SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, is wreaking havoc on the world. It’s only mission is to invade living cells and turn them into virus-making factories.
The coronavirus isn’t alive, and that is why it’s so hard to kill.
SARS-CoV-2 can only replicate in living cells. When viral particles land in our eyes, nose, or mouth, “spike proteins” on the virus connect with a specific receptor, known as ACE2, on the surface of our cells, allowing entry.
This is how a direct attack on organs that have ACE2 receptors can occur, including lungs, heart muscle, kidneys, blood vessels, the liver, and potentially the central nervous system. ACE2 receptors are also found at the end of our gastrointestinal tract which is why stomach symptoms, like loss of appetite and diarrhea have been observed.
Once the virus enters, it turns the cell into a factory, making millions and millions of copies of itself — which can then be breathed or coughed out to infect others.
If you feel you have been exposed to the virus and want a COVID-19 test, contact your nearest Canyonlands Healthcare location or call 1-877-645-9675.
Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University, compared viruses to particularly destructive burglars: “They break into your home, eat your food, use your furniture and have 10,000 babies. And then they leave the place trashed.” — Washington Post
ACE2 receptors appear on cells in the most delicate part of the lungs: the alveoli. The alveoli are responsible for taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing is a result of the lungs trying to expel the infection.
How SARS-COV-2 Exploits the Body’s Own Immune Defense System
The ACE2 gene is stimulated by interferon — one of the body’s main immune defenses when it detects a virus. Researchers found that interferon proteins actually turn the ACE2 gene on at higher levels, potentially giving the virus new portals to get in.
Canyonlands has made it easier for you to continue getting healthcare with telehealth, clinic safety protocols and pharmacy delivery for our Page, Arizona locations. 1-877-645-9675
The Molecular Phishing Scam of SARS-COV-2
Because the adaptive immune system that creates antibodies hasn’t had a chance to learn what SARS-CoV-2 looks like yet, the virus can use a molecular phishing scam to sneak into the cell. This sneaky method of SARS-COV-2 replication hidden from the cell could explain why you can be carrying the virus without a symptomatic immune response. According to a study published in Nature Medicine, 44% of transmissions are believed to occur when the infected person has no symptoms.
Before its first host even develops symptoms, it is already spreading its replicas everywhere, moving onto its next victim.
Researchers at M.I.T. studying coughs and sneezes observed particles from a cough traveling as far as 16 feet and those from a sneeze traveling as far as 26 feet. An infected person talking for five minutes in a poorly ventilated space can produce as many viral droplets as one infectious cough. New York Times 3-D Simulation.
Immune Response
Although some people who contract COVID-19 experience serious symptoms, others are able to recover after a fairly short period of time. For many people, Covid-19 seems to be fairly mild–taking five days to two weeks for symptoms exhibit, if at all.
Covid-19 spreads much faster between asymptomatic people because they don’t know they’re shedding it. In the period that an infected person is asymptomatic or mildly ill, they could transmit the virus to dozens of other people who could possibly become very ill, develop long-term COVID-related illnesses or die. Respiratory droplets of the infected person are then breathed in or transferred to the skin and other surfaces. One person in South Korea, known only as patient 31, transmitted the virus to over 1,100 people as she went about her life.
Masks and Physical Distancing
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can only survive if it continues to find new hosts. That is why there’s been so much emphasis on physical distancing and mask wearing as measures to reduce the viral load in respiratory aerosols you expel and breath in.
Wearing a cloth, surgical or N95 face covering can reduce the respiratory viral load expelled if you encounter an infected person or if you are infected yourself. Make sure that your nose as well as your mouth is covered by the mask. Avoid touching the mask and remove it using the straps. Read these recommendations for the disposal and washing of reusable face masks.
Aside from medical-grade masks, well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric, and off-the-shelf cone style masks, proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal in this study.
Cover Your Nose as well as Your Mouth with Your Mask
Researchers have found two types of cells inside the nose express high levels of genes encoding proteins the SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter cells, suggesting they are susceptible entry points for the virus.
How Soap Destroys the Coronavirus
A virus’s travel kit always includes its genome and a surrounding protein shell, or capsid. The capsid has a greasy overcoat made from stolen shards of the membranes of the last cell they infected. Without this envelope, the virus lipids, proteins and RNA fall apart and the virus becomes inactive. This is why simple soap and water is effective in “killing” the virus, because it breaks down the greasy overcoat of the COVID-19 capsid. This is why the frequent hand washing with soap and water is recommended. When you wash, keep the soap on your hands for 20 seconds while thoroughly rubbing them together; including between the fingers and into the fingernails. It’s even better if you wash them a second time again for another 20 seconds right after, and then dry your hands with a clean towel.
70% Alcohol Destroys the Virus
Alcohol also breaks down the fatty envelope that holds the virus together, but it is best to use an alcohol concentration of around 70%. Alcohol is the main active ingredient in many hand sanitizers and disinfectants, and it can kill germs when properly applied to your hands or on surfaces.
The FDA has issued a warning about the use of hand sanitizer products containing methanol, or wood alcohol.
Never drink isopropol or ethyl alcohol or disinfectants to kill the Coronavirus.
Using Bleach and Other Disinfectants
Bleach must be used very carefully and the CDC provides specific guidelines for household disinfection using bleach. Read the CDC recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of households. The EPA has a list of disinfectants for use against COVID-19.
Read Before Going Out
Read these considerations on:
- running errands
- beaches and pools
- stress and coping and
- traveling away from your community.
Do you think you may have COVID19? If you need to see a doctor, call 1-877-645-9675 before going to the clinic. Take precautions to protect yourself and others around you. See more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
Stopping stigma is important to making all communities and community members safer and healthier. Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts and sharing them with others in their communities.
COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Get the latest public health information from CDC: https://www.coronavirus.gov
