COV-19: Vulnerability

In this series of posts I delve into COVID-19, focusing on why it might affect people differently and why it may turn into ‘long Covid’ for some. Along the way I also offer recommendations for prevention and symptom support.

There can’t be anyone on our planet who hasn’t now heard of COV-19. The pandemic has dominated our lives and affected us all in different ways. Some may have escaped infection so far, but for those who have caught it, why are people affected differently? And especially, why are so many still suffering long afterwards? By scientific research standards, it’s still very early days but studies and data are now becoming available so here’s what we have learned so far. 

Acute vs chronic

When you catch the virus, this is known as the acute stage. As we now know, most people experience either mild or asymptomatic illness and recover relatively swiftly. The acute stage of the illness may last up to 4 weeks. When symptoms continue past 4 weeks, it is termed ‘on-going symptomatic’. Chronic, otherwise known as ‘Long Covid’, is officially diagnosed after 12 weeks, having excluded alternative diagnoses.

While in the acute phase, you may be contagious and so should take care not to infect others; chronic Covid by contrast is not contagious.

 Pathogenic load

Our bodies are exposed to pathogens, including viruses, all the time and it is the job of our immune systems to deal with them. But for some people, at times this ‘pathogenic load’ can outweigh their immune capacity.

COV-19 hits hardest those who are vulnerable, weak or already ‘unhealthy’.

Many people, who considered themselves to be ‘healthy’, either suffered worse than they expected from acute COV-19 or went on to develop chronic or ‘long’ Covid. Why?

Health is not absence of disease

Just because you don’t have noticeable symptoms or a diagnosed disease, does not mean that everything is fine and you are ‘healthy’. Life is rarely just about extremes. In between ‘healthy’ and ‘symptoms/disease’ are ‘imbalances’ – this is when things are starting to go wrong but you’re probably not aware of it yet (it is also known as ‘subclinical’). 

COV-19 seems to attack where there are imbalances

For example, if we look at the gut, an imbalance in - or disruption of - the gut microbiome (‘dysbiosis’) may increase your COV-19 susceptibility and severity. On the other hand, plentiful ‘good’ gut bacteria can enhance your immunity against the virus.

70-75% of your immune system is located in your gut. 

Below I have summarized some of the factors that have been found to increase either your vulnerability or resilience to COV-19:

Vulnerability:

• Old age

• Disabilities

• Pre-existing condition(s): eg diabetes/high blood sugar, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, gut imbalances, respiratory disease eg asthma

• Obesity/being overweight

• Nutritional deficiencies - especially important are levels of Vitamins C and D, B6, selenium, zinc and Omega 3

• Genetics and impaired methylation

• Chronic stress and anxiety

• Dysfunctional immune response

• Lack of sleep

• Lack of sunlight

• Poor air quality and high air pollen

• Gender (acute - men; chronic - women)

• Ethnicity

• Smoking 

Resilience:

• Good nutritional status with an anti-oxidant rich diet

• Regular physical activity

• Optimal weight and blood sugar regulation

• Balanced and diverse gut microbiome

• Well functioning methylation

• Positive emotional coping style

• Adequate rest and sleep

• Daily sunshine exposure

• Strong balanced immunity

Dysfunctional immune response

Studies have shown differences in the immune response between those who experience either asymptomatic or mild infection, and those who suffer a more serious or longer term response. The latter group exhibited immune dysfunction: they were low in B cells (which produce antibodies) and T helper cells; but high in monocytes, macrophages and killer T-cells, as well as had raised platelets (which help blood to clot). This contributed to widespread inflammation, oxidative stress and organ damage, ‘cytokine storm’, pulmonary oedema and pneumonia.

 Summary

While the allopathic approach identified the most important factors which increase our susceptibility to COV-19 and protected the most vulnerable: the old, disabled and those with pre-existing diagnosed health conditions, it was too narrowly defined. As a result many not only experienced severe acute illness but also went on to develop chronic illness, or ‘long Covid’ due to immune dysfunction and many other subclinical imbalances. 

In my next post I delve deeper into ‘long Covid’ and look at the possible explanations as to why it develops in some people.

Disclaimer: these COV-19 posts were written based on the evidence available at the time of writing. As new information continues to emerge, they may no longer be up to date or correct.