed?)

A class action to sue the top guys in Wuhan over coronavirus, might be effective if mounted in the International Court of Justice. Even if unsuccessful, it might serve to pull the Chinese into gear on human rights. There is no excuse for acting like GRUBS in workplaces to make bigger profits. There is a UK legal precedent which relates to flooding coal mines. If you let a wild animal out of it's cage, you are responsible for any deaths it might cause. You can be certain that any free trade agreement which is signed with China, has Investor State Dispute Provisions which undermine the actions of unions in countries in which the Chinese invest. So they can act similarly when they buy companies in other countries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rylands_v_Fletcher