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COVID-19 Immunity – How Long Does It Last Following the Infection and Immunization?

Immunization Overview

The human immune system is a complicated network of cells and proteins that defends the body against foreign invaders, including viruses and bacteria. In this post, we look at how the immune system responds to the COVID-19 virus.

Since this disease is relatively new, there is a lot that we still need to learn about and several questions remain regarding the immunity to the virus, both following the infection and immunization and so the research continues. One factor that is accepted throughout the world is that those who have strong immune systems fare better than those that are immune-compromised and/or are part of the elderly community.

It is important to note that natural immunity refers to how your natural immune system responds following the infection, whereas vaccine-induced immunity is the process by which a COVID injection stimulates your immune system to produce more antibodies – enough to prepare your body to resist the virus should you get infected.

Here, we look at how the immune system works against COVID-19 and how the immune system responds following the infection and vaccination.

How Long Does COVID-19 Immunity Last Following the Infection?

Man unsure about taking the vaccine — Bigstock

This is a very good question and there has not been a definitive answer; however, researchers believe it could be anywhere from between three to eight months.

The claim is based on several pieces of research performed to analyze the antibodies in individuals who were infected by the virus. However, the results of these studies vary significantly as the life of antibodies targeting the spike of SARS-CoV-2 varies from individual to individual. Moreover, other factors besides antibodies, such as T and B cell memory, affect the natural immunity against COVID-19.

As of now, they suggest booster shots after six months of being vaccinated. Since COVID-19 is a relatively new disease, researchers worldwide are continuing their quest to find out how long the body defends itself against the disease.

It cannot be definitively concluded how COVID-19 immunity lasts following the infection, but let’s look at each of the components that can affect the natural immunity against COVID-19.

Antibodies – How Long Do They Stay in the Body?

As mentioned, the search and destroy army of antibodies can last for several months in patients infected with COVID-19. However, the number of antibodies tends to decrease over time. One of the studies that included 5882 people who had recovered from this pathogen concluded that the antibodies were still present in the blood five to seven months following the infection. The results hold true for patients with both mild and severe illnesses. Moreover, there was evidence that people with severe COVID-19 illness ended up with more antibodies compared to those with a mild infection.

T and B Cell Response – An Integral Part of Immunity

COVID Virus — Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash

While the antibodies developed as a response to the infection and play an important role in protecting against future infection, T and B cells also have a central role in fighting off infections. The T and B cells are the only cells in the immune system that can recognize and respond specifically to a virus as they are memory cells. These highly specialized memory cells can stay in your system for years and even decades and continue to trigger the immune system response when your body interacts with the same virus.

One study conducted by science.org was to find out the presence of T and B cells in individuals who have had COVID-19. T and B cells are cells that remember the previous diseases and act on them if they return. The results concluded that even when the antibodies fell, memory T and B cells were present for as long as up to eight months following the infection. However, the only limitation of this study and other similar studies is that we have limited evidence since COVID-19 is a relatively new disease. Given this lack of definitive conclusions, we cannot, at this time, be sure about how long the T and B memory cells stay in the body once exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

Vaccine-Induced Immunity – Immunity Developed Following the COVID-19 Immunization

And while the researchers assess the natural immunity against COVID-19, it is critical to assess the vaccine-induced immunity to determine the effectiveness of COVID-19 immunization and the need for a booster for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Several studies worldwide are being conducted to determine how long immunity lasts following COVID-19 immunization. A relatively new study found a surprisingly higher number of B cells (memory cells) among individuals immunized using Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine. The participants received their second dose of the mRNA vaccine at least 12 weeks before assessing their immunity. The participants included people who were not previously infected by COVID-19.

So far, the research conducted to determine vaccine-induced immunity suggests that the mRNA vaccine is likely to generate a durable and lasting immune system response; however, further evidence is required to confirm the claim.

How Vaccine-Induced Immunity Varies Between the First and the Second Doses?

Person getting covid injection — Photo by FRANK MERIÑO from Pexels

Given how the immune system responds after one dose of the vaccine as opposed to two is difficult to assess. However, multiple studies have investigated that the antibody level in the blood varies at different stages between the two doses.

A study involving over 50,000 participants concluded that 96.4% of the participants had positive antibodies one month following their first dose of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. Additionally, 99.1% of the participants had positive antibodies seven and 14 days following their second dose of the vaccine. Furthermore, the antibody levels changed slightly up to two weeks following the second dose. Other similar studies were also conducted, and the results showed that the vaccine-induced immunity varies between the first and the second doses of the mRNA vaccine.

