3 THINGS TO PREVENT & TREAT COVID-19

1.  Taking Vitamin C and Zinc Boost immunity 

Multiple over the counter (OTC) products have been proposed to treat coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), but their true role remains unclear. Vitamin C and zinc are among the adjuvant treatments being evaluated for patients with COVID-19 due to their various immune-enhancing properties and possible antiviral effects.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C, at doses higher than usual seen in outpatient care, has been shown to improve mortality in sepsis and to have positive clinical results in patients suffering from viral infections. The exact mechanism of vitamin C’s beneficial effects is unclear; however, it is known that vitamin C is a potent antioxidant with immunomodulatory properties and significantly concentrates in important immune cells.

It supports the function and proliferation of lymphocyte cells and enhances phagocytic capacity and oxidative killing by neutrophils. Its additional antioxidant properties make it extremely beneficial to clearing harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) used by immune cells to deactivate viruses, but also cause inflammation and harm to human cells. ROS are especially critical in patients with respiratory disease as they cause damage to the lungs. This could contribute to the inflammatory storm that affects patients with severe COVID-19. Having a powerful antioxidant to clear the ROS may be helpful in symptomatic COVID-19 patients.

Studies have shown possible clinical benefits in patients with other viruses, including herpes zoster, varicella zoster, and influenza through an unclear antiviral mechanism. It is proposed this may occur with coronaviruses as well.

Zinc
Zinc is known to be important for immune function. It has a role in antibody and white blood cell production and fights infections, while zinc deficiency increases inflammation and decreases the production of antibodies. High-dose zinc has also been found to reduce the duration of symptoms of the common cold. Unlike vitamin C, zinc’s antiviral mechanism is more established. It inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase necessary for viral replication, including viruses such as influenza and COVID-19.

2.  Vitamin D or GET OUTSIDE FOR SUNLIGHT!

Vitamin D deficiency is common, with lack of sun exposure, older age, corticosteroid use and darker skin associated with lower concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This deficiency is associated with a higher incidence of acute respiratory infections. It is also hypothesized that there is a link between seasonal influenza and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplementation has also been shown to decrease the incidence of acute respiratory infection. While it has yet to be studied for prevention of COVID-19 infection and should not be recommended to patients, some recent articles have recommended taking daily supplements to raise 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations to reduce infection risk

3.  Have Supplies on hand in case you test positive for COVID-19

Tylenol: fever management. If you’re uncomfortable, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin. Read the label carefully for proper dosage, and be careful not to take more than one medication containing acetaminophen, such as some cough and cold medicines. Call the doctor if the fever doesn’t respond to the medication, is consistently 103 F (39.4 C) or higher, or lasts longer than three days.

Water and Gatorade: If you’re not eating, then taking your fluid in the form of soup may be a good idea. Also, electrolyte solutions like Gatorade and Powerade may be good options, but for most people, plain water is usually sufficient. It’s likely you won’t feel like doing much activity, so staying in bed is fine. Get up when you feel you can. Though water is recommended and naturally your body’s favorite liquid, Gatorade or Pedialyte drinks are more enjoyable to children.

Thermometer: to check temperature for early detection of virus and to monitor during illness. Review the different types of thermometers here- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fever/in-depth/thermometers/art-20046737

Pulse oximeter: Your pulse oximeter will show you your oxygen level as “SpO2.” Normal oxygen levels are at least 95%. Some patients with chronic lung disease or sleep apnea can have normal levels around 90%. If your home SpO2 reading is less than 95%, call your health care provider.

COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines

https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/overview/clinical-presentation/

References: 

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/evaluating-the-efficacy-of-adjunctive-therapies-used-to-treat-covid-19-the-role-of–vitamin-c-and-zinc

https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/covid-19-and-supplements-what-we-know-now/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7415215/

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/hcp/pulseoximetry.pdf