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.

I like putting heat on my chest when I don't feel well. I don't know if that will help with this.

Some really useful tips here, thank you all.

I wonder if we have anyone who has recovered from the CV and avoided the hospital and has any helpful advice to share.

@PowerslidePanda I remember that research it was quoted on a thread on this board about 2 weeks ago.

I looked at the actual paper in the Lancet. The sample was 370 or so Chinese citizens in one hospital in China, and it “showed” >BMI >27 were on average 3 times more likely to have serious complications. However, the “on average” part was key - men were 5 times likely to have complications and women had no raised risk at all. In fact women >27 BMI had a reduced risk! The conclusion was that no clear relationship between BMI and outcome could yet be made.

increase cardio vascular fitness and exercise intercostal muscles if you can
regular neti pot
generally do everything you can to be as healthy as possible

Steam inhalation - I’ve dug out an old facial steamer from the attic after a guy who was hospitalised but recovered somewhere (Japan possibly) mentioned it being useful - he was given one to use in hospital. And I have some Olbas oil ready to use in it. Bowl of hot water and a towel would do the same job.

Rehydration salts.

Sleep sitting up or on your front - even with big boobs you can position pillows to make it comfy.

Yes I believe water is to do with helping keep lungs clear. Usual 8 glasses is fine.
Buying a pulse oximeter is not a bad idea. You can keep an eye on your 02 levels. Neilmed nasal rinse.

@MMN123, that's interesting about inhalations, not heard it mentioned by anyone before in CV contect.

I often do that at first sign of a cold/flu and find it eases symptoms of that, I just do it over a mug of hot water or even hot black tea with honey, occasionally a splash of whisky even. I would definitely try even in absence of research.

Zinc ionophores - help with zinc transportation into the cells, which has anti-viral properties. Quercetin and EGCG, plenty of red onions, apples, green tea and colourful veg. Quinine in tonic water has the same effect, but there's only a miniscule amount, so the benefit is likely outweighed by the immune-diminishing effects of sugar. Zinc supplement, so you have something to transport into the cells in the first place.

D3, many peer reviewed scientific papers on the benefits to the immune system, especially against respiratory infections.

Don't exercise too hard, this can undermine immunity. Just daily brisk activity. 7 - 8 hours sleep per night. Minimal sugar & alcohol.

@MrsMGE my husband (in a shielded group due to immune condition) is recovering from a severe case (advised to call ambulance a few times) on day 14 now. We noticed that skipping daily antihistamine made him wheeze (not asthmatic) by 2am, and he felt better on days he followed the dietary advice.
Also, according to his smart watch he burnt 700cal a day more when his temperature was raised (in bed so no other reason) so there’s definitely an argument to keep well fuelled when infected.
I only had a mild case as did the dc. I think exercising to raise temperature a couple of times a day once exposed but pre symptoms helped, as did distancing/ hygiene to lower viral load and possibly diet.
I’ve religiously read research papers the last 2 months (at least those written in English, French, attempted German... can’t manage Chinese, Spanish or Italian) and tried to apply as much of it as possible.

I don’t have any scientific evidence for this, but my instinct is that it’s important to rest totally once you start getting symptoms. A lot of people try to push through, keep working etc thinking their symptoms aren’t that serious (Hello Boris). But once you have it longer than 7ish days you are at higher risk for complications. You have to give your body the best chance to get on top of it.

Also, being in optimal health would be very helpful but a lot of people can’t do much about that unfortunately.

I'm currently in hospital being treated for sepsis after a mild case of CV so they say stay away from hospital and if I hadn't come in today I dread to think what would have happened to me dlx

@Mammaaof, oh my goodness, what were the symptoms that triggered your admission, was it breathing or something else?