Comparing Natural Immunity with Vaccine-Induced Immunity

The exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and resulting infection and COVID-19 immunization (with mRNA vaccine) have shown an immune system response generated by memory T and B cells and the creation of antibodies. However, there is a stark difference in how the immune system responds to natural infection and to the vaccine.

The immune system’s response to the COVID-19 vaccine is fairly homogeneous, and data suggest that the mRNA vaccine results in T and B cell reactivity. However, how long does immunity last among individuals following infection, and how strong of immune system response is generated following the infection is still not definitive?

Will COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Be a Necessity?

Given how the antibodies and the T and B memory cells behave following immunization, a key question that still remains is whether COVID-19 vaccine boosters are a necessity? The answer is still not clear; however, Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer, explains the need for a booster vaccine within 12 months following the second dose.

The reasons include weaker immune system response over time, especially among older adults. Moreover, the SARS-CoV-2 is mutating, and new variants are emerging, which could be a possible threat to individuals, especially the ones with weakened immunity; hence, on September 22, 2021, the FDA amended their emergency vaccine procedure to include booster shots for specific criteria of people – those age 65 and over, are immune-compromised and/or work in healthcare facilities.

Summary

In general, there are three ways we can have our immune system fight off the COVID virus, through natural immunity, the vaccine’s creation of antibodies, and T and B memory cells that will recognize and attack the virus if it comes back. But research is still going on to determine how long the vaccine and antibodies remain in the body, but after the first, second, and third doses.

So far, it appears that after the first and second doses of Pfizer or Modena, the antibodies can last for good six-twelve months, but diminish as the months proceed. Booster shots are recommended for individuals with weaker immune systems after around six months.

7 Amazing Ways Drinking Earl Grey Tea Can Change Your Life!

If you’re a Star Trek enthusiast, you know that Captain Picard’s favorite tea is earl grey! But why? Is it because of its health benefits or because it helped him think clearer, or perhaps he simply liked the taste! Jean-Luc Picard never made hasty decisions, so let’s take a look and see why he always ‘Made is so’ for earl grey tea!

Earl Grey Overview

Earl Grey Tea wit tea bag — Photo by Miska Sage on Unsplash

Earl Grey tea comes from a plant called Camellia sinensis, which is grown mostly in Aisa, specifically in the countries of China, India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Japan. The plant’s leaves are naturally green, but through a process called oxidation, which is the state at which atoms lose electrons, the leaves turn color from green to black and it is from these blackish leaves that Earl Grey tea is made. The tea has a powerful taste that is much stronger than other black teas and with that said, let’s look at what the benefits are when drinking Earl Grey.

- - It is believed to help relieve stress and anxiety.
  - It’s been shown to have positive effects on the respiratory system.
  - It’s been shown to have health benefits for those suffering from cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
  - It contains less caffeine than other types of tea due to its lower level of oxidation.
  - It’s said to have a positive effect on mental alertness and cognitive function – No doubt every starship captain would need that!

Stress and Anxiety

Most teas in general have been proven to reduce stress and that includes earl grey. In one study, people who drank this tea were found to experience less stress, compared to a group who didn’t drink it. Earl Grey tea contains some caffeine, but compared to other coffees or energy drinks, it has a lower caffeine content and a lower level of oxidation.

This means it can help keep your heart rate and blood pressure lower, leading to better overall health and less stress. And it doesn’t have that harsh taste that many black teas have. Earl Grey is traditionally a gentle, floral black tea that can soothe even the worst stress. Earl Grey can also improve your immune system by boosting your immunity and prevent allergies.

Respiratory System

The tea is an excellent choice for people who suffer from asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. Many people feel better after drinking a cup or two to three cups a day. A study conducted by researchers from McMaster University found that people who drank Earl Grey tea every day for three months had a lower risk of coronary heart disease and strokes than those who drank decaffeinated Earl Grey tea. It was also shown that this regular consumption of Earl Grey tea was associated with a lessened risk of mortality from all causes during the study period.

It has been found that this tea contains a significant amount of antioxidant properties that reduce the risk of cancer.

Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes

According to research published in The Journal of Nutrition, Earl Grey tea has a positive impact on people who have cardiovascular disease and diabetes and has even been shown to reduce their blood sugar levels. The tea has a low level of antioxidant activity, so many of the antioxidants contained in the tea are actually helping these people fight against heart disease and diabetes. More than any other type of tea, Earl Grey contains chlorogenic acid, which is thought to help with cardiovascular disease. It’s actually also shown to have a protective effect on the heart, as well as lower blood pressure.

Caffeine Content

If you don’t need the caffeine, Earl Grey can be enjoyed in a non-caffeinated version and this can provide a greater health benefit. It’s no wonder the beverage has become an iconic drink, and many a trendsetter has picked up on this delicious new health trend. While you should always be wary of overdoing any supplement or food, when drinking Earl Grey, the tea’s benefits are unquestionable. The key is to drink it in moderation and if you don’t need the caffeine, you can even try drinking a non-caffeinated version and reap all its health benefits. And if you’re a tea fan who’s been trying to add Earl Grey tea to your diet, and it doesn’t seem to be happening…well this is an easy solution.

Mental Alertness and Cognitive Function

Earl Grey tea helps improve cognitive function and may improve your attention span. Researchers say that drinking the tea before performing mentally challenging tasks can help increase focus. It also improves verbal skills, helping the user be more expressive. Additionally, it may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. This may be due to the sedative effects of the tea. It has been shown to reduce levels of cortisol and amylase, which can increase the risk of the Alzheimer’s illness. The black tea associated with Earl Grey is also known for its benefits to the heart and has been shown to help prevent heart disease.

How To Make Earl Grey Tea?

Before you drink this tea, warm it up first. Then, put it in the microwave for 20 seconds. Pour hot water in a cup and then steep your tea for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and then enjoy!

Conclusion

Because Earl Grey is not only a classic black tea, but a herbal tea that can be used to make delicious tea blends, and it’s a great source of antioxidants and if you become caption of a starship, you won’t want to do without it!

The Health Benefits of Hibiscus Antioxidant Tea

Hisbicus Tea — Photo by The Pop’d Shop on Unsplash

Hibiscus drinks are popular in many countries around the world. They are often served as a refreshing drink after meals, or as an accompaniment to tea or coffee.

Hibiscus is also becoming increasingly popular for its antioxidant properties. Recent studies have shown that hibiscus tea contains polyphenols and anthocyanins which can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, making it an ideal drink for health-conscious individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

What is Hibiscus?

Hibiscus Antioxidant Flower — Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash

Hibiscus is a flowering plant that originates from the tropics. It belongs to the genus Hibiscus, which is botanically known as Casu Marzu and translates into ‘mad cow’. Hibiscus, known for its large flowers, is also known as ‘marigold’ in Latin and ‘red blooms’ in Hindi and Gujarati.

In countries like India, South Africa, and Malaysia, hibiscus is commonly known as bhang, and other similar names like ‘baby liquor’, ‘poisonous devil fruit’, and ‘poisoned rose’. The flower is mainly cultivated in Indian states like Goa, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The plant is a much-reputed spice throughout India. Some of the most popular varieties include Marich, Amrut, Khwaja Siras, Khwaja Zulqarnain and Marri Bada. Hibiscus leaves and flowers are dried in the shade to preserve their freshness.

Antioxidant Properties of Hibiscus

Oxidative Stress Illustration — Oxidative stress. From Normal cells to Oxidative stress and aggressive free radicals, cell death.

Hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants that are known to reduce inflammation and free radicals. So what are antioxidants and how do they benefit you?

Antioxidants are molecules that help stop damage to cells, DNA, and other molecules. Oxidative stress is considered to be the most important driver of aging.

It is the reason that aging accelerates and causes many diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Free radicals are molecules that cause oxidative stress and contribute to chronic inflammation and oxidative damage. Antioxidants fight free radicals and may also stimulate the growth and development of stem cells.

Health Benefits of Hibiscus

1. The juice from this flower can prevent cancer.
2. Hibiscus can help people with asthma to control their symptoms.
3. Cuts the risk of high blood pressure. Research has revealed that people who drink hibiscus tea regularly, experience a significant reduction in blood pressure.
4. Promotes weight loss. Research has shown that drinking hibiscus tea can help you lose weight as its main ingredients – green tea, boronic acid, and hibiscus – can increase your metabolism, and make you feel full.
5. Helps digestion. Hibiscus tea can act as a laxative for people with digestive issues like bloating and heartburn.

