So, we all thought we knew about Covid-19.  Sure, it attacks the lungs.  That must mean that folks who have asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases are at risk.

True.

But, incomplete.

First, a fact.  Those folks who pick up the SARS-CoV-2 often manifest slowly developing symptoms .  Except those folks with compromised health who manifest rapid deterioration- their respiratory arrest requires mechanical ventilator assistance.

Diabetes sufferers are also at risk.  And, since a significant majority of folks with diabetes do not properly control their diabetes, often have high blood pressure, often are at risk (or already there) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), they really are at very high risk.  Their diminished immune system is one of the reasons that more than 40% of those who succumbed to Covid-19 also suffered from diabetes.

Not to mention all those folks who take immune suppression drugs.  To minimize their arthritis, bowel diseases, MS (multiple sclerosis), even psoriasis.  Well, their drug uses that diminishes their normal  immune system response makes them far more susceptible to Covid-19.

But, then, there are the 120 million Americans with heart disease. They are also at risk.  And, most of the folks who end up dying of Covid-1 die from cardiac failure.  Not from respiratory arrest.  59% of the folks who died in China manifested cardiac injury.  Survivors of the disease?  Only 1% manifest such injury.

And, as I’ve told my close friends, if you are taking angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) [these are usually drugs ending in ‘pril’ (think linosopril)] or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBS) [these are usually drugs ending in -sartan (think valsartan), you are really at risk should you encounter SARS-coV-2.   Because, as I explained, this coronavirus seeks out the ACE2 proteins on the surfaces of our lungs and airways.  And, those drugs increase the body’s expression of ACE2 proteins- in other words, increasing the chances the virus can find a target.  But, as I also said, do NOT stop taking these drugs without consulting your doctor.  (Because they are also keeping you alive and healthy right now.)

(Yes, I know some folks think that these drugs protect our lungs.  Because they did protect folks that contracted other illnesses haven’t manifest lung damage.  But, those illnesses were not ACE2 based.)

On the other hand, the data about NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is less clear.  But, even without clear proof, at least for right now, it might be prudent to stop taking ibuprofen and switch to acetaminophen- which is also less damaging to your renal system.

But, we need to have basic measures in our home to help us become aware if we are in the throes of Covid-19.  So,  make sure you have a thermometer, a manometer (to monitor your blood pressure), and a working scale in your home.  Because if you have a dry cough, a temperature over 100 F, find it difficult to breathe- you might have been visited by SARS-CoV-2.

But, if you have a runny nose, too, then it’s probably a cold.  First time you’re happy that you have a runny nose, right?

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