, an increasing number of cases of novel coronavirus, designated SARS-CoV-2, has caused worldwide outbreak of respiratory infection now termed coronavirus disease 2019
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a novel respiratory disease that has led to a global pandemic and created a havoc. The COVID‐19 disease severity varies among individuals, depending on fluctuating symptoms. Many infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and dengue hemorrhagic fever have been associated with ABO blood groups. The aim of this study was to explore whether ABO blood groups might serve as a risk or a protective factor for COVID‐19 infection. Moreover, the symptomatic variations of COVID‐19 infection among the individuals with different blood groups were also analyzed. An online questionnaire‐based survey was conducted in which 305 partakers were included, who had successfully recovered from coronavirus infection. The ABO blood groups of 1294 healthy individuals were also taken as a control. The results of the current study demonstrated that antibody A containing blood groups (blood group B, p‐value: 0.049 and blood group O, p‐value: 0.289) had a protective role against COVID‐19 infection. The comparison of symptomatic variations among COVID‐19‐infected subjects showed that blood group O subjects had lower chances of experiencing severe symptoms relating to respiratory distress, while subjects with AB blood group were more prone to develop symptoms, but the differences in both groups were found to be statistically non‐significant. In conclusion, subjects who do not have anti‐A antibodies in their serum (i.e., subjects with group A and AB) are more likely to be infected with COVID‐19. The current data showed that there was no significant association of signs and symptoms variations of COVID‐19 infection among individuals with different blood groups.
COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic. Currently, there are a few approved effective antiviral drugs against COV-ID-19. Therefore, an effective way to treat an emerging disease is to use existing medicines, which usually have a safety profile. A large number of compounds are produced from traditional medicinal plants and some of them that have antiviral activity could be used as therapeutics, such as Artemisia annua L. Here, we update the information on the therapeutic effects and possible antiviral mechanisms of A. annua and their derivatives against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection will be updated. The A. annua derivatives might be effective alternatives for COVID-19 treatment. A. annua might act against the SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting its invasion, ACE2, CD147, and TMPRSS2 expression, virus replication, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by attenuating Nrf2 and NF-kB signaling, and mitigating lung damage in patients with COVID-19. However, clinical effectiveness needs to be demonstrated.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome- related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2), is now considered as an ongoing global pandemic. Common symptoms include pyrexia, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, sore throat, and loss of sense of taste and smell. Complications that can result from more severe insult on lung tissue is pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which can further lead to septic shock. It is also not uncommon to find neurological symptoms in patients suffering from COVID-19. The primary treatment for COVID-19 is symptomatic treatment and supportive care. As there is no known vaccination and antiviral therapy for this disease, there is a desperate need to find an alternative to control and stop the spread of disease. Maintaining adequate micronutrient balance might enhance the immunity and protect from viral infections as well. Vitamin C and zinc helps in improving symptoms and shortening the duration of the common cold. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) possesses pleiotropic physiological activity. High dose Vitamin C has shown to be effective against the common flu, rhinovirus, avian virus, chikungunya, Zika, ARDS, and influenza, and there is evidence that supports the protective effect of high dose IV vitamin C during sepsis-induced ARDS due to COVID-19. Zinc has a profound impact on the replication of viruses. Increasing intracellular zinc concentration along with pyrithione (zinc ionophore) has been shown to impair the replication of several RNA viruses efficiently, including poliovirus, influenza virus and several picornaviruses. A combination of zinc and can also inhibit the replication of SARS-coronavirus in cell culture.
This is a descriptive framework study (Peng et al. 2008) of COVID-19 pandemic viral disease among healthcare professionals at the Timergara Teaching Hospital Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, its physical and psychological consequences for them and its effects on the local healthcare delivery. Only healthcare professionals with a positive RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test were included in this study. The theory of opportunity was used because the virus is supposed to seek opportunities to multiply. Some support has come to this theory. The most startling outcome is that COVID-19 care has supplanted 'normal' patient care. In addition, we believe that at the Timergara Teaching Hospital Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa all protective measures (including PPE) against the transmission of COVID-19 particles to healthcare professionals should be critically examined for their preventive effect. The third conclusion is that more attention should be paid to the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals (via victim assistance and EMDR therapy) and preventive and proactive care (e.g. through stress inoculation).
Background and Aims
Health care workers (HCWs) are thought to be high‐risk population for acquiring coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). The COVID‐19 emergence has had a profound effect on healthcare system. We sought to investigate the COVID‐19 among HCWs and their effects on the healthcare system.
Methods
A cross sectional observational study was conducted at Timergara teaching hospital. The study included HCWs with positive real time polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2). The study duration was from April to September, 2020. The demographic profile of each recruited subject was collected through structured interview. The patient's admissions to hospital were collected for the 5 months before (October 2019–February 2020) and 5 months after lockdown (March–July 2020).
Results
A total of 72 out of 689 (10%) HCWs were tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2, of whom 83% were front‐liners. The majority were male (72%), with comorbidities (14%) and no mortality. The structured interview of all participants showed that the healthcare setting was the major possible source of infection (97%). The patient admissions into the hospital were reduced by 42% during lockdown than prelockdown period. The patients admission was significantly decreased in the medical ward during lockdown (60% decrease;
p
< 0.01) with slightly similar trends in other departments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we found increased risk of COVID‐19 for front‐line HCWs. Lack of mortality was the favorable outcome. Lack of replacing the infected HCWs possibly explained the marked decrease in hospital admissions, and potential inadequate healthcare delivery during the lockdown. Understanding SARS‐CoV‐2 among HCWs and their impact on health‐care system will be crucial for countries under COVID‐19 crises or in case of future pandemic to deliver proper health services.
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