How to Brew a Cup of Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is made by infusing a finely divided hibiscus flower or herb in boiling water. Rinse the hibiscus leaves or flowers and remove the petals to get a finely divided flower. Chop the leaves, flowers, and stem into small pieces and soak in water for half an hour. Grate or peel the leaves and infuse the infused water for 15 minutes. Add a few drops of honey to the tea and serve with honey and raisins.

Conclusion

Hibiscus does not have any artificial preservatives or flavorings, and it’s free from gluten, dairy, nuts, and lactose, so it’s a great choice for anyone with food allergies.

How to Drink a Cup of Tea and Live Longer

Tea poured into cup If only we Americans would take after the British when they say “Care for a spot of tea?”. No doubt they’re on to something because most teas contain a wide variety of healthy nutrients.

You just can’t go wrong with tea for weight loss, better sleep, more antioxidants for your body and brain, and a host of other advantages.

How Tea Helps with Weight Management

It’s been said that drinking tea can help to control blood sugar levels. In contrast, eating is often necessary in order to regulate blood sugar levels. Also, drinking tea lowers the caloric intake for each cup of tea consumed. It’s very important to drink a hot cup of tea for at least 15 minutes before going to bed so that it’s prepared and ready to consume. It helps to relax the body and will help to keep you away from eating foods that will lower your metabolism.

What are the best teas to drink for weight loss? One of the best beverages for weight loss is dark teas. Dark teas tend to contain less caffeine than fruit teas and there are an array of different varieties that you can drink. Among the most popular dark tea varieties include oolong, black, green, and white teas.

Why Tea is Good for Your Sleep

Woman sleeping with alarm clock showing 7:00 AM There is much evidence to suggest that drinking certain specific teas can help you sleep better. According to Professor John Britton at University College London:

“There is substantial evidence from studies with animals and humans that tea consumption prevents or moderates the decline in sleep onset latency over time, which is usually associated with age.”

But when it comes to tea, there are some subtle qualities that can make a big difference. One of the favorites amount researchers is Chamomile. It is a well-known herb that has been used for centuries to help reduce inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia. In fact, many people regard chamomile as a mild tranquilizer.

The Benefits of Antioxidants in Tea

Antioxidants are nature’s way of keeping cells and tissues intact. They stop our body’s toxic proteins from forming harmful compounds in the blood and damage our cells. Tea has the highest concentration of antioxidants of any beverage. You can make this popular drink even more antioxidant-rich by brewing it in a teabag that’s also loaded with antioxidants.

For example, a green tea bag has the equivalent amount of antioxidants to a cup of spinach. Research shows that when you drink green tea daily, it may have a measurable impact on your metabolism. The reason for this is that the tea leaves’ vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, promotes a faster metabolism.

Although green and black teas may have high levels of antioxidants, according to an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) analysis – a research laboratory that measures a food’s antioxidant activity, the tea with the most antioxidants is flor de Jamaica. The Spanish name for hibiscus. When brewed, this tea has 400% more antioxidants than black and green tea.

Note: Although hibiscus tea is abundant in antioxidants if you take medication for blood pressure or blood sugar, you might want to defer to your medical practitioner first as taking meds and drinking hibiscus tea can lower your blood pressure and/or blood sugar.

Stress Management

Woman showing signs of headach or stress — Graphicstock

No one wants to deal with stress and we’ve posted numerous articles on how one can deal with anxiety, as well as depression, but when it comes to teas, here are a few that can help you calm down in addition to our blog suggestions: mint teas, chamomile teas, lavender teas, rose teas, and matcha. Give them a try. What do you have to lose?

The Best Teas for Your Overall Health

While, of course, there are many different types of teas, We’ve narrowed it down to three particular types for your good health. They are regular, decaffeinated black and green tea.

All Three Offer the Following Benefits

1. Tea for weight loss. We all know it’s important to eat healthful food. The antioxidants in green tea can help you avoid the signs of aging, as well as fight bacteria.

2. Tea for better sleep. Green tea contains a large amount of caffeine, so we won’t recommend it in this category but Chamomile, Valerian Root, and Lavender are highly recommended. There is also calorie and caffeine-free peppermint tea.