I didn't even know I had covid, I posted on another thread few days ago and couple people said I didn't have enough symptoms to say if I had it or not but I didn't feel that unwell! But today I had this horrific pain in my left lung so 111 told me to come in, and now hooked up on drip! Still not confirmed covid but amazingly they have swabbed me! They said they are doing it on case by case basis! But they are thinking it's come from covid x

Keep hydrated. increased breathing and temperatures means you lose a lot more fluid than normal. Patients are presenting quite badly dehydrated (because they are not coming into hospital early in the illness as they are being told to stay at home)
dehydration increases risk of kidney failure which increases mortality by about 20%. Also makes lung secretions thick and sticky making it difficult to clear.
Patients showing evidence of micro thrombii (clots) in lung and kidney vessels . If you are dry your blood is more 'sticky'
there is evidence of clotting disorders. D3 with K2 cant hurt though it may be too late once you already have it. Some evidence to show it helps in respiratory illness.
healthy diet. plenty of veg, exercise. gets some sun on your skin, supplement d3,k2,vit c and zinc. Cant harm , may help, keep hydrated, and increase your input if you have a temp or breathlessness.
alternate sleeping position from back to front to aerate all areas of the lungs.

@reesewithoutaspoon and others, great advice, thank you

@Mammaaof, how scary, glad u are in good hands, wishing you all the best

Thank you so much! Yes the Dr said I was so lucky to come in today and all over the news it's saying to stay at home ! Could have killed me xd

Eating industrial quantaties of garlic is helpful

It is very good for you and it works wonderfully for ensuring other people keep their distance
:)

The thing with viruses it affects different people differently a bit like all illnesses. Smoking certainly lowers your chances of surviving as Covid is a respiratory virus. But then smoking apparently is deprimental to contracting almost every illness under the sun! If you follow social distancing regulations you will avoid it better. Even better if you completely stay indoors apart from one shop a week and a short exercise once a day preferably very early morning or at night thus avoiding as many people as possible. No crackpot cure is available. No one really knows how the virus will affect each individual. Some have already had it and don't even realise, some have some symptoms and is mild, some die. Some have it bad and survive. Who knows what severity you will get if you contract it? No one knows! It's for sure any crackpot idea about losing weight,( not enough time to lose loads of weight) giving up smoking ( damage already done if you were already a long term smoker) or rubbing garlic on your hands and feet are going to help now. The only thing that will is stay indoors as much as possible and wash your hands and if you have to go out practise social distancing. Simple!

We’re doing everything we can to keep immune systems working as well as possible: good diet, good sleep, exercise, plenty water.

I also agree if you get sick at all, you should rest to give your body every chance to fight it.

I think it’s a terrible scourge of modern/western life that we’re all so accustomed to ignoring what our body needs because of what the clock or calendar says.

Re BMI, the figures I’ve seen for ICU admissions were something like 30% obese and 30% overweight, but I thought that was roughly in line with where we are as a population (ie fat people are not over represented in ICU). If I’m wrong, please tell me.

I went and checked the BMI stats again. Images attached.
The icu stats appear to be broadly in line with uk population stats.

@Goatymcgoaty That's interesting, thank you! Particularly as I'm female and my BMI is 27... I've been trying to lose weight, but will now enjoy my Ester egg guilt-free!

I said to my DH yesterday before this thread that we don't drink enough water these days - I'm much worse at home. I'm wfh and somehow finding it difficult to drink as much water as in the office. Will make sure to follow that.

I've largely done everything else for a while now anyway (unrelated to CV), but certainly the hydration point, breathing exercises and sleeping positions were new to me.

Re HIIT, I started it last year and been doing it regularly at home and thinking about it now, I remember saying to DH even after a couple of weeks that I my breathing has changed for better, it felt to me that I was able to take deeper breaths. I'll definitely continue with my usual exercise routine (and make sure I really stick to it!). Whether I'll be able to do it early on when I get the CV, we'll see.

I thought it was 70% in ICU we’re obese. Unless that’s changed. It was in The Guardian.

were

Here. It was widely reported so not sure why the figures are different to what you have.