Anything we can do to stop the CV from leading to pneumonia/serious complications?

[MrsMGE]

Just this.

It's likely we'll all get it at some point. It's unavoidable considering the vaccine is months, if not years away.

Obviously some of us may have already had it and we've been asymptomatic.

But if we haven't, is there anything we could do to stop the infection from developing into a full-on pneumonia? No one seems to be providing any advice, e.g. is there anything we can do at an early stage of the infection to improve our chances of avoiding getting seriously ill? This would be very useful advice.

Looking to hear particularly from medical professionals, although I appreciate you're all extremely busy now.

Have you watched the video made by the doctor at queen's hospital? He talks you through a breathing exercise and recommends sleeping on your front if you have symptoms.

No t really, apart from keep fit, (exercise) eat well.

Hi @Squiz81. I haven't, no - is there a chance you could post a link please?

I've been looking at The Lung Institute website and thinking to do exercises to make sure my lung capacity is good. It would be good to know if this could actually have a positive impact.

m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=u7sJw5ecFUU

Watch the video but please also read this clarification of the advice

This is really useful, thank you all! I had no idea about all this. I read quite a lot about CV every day and am surprised this hasn't been widely circulated. @80sMum this is definitely a very good clarification note and everyone should read it first not to do more harm than good.

There is some evidence that vitamin D prevents respiratory infections.

Driinking water. Can't stress that enough.

I think you were supposed to start 30+ years ago with the best life style choices & habits to minimise chances of having hypertension, heart disease, T2 diabetes, COPD, etc. Being born after 1970 helps. Being female, without genetic or immune system problems.

Basically a load of things you can't change now.

BMI - everyone's focusing on the "BMI of over 40 makes you vulnerable" thing, but I also read about the relationship between BMI and risk of COVID-19 developing into pneumonia. It said that if your BMI is above 24, it roughly doubles the risk and if your BMI is above 28, it roughly trebles it. However, I've been trying to track down the source of that and haven't been able to find it, so maybe it's not true.

I saw something about step count, those with a daily step count above 8k had a massively improved chance of being healthy with coronavirus

I'm sorry i cant remember where i saw it but ive been on a mission since

@HairyDog Drinking the usual recommended amount or more? How does it help (genuine question, I'm trying to understand as much as possible)?

@PowerslidePanda Re BMI, I heard various opinions too, but I'm not clear whether it's the BMI that is an issue or people being unfit and therefore having poor lung capacity to begin with? For example, someone can do a lot of exercise, including HIIT, and have a relatively high BMI due to muscle weight.

Can doing HIIT regularly before we get ill help too?

@Bubblesbubblesmybubbles I'm the same and have been for a while now, I average 12-13k steps per day, sadly less (8-11k) in lockdown. This is good to know.

I'm in my 30s and relatively fit now, certainly improved over the last 4 months and I feel very lucky I have. I know I might still get very ill or die, but tbh I want to do everything possible to avoid this and think we all should do our best not to overwhelm the hospitals. It's in everyone's interest.

Keep hydrated. I’ve also heard BMI is a big factor, but don’t know how true that is.

Things that can’t do any harm.
Stop smoking
Get 10 mins sunlight a day
Stay active
Lower BMI if over 40
Stay hydrated

Juries out
Do Linked to video
Take vitamin supplement
Lower BMI to under 25
Social distancing at home even if not vulnerable or infected (viral load) We’re 4 adults, some working out of the home and I’m keeping the house very aired and encouraging us all to keep out of each other’s faces.

Interesting stuff but my cup size is a F, there is no way that I will be sleeping on my front....

This is worth watching re vit D

Having optimal vitamin D levels is important. This helps prevent respiratory issues.

If you can’t sleep on your front, sleeping propped up on pillows helps reduce pneumonia risk, as does moving around regularly, even just to reposition if bed bound.
If you tend towards an overactive immune system, anti histamines could possibly minimise risk of an excessive immune response causing damage.
Temperatures are part of your body’s way of fighting the virus, so don’t be too quick to use paracetamol (wait until 38.5).
Avoid ibuprofen.
Drink lots of fluids.
Eat regularly to maintain reserves.
Fruit and vegetables improve immune response. Dried fruit can be especially useful, as can nuts. Some evidence suggests that they can also make the body less hospitable to this sort of virus.
Red meat can make the body more hospitable, so limit this. Ditto eggs, cheese, overly processed food. (Obviously, no need to be too restrictive)
Minimise viral load- use good hand and household hygiene and social distancing- to reduce chance of severe disease.

HIIT may well help. It’ll improve lung capacity and also temporarily raise body temperature.

And plenty of vitamin C and D

Don't smoke!

Re BMI, I heard various opinions too, but I'm not clear whether it's the BMI that is an issue or people being unfit and therefore having poor lung capacity to begin with? For example, someone can do a lot of exercise, including HIIT, and have a relatively high BMI due to muscle weight.

That's a good point. The study I saw just looked at crude BMI - it would be interesting to know if the results differed if body fat was also taken into consideration.

Watching this thread with interest. My BMI is 29 and coming down. I’m trying to lower it by calorie control and exercise and CV19 has definitely concentrated my mind. Am also taking general multi vits, getting VitD, hydrating and doing my 10,000 steps each day. Basically trying to get in as good a shape as I can. I’m hoping every little helps.

How does [keeping hydrate] help (genuine question, I'm trying to understand as much as possible)? I understand it makes any mucous less sticky and therefore less likely to hang around in your lungs.

I'm getting loads of tips here.

I always have to tackle colds head whenever I feel a cold come on, otherwise I suffer with sinus issues and pressure build up behind my forehead and ears leading to dull hearing. My doctor doesn't give antibiotics easily for the sinus.. I forget what she told me before. So I have tackle colds before it leads to sinus and its been a few years since I had a sinus infection.

I don't know if it will help with this virus but here's what I do:
Plenty of water/fluids
Vitamin C
I love garlic - chop up a glove of garlic in little pieces and swallow with water. Take it like a tablet). I can't stomach too much but I do my best.
Manuka honey

I don't know if any of this is going to help me if I get the virus.

In preparation for this, I bought a wool blanket because I know wool is a great insulator. I have a reclining rocking chair so I will probably sleep in that if I get sick.

I need to prepare for the rest of the family now too. I want to get a bed wedge for my mother, my brother and my partner but I don't have enough money to buy three of them.