3. Tea for better stress management. There are numerous teas that may keep you calmer. Mint chamomile, lavender, and hibiscus teas to name a few, but we are not suggesting to drop your whole anti-anxiety routine (whatever plan you are on). We are, however, proposing that these teas may be that one added factor that could very well change your stress level.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a list of numerous awesome tea benefits to help you make your tea drinking a habit. Talk to you soon with my next post on The Top 10 Reasons To Drink Tea Every Day.

Note: As previously mentioned, if you are on any medications, please speak to your doctor or medical provider regarding drinking these teas.

Does COVID-19 Affect Fertility in Men?

Ilustration of male sperm to egg — Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Did you know that every time the body fights a virus, it can temporarily affect the male sperm count? Currently, it has been close to two years since the world got to know about the covid virus, but researchers are still trying to determine how the coronavirus is affecting everyone.

While it was initially thought to be affecting only the respiratory system, we know today that the virus can affect almost every part of our body, including the reproductive system.

With the emergence of new strains, such as the Delta variant we are currently being exposed to, researchers are learning more each day concerning how it affects different parts of our bodies and one of these studies is about how it affects the health of the male sperm.

In this post, we take a closer look at this particular issue. So let’s get started.

The Possible Effect of COVID-19 on Male Sperm

As with many studies of covid consequences, researchers are still collecting evidence to support this claim. COVID-19 is a viral infection, and every time a body fights a virus, it temporarily affects the sperm count. However, how long COVID-19 affects male fertility is still being studied.

In a small study of about 190 men, researchers collected the semen sample to assess the quality of sperm health. The semen was analyzed based on three criteria.

- - The amount of sperm released at each ejaculation
  - The shape and size of the sperm
  - The ability of sperm to move through the female reproductive tract

In this comparative study, researchers collected semen from 84 fertile men who were diagnosed with COVID-19, along with 105 fertile men who were not exposed to the virus. The semen was collected once every ten days over a period of 30 days. The results indicated that the infection affected sperm health on all three criteria, including sperm concentration, shape and size, and the ability to move through the female body.

However, the effects tend to improve over time, but the time it takes for sperm to regain health depends upon the severity of the infection and the treatment provided at the time of infection.

Pandemic Stress May Be the Culprit

While there is limited evidence of how COVID-19 affects male fertility and sperm health, there is evidence that men who have frequent anxiety are more likely to have poor sperm health. These men have a less concentration of semen during ejaculation. Additionally, their sperms are more likely to be distorted or impaired, which affects their motility to travel inside the female body and subsequently, reduces the likelihood of fertilization.

When a person is anxious, the body releases a hormone to respond known as glucocorticoids. It is a steroid that affects the concentration of sperm by altering the levels of testosterone in the male body. Another possible effect is oxidative stress resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle, consumption of processed foods, and exposure to free radicals due to environmental pollution.

Amidst the pandemic and the associated uncertainty, more people have been known to be apprehensive. While some people get nervous in their job environment, others experience the stress of managing work from home. Yet, some men are concerned about the possible effects of immunization. Moreover, there is additional stress due to limited social interaction as well as maintaining social distance and the uncertainty associated with the pandemic.

Given that anxiety negatively affects sperm health, it goes without saying that pandemics can be an addition that also negatively affects sperm health among men.

Things to Do in Times of Uncertainty

There is limited evidence of how COVID-19 might impact male fertility; however, the effect of stress on sperm is well-documented. Moreover, several other factors may affect the quality of sperm and hence the fertility of men. Hence, it is critical to take care of the following factors in this time of pandemic and uncertainty.

Manage Stress

One of the most important things to do in pandemic and associated uncertainty is managing stress. Here are some of the practical ways you can use to manage stress.

- - Take frequent breaks from watching news related to pandemics, including the ones you scroll through social media.
  - Give your body time to unwind every day, even when you are working at home,
  - Connect with friends and family while taking care of all the necessary precautions to control the spread of COVID-19.
  - Try to make out time for incorporating hobbies and activities of your choice.
  - Practice meditation.

Consume a Balanced/Healthy Diet

And while you practice ways to manage stress, don’t forget the role of consuming a balanced diet.

Ensure your diet contains all the essential food groups, including proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins. It is particularly important to include vitamins A, B, C, and E in your diet as they give a boost to your immunity, but also add in minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium so you can maintain a healthy body.

Another essential component of your diet should be anti-inflammatory foods. Since inflammation and oxidative stress can have a negative impact on sperm quality, make sure your foods are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. Some of the anti-inflammatory foods you can include in your diet are olives, olive oil, tomatoes, fatty fish, berries, and nuts.

