As we round out another week, here’s a recap of the latest COVID-19 videos and information shared by Dr. Seheult on MedCram.com and our YouTube channel.
COVID-19 Antibody vs. PCR Testing; When to Relax Social Distancing?
In our 54rd COVID-19 video update, Dr. Seheult starts by explaining the difference between PCR-RT testing (for active infection) and antibody testing. Antibody testing holds promise to get a better grasp on the number of positive COVID-19 cases. Hurdles include the current state of FDA approvals and availability of antibody tests. Antibody testing may be a key tool in transitioning out of the current shutdowns and social distancing measures.
How COVID-19 Infection Attacks The Immune System & Differs From HIV
In our 55th coronavirus pandemic update, Dr. Seheult mentions this article in Nature, which suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may also target T lymphocytes (T cells) in the immune system. Dr. Seheult compares SARS-CoV-2 to HIV and illustrates the way they both infect T cells. Fortunately, there is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 replicates inside T cells like HIV can. The impact of COVID-19 on T Cells re-emphasizes the importance of supporting your immune system during this pandemic.
On that note, Dr. Seheult shares another article on sauna-usage and its potential to boost the immune system. He also revisits the idea of hooking multiple patients up to one ventilator, mentioning this article on the use of a new device — the Vent Multiplexor — that enables control over the amount of tidal volume going to each patient, despite the use of one machine.
What is “Forest Bathing” & Can It Boost Immunity Against Viruses?
In our 56th COVID-19 update video, Dr. Seheult introduces the concept of forest bathing as part of a continued conversation on potential ways to boost natural killer cells in the immune system. He cites this article, from researchers in Tokyo and at Stanford University, which found statistically significant increases in natural killer cells and their activity after taking a group of Tokyo businessmen on a trip to the forest for a few days. The researchers conclude that phytoncides, aromatic compounds released by trees, play a role in boosting human natural killer cell numbers and activity.
To further test for confounding variables, the same researchers did a follow-up study comparing a trip to the forest with a trip to another city, finding that only the forest environment produced statistically significant improvements in the immune system. Lastly, the researchers did a third study to isolate the effects of phytoncides, finding that short-term exposure to phytoncides via vaporizing certain essential oils in a city environment increased surrogates for innate immunity (i.e., the overall number and percentage of natural killer cells).
This information brings up interesting questions about the patterns of COVID-19 outbreaks, as well as the difficulty of accessing parks and trails amid strict social distancing policies.
More Videos and Information to Come!
Please stay tuned to MedCram.com and our YouTube channel for further information and updates on COVID-19 and many other important medical subjects.
In the meantime, here’s a list of all the COVID-19 resources and videos we’ve shared so far:
- Coronavirus Outbreak, Transmission, and Pathophysiology
- Coronavirus Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- Coronavirus Update 3: Spread, Quarantine, Projections, and Vaccine
- How Coronavirus Kills: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) & Treatment
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 5: Mortality Rate vs SARS / Influenza
- Coronavirus Outbreak Update 6: Asymptomatic Transmission & Incubation Period
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 7: Global Health Emergency Declared, Viral Shedding
- Coronavirus Outbreak Update 8: Travel Ban, Spread Outside of China, Quarantine, & MRSA
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 9: Fecal-Oral Transmission, Recovery vs Death Rate
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 10: New Studies, Transmission, Spread from Wuhan, Prevention (nocv 2019)
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 11: Antiviral Drugs, Treatment Trials for nCoV (Remdesivir, Chloroquine)
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 12: Unsupported Theories, Pneumonia, ACE2 & nCoV
- Garage Talk Podcast — Dr. Roger Seheult and the Coronavirus
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 13: Li Wenliang, nCoV vs Influenza, Dip in Daily Cases, Spread to Canada
- Forbes Article – Medical Experts Employ Social Media To Battle Coronavirus
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 14: Hospital spread of infection, WHO allowed in China, N-95 masks
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 15: Underreporting, Prevention, 24 Day Incubation? (COVID19)
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 16: Strengthening Your Immune Response to Viral Infections (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 17: Spike in Confirmed Cases, Fighting Infections with Sleep (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 18: Cellphone Tracking, Increase in Hospitalizations, More Sleep Tips
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 19: Treatment and Medication Clinical Trials
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 20: Misinformation Spread, Infection Severity, Cruise Ship, Origins
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 21: Antibodies, Case Fatality, Clinical Recommendations, 2nd Infections?
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 22: Spread Without Symptoms, Cruise Quarantine, Asymptomatic Testing
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 23: Infections in Kids & Pregnancy, South Korea, Spillover From Bats
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 24: Infections in Italy, Transmissibility, COVID-19 Symptoms
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 25: Vaccine Developments, Italy’s Response, and Mortality Rate Trends
- How Viruses Work – Molecular Biology Simplified (DNA, RNA, Protein Synthesis)
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 26: Treatment Updates, Stock Markets, Germany & San Francisco, Pandemic?
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 27: Testing accuracy for COVID-19 (CT Scan vs. RT-PCR), California Cases
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 28: Practical Prevention Strategies, Patient Age vs. Case Fatality Rate
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 29: Testing problems, mutations, COVID-19 in Washington & Iran
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 30: More Global COVID-19 Outbreaks, Vitamin D May Aid Prevention
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 31: Mortality Rate, Cleaning Products, A More/Less Severe Virus Strain?