Keep Moving

According to research, there is a positive correlation between physical exercise and sperm quality measured using three criteria.

- The amount of sperm released at each ejaculation,
- The shape and size of the sperm, and
- The ability of sperm to move through the female reproductive tract.

The results claim that men who maintain a healthy lifestyle that incorporates physical activity have better sperm quality than those who do not work out. This most likely is even more significant for seniors.

And while being physically active is important, it is critical to avoid strenuous and high-intensity workouts. A moderate workout for 30 minutes on most days of the week will help you maintain your weight. Moreover, it will reduce your risk of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and will also keep your reproductive health in great shape.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Balance chart for Ketogenic Diet

Male obesity has been linked to poor sperm quality, and the link has been established through extensive research.

Additionally, male obesity is also linked to lower chances of pregnancy using in-vitro fertilization. Hence, you must maintain a healthy weight, which will positively affect your sperm health and, eventually, your fertility.

Bottom Line

COVID-19 is in many aspects still a mystery for mankind. Researchers and scientists around the world are trying to understand how the disease impacts the human body. While there is limited evidence that COVID-19 can reduce male fertility, there is a strong correlation between stress and sperm health. By incorporating stress management techniques, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight through physical exercise, you can maintain good overall health as well as enjoy a positive effect on the health of your sperm.

Can COVID-19 Lead to a Neurological Condition?

The year 2020 was indeed a unique experience for us all. A worldwide pandemic ended up disrupting life to the core.

Given the nature of the coronavirus and the way it spreads, its effects on our health are incomprehensible for medical professionals. Hence, scientists and researchers are trying to learn more about COVID-19 and how it affects humans physically, mentally, and emotionally. Every day, they are finding out something new about the virus.

Perhaps, the most pressing area of concern for researchers is COVID-19 long haulers. These are individuals who are dealing with the lingering effects of the disease. For some, the virus has permanently damaged the lungs but others have experienced an altered sweat smell, unexplained cognitive decline, and unexplained psychological effects. Additionally, some individuals have experienced rare neurological conditions. This post is about one such rare neurological condition that has a potential connection with COVID-19 and is known as Transverse Myelitis (TM).

As of now, three cases of transverse myelitis have been reported. While the number of the sample is still too small to prove a solid connection between TM and COVID-19, there is the possibility that the rare neurological condition may be related to the virus. Researchers are delving into the evidence and finding out this connection is an insight into what they have discovered so far.

What is Transverse Myelitis?

Transverse myelitis is a rare neurological condition that is a result of inflammation in the spinal cord. The inflammation leads to damage to your myelin which is the fatty substance that covers your neurons. Myelin typically works as an insulator around the neurons so the neural message to and from the brain doesn’t get lost along the way.

Loss of myelin causes the scarring of your spinal cord that blocks neural messages and leads to physical problems. And while the myelin has a natural ability to repair and regenerate, once the inflammation damages it, the condition is often irreversible.

This rare condition affects around 1-8 people per million every year. Moreover, the condition is more common in children between the ages of 10 and 19. However, it can affect people of all ages.

While the exact cause of transverse myelitis is not known, certain health conditions may lead to this disease.

- - Lyme disease
  - Viral and bacterial infections
  - Measles
  - Syphilis

Some individuals may also develop neurological conditions due to spinal injuries or defects in the structure of the spine. Atherosclerosis or other vascular diseases which reduce the oxygen supply to the spinal cord may be among the potential reasons for transverse myelitis.

Moreover, TM can be among the warning signs of other neurological or autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and lupus.

The Possible Connection Between Transverse Myelitis and COVID-19

:Illustration of a bioligical connection — Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Since viral infections can trigger the condition, there is a close link between COVID-19 and transverse myelitis. There is an established connection between certain strains of COVID-19 that have long-term neurological consequences. So far, there is evidence of three individuals who reported to have developed the condition following the COVID-19 infection.

The viral infection triggers the possible inflammatory complication that affected the myelin leading to physical symptoms.

Identifying the Rare Neurological Condition

There are a few classic symptoms of this rare neurological condition. It can be distinguished from other conditions because it leads to one or more of the following symptoms.

- - Weakness in the muscles of arms and legs
  - Sensory alterations such as the feeling of burning, twitching, and numbness especially in the lower body
  - Bowel dysfunction
  - Pain in the lower back, that’s often associated with shooting pain that radiates in the arms and legs

It is also common for people with transverse myelitis to experience frequent muscle spasms that are often accompanied by headache, fever, loss of appetite, and an overall feeling of discomfort.

If you have recovered from coronavirus and are experiencing any or all of the symptoms highlighted above, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider. While it is common for people to experience weakness and body aches as they recover from the COVID-19 infection, if any of the above-mentioned symptoms persist, it could be a sign of something more serious.

Your healthcare provider will likely recommend certain tests to diagnose transverse myelitis. Your doctor may recommend the following.

- - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  - Lumbar puncture (testing of spinal fluid)
  - Certain blood tests

Treating and Managing Life with Transverse Myelitis

As of now, there is no known cure. While some people may recover from the symptoms, others have to live with it. In some cases, where the individual is experiencing severe symptoms, the healthcare provider may recommend hospitalization. However, in other cases, a combination of pain-relieving medications, such as corticosteroid drugs, and physical therapy is used to manage pain.

Corticosteroid drugs intend to suppress the immune system activity while speeding up the recovery process. However, if the medicines do not seem to reduce the intensity of pain and other symptoms, your health care provider may recommend plasma exchange. The process helps remove harmful antibodies from the blood, which may contribute to improving the symptoms. Your healthcare provider may also recommend physical therapy depending upon the severity and type of your disease.

The long-term effects of transverse myelitis are not constant. However, they may vary from person to person. Around ⅓ of the individuals diagnosed with transverse myelitis recover to a great extent with almost all of their symptoms gone. Another ⅓ recover partially with some of their symptoms remaining persistent. Again, the intensity of pain and severity may vary from person to person. The last third of patients diagnosed with the disease recover poorly and continue to experience the symptoms which also can lead to physical disabilities. One of the possible concerns, especially for this group, is how the disease affects them mentally. Due to their physical immobility and persistent pain, such patients are more prone to developing psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Final Words

It has been over a year that the global COVID-19 pandemic has flipped our lives upside down. And as researchers are learning more about it and the new data emerges, there is growing evidence that there is a possible connection between COVID-19 and several neurological conditions, including transverse myelitis. Until there is more concrete evidence on how COVID-19 can lead to long-lasting physical and mental health conditions, it’s best to keep doing what infectious disease experts have been asking for months. Maintain social distance, wear a face mask, frequently wash or sanitize your hands, and get vaccinated!

Vaccinating Immune Diffeciency People and the Booster Shot

Person getting injection — Photo by FRANK MERIÑO from Pexels

If you have been watching the news, the conclusions that our scientists have been making are changing faster than with every passing day, not to mention the controversies that surround every conclusion. Wear masks! Don’t wear masks! Get a vaccination! Don’t get one! Children are getting sick from the vaccine. No, they aren’t. And the feuding goes on. With all this controversy and confusion, let’s stick to one subject for this article:

Should High-Risk People Get a Booster Shot?

A booster shot is a third injection (second for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) that is said to help increase your immunity from the covid virus, including the latest Delta variant. Many people have been questioning this though. Some are saying it is nonsense while others question what should be the final verdict that will help keep these individuals protected? Unfortunately, we do not know this yet, but from what we do know, we can make some educated guesses.

Before we delve further into this article, we would strongly advise all our readers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, unless you have been told by your doctor to wait. Moreover, ensure that your loved ones, friends, and family members get the vaccine. Not only does this help protect each individual, but it also protects those with cancer and other immunocompromised individuals who are vulnerable to the disease.

Do Immunocompromised Individuals Benefit from the COVID Vaccine?

Man getting injection The problem is that Individuals who suffer from blood cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma may find that the COVID-19 vaccine leads to a lowered immune response. However, this is the norm for all vaccines when it comes to these individuals. However, immunocompromised individuals are strongly recommended to get the vaccine as it still provides them with some sort of protection.

Those who are getting treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation for other types of cancers, can also face some form of a compromised immune system. As of now, there is not enough evidence to conclude whether these immunocompromised individuals and COVID vaccines have any connection and whether the effectiveness of the vaccine will be lower for them.

However, doctors have urged everyone to get vaccinated. This is mainly because exposure from unvaccinated individuals can also majorly harm immunocompromised patients.

Is a Booster Shot Necessary for Immune Compromised Individuals?

Even though several laboratory studies have pointed to the fact that high-risk individuals may require a booster dose of the vaccine, more research is needed. As of now, case studies are being conducted on individuals who have received both doses of either Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of Johnson and Johnson. These individuals were given a booster shot two weeks after their last shot.

The CDC advisory committee had a meeting on July 22, 2021, to figure out whether immunocompromised individuals and COVID vaccine boosters had any connection and if the booster could increase the protection of the individual. Even though lots of evidence points towards the fact that a third dose of the vaccination could increase protection, no government agency or medical organization has recommended patients to get this yet.

Is it Okay for Transplant Patients to Get their Antibodies Tested?

According to the CDC, antibody testing is not recommended across the board. This is because those who have normal immune systems will show a great response, mainly because most vaccines are known to be 95 percent effective.

There is no harm if a transplant patient wants to get an antibody test. However, it must be kept in mind that a test provides data, but it does not contain all the information.

If you have recently gotten a transplant and have already been given both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, we would recommend waiting a month before getting an antibody test. If the test comes out to be negative, it shows that you do not have great immunity. However, even if the test comes out to be positive, this does not mean that you can give up on being careful. As a transplant patient, you must be careful until there is further research on the subject.

One of the biggest confusions with positive antibody tests is that the term “positive” can entail a number of things. Medical experts will not be able to judge if a patient has an intact T-cell response, even if their test results are good. Moreover, T-cell inhibitors are common with transplant patients since this causes acute rejection in the patient’s organs.

How Immune Compromised Individuals Can Protect Themselves from COVID

Girl wearing mask for covid

The best way for immunocompromised patients to protect themselves from COVID-19 is to avoid going into huge crowds. Moreover, they should not attend any indoor public events that contains unvaccinated individuals. In case everyone is vaccinated, they should all be masked for an immunocompromised patient to attend. We would urge that all unnecessary travel is stopped, including out-of-country travel. This is mainly because new variants keep springing up, and the infection rates are climbing by the day.

In case you have not already done so, urge those around you, your loved ones, friends, and family members to get the vaccine for your protection and theirs. There is a huge magnitude of research that shows that the vaccine is completely safe. Most people do not have any side effects, and even if they do, the side effects are minuscule, just like they would be for any other vaccine. Additionally, those who are vaccinated are less likely to get severe symptoms from the Delta variant.

Conclusion

It is our belief that everyone over the age of 15 should get the COVID-19 vaccination. The disease does not discriminate, meaning that everyone is at risk. If you have loved ones in the hospital who are immunocompromised, have cancer, or have recently gotten a transplant, you should make it your responsibility to be careful when around them!

Mental Health Implications of Virtual Learning

covid virtutal learning — Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

How do you like this covid pandemic so far? OK, maybe we’re being a little bit facetious, but we wanted to make a point. It’s no fun and for many, it’s debilitating, and others, just plain tragic. In general, we all have suffered one way or another.

With that said, one of the more ‘hidden’ factors is how it has affected our mental health. Some people have become depressed. Others found themselves getting into arguments and fights with their own family as they would stay stuck in their homes during the lockdown periods.

How Does Covid Affect Education?

There is an ongoing debate over whether students should wear or not wear masks, especially our younger ones and there are currently studies are showing how telelearning is affecting our students. While virtual learning is a lot more comfortable and convenient for both students and parents, many believe it is not a viable solution in the long run.

In this post, we take a closer look at the effects virtual learning has had and does have on the mental health of students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of Virtual Learning on the Mental Health of Students

Teachers and students alike are having e a hard time adjusting to this huge change. It is especially difficult to deal with the change for people who already have preexisting mental health conditions. Moreover, the change can be particularly overwhelming for students.

Imagine a child who used to spend 5-6 hours every day along with peers of the same age and teachers who are now expected to spend a similar amount of time in front of the screen. While virtual learning allows children to connect online, it is not the same as physically connecting with other human beings.

During physical learning, students learn several important traits, such as socializing. They form friendships and share fun memories with other children of the same age. Unfortunately, telelearning does not meet this basic human need.

As a result, they miss out on the connection that’s critical for the cognitive development of young children. But missing this physical connection is not the only drawback of virtual learning. There is a lot more. Here are some of the reasons why telelearning is causing mental health effects among students of all grades.

Virtual Learning Can Lead to Fatigue

In the uncertain times amidst the pandemic, educational institutions expect students to take up learning sessions virtually. Moreover, they are expected