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 32: Important Data from South Korea, Can Zinc Help Prevent COVID-19?
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 33: COVID-19 Medication Treatment Trials, Global Testing Remains Limited
- Coronavirus Epidemic Update 34: US Cases Surge, Chloroquine & Zinc Treatment Combo, Italy Lockdown
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 35: New Outbreaks & Travel Restrictions, Possible COVID-19 Treatments
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 36: Flatten The COVID-19 Curve, Social Distancing, Hospital Capacities
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 37: The ACE-2 Receptor – The Doorway to COVID-19 (ACE Inhibitors & ARBs)
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 38: How Hospitals & Clinics Can Prepare for COVID-19, Global Cases Surge
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 39: Rapid COVID-19 Spread with Mild or No Symptoms, More on Treatment
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 40: Ibuprofen and COVID-19 (are NSAIDs safe?), Trials of HIV medications
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 41: Shelter In Place, FDA Investigates Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19
- COVID-19 Ventilator Course: Learn or Review Mechanical Ventilation (Free at MedCram.com)
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 42: Immunity to COVID-19 and is Reinfection Possible?
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 43: Shortages, Immunity, & Can a TB Vaccine (BCG) Help Prevent COVID-19?
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 44: Loss of Smell & Conjunctivitis in COVID-19, Is Fever Helpful?
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 45: Sharing Ventilators, More on Sleep, Immunity, & COVID-19 Prevention
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 46: Can Hot/Cold Therapy Boost Immunity? More on Hydroxychloroquine
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 47: Searching for Immunity Boosters & Possible Lessons From Spanish Flu
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 48: Curve Flattening in California, PPE in the ICU, Medication Trials
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 49: New Data on COVID-19 vs Other Viral Infections (Ventilator Outcomes)
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 50: Dip in Daily New Deaths; Research on Natural Killer Cells & COVID-19
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 51: State by State Projections; Ultrasound to Diagnose COVID19 Pneumonia
- Lung Ultrasound in COVID 19: Findings, Accuracy, Pneumonia Diagnosis, Utility (POCUS)
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 52: Ivermectin Treatment; Does COVID-19 Attack Hemoglobin?
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 53: Anticoagulation; Can Mechanical Ventilation Make COVID 19 Worse?
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 54: COVID-19 Antibody vs. PCR Testing; When to Relax Social Distancing?
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 55: How COVID-19 Infection Attacks The Immune System & Differs From HIV
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 56: What is “Forest Bathing” & Can It Boost Immunity Against Viruses?
Watched #59 today
We are using the same Quercetin/Vit d/ vit c /Zn but also Copper 2mg and melatonin 3mg
Also EPA/DHA and L-arginine
what are your thoughts on these other supplements
I see there is a study on patients with COVID-19 being started comparing ACE and ARBS and outcomes?
Til this comes out should be stop our valsartan?
Also your thoughts on stopping chronic NSAID(meloxicam)?
These video presentations on the Covid-19 epidemic are obviously a great public service in a time of need and I can not thank you enough for your generous efforts in sharing this information. Awesome. As a retiree with no medical background and no biological knowledge these videos have been fascinating and enlightening. They provide inspiration with the both the information and the lack of bias.
Thanks
p.s. Found this paper an informative supplement to your discussion of CD147
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.14.988345v1.full.pdf
outstanding presentations. at the professional “peter rabbit” level. This is a compliment of the highest order. As for forest bathing, in upper michigan the folks of Finnish extraction sauna routinely and in the spring, summer and fall walk in the woods routinely on the weekends and after work. one always feels better is the routine comment. good to see finally validated.
cheers
Aloha. I am a Geneticist who has been teaching microbiology and genetics for the University of Hawaii for over 20 years and have been doing research on the effects of food preservatives on the human gut and mouth microbiome for the past 7 years. I have been really enjoying the lecture series on Covid 19 and want to express my appreciation for the great presentation and information in the lectures. I also would like to ask Dr. Scheult’s opinion on the role of the microbiome in the mouth, nose and gut on SARS CoV2 ? The microbiome connection to our immune response is clear and some studies have indicated changes in the microbiome correlated with respiratory infections
I found this article in our local paper about a lady that survived the Spanish flu epidemic. Interestingly enough, she credits her doctor fir the same hot/cold bathing technique you are recommending. What’s old is new again.
https://peoriajournalstar-il-app.newsmemory.com/?publink=1b6275bcf
I really enjoy the Covid-19 series. Extremely thorough, and excellently presented. Thank You for this invaluable resource.
I have a question concerning Comorbidities, specifically hypertension. Do the stated mortality rates for hypertension typically reflect untreated HTN or well controlled HTN with medication.
I am a medical data scientist building machine learning models for numerous clinical data sources.
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Thank You
GM Criz
Your videos on COVID-19 explain a very complex subject with such clarity! I have found all of them fascinating! I was especially mesmerized by the video showing the molecular biology of the virus and how it attacks the cells! I have watched that video and several others multiple times! I have told friends and relatives about Med Cram’s you tube channel as well as this site for facts regarding COVID-19. Knowledge is power! Thanks so very much for the effort you and your colleagues have put into these videos and this web site to inform anyone who will listen what the facts are and what can be done to mitigate the effects of this pandemic on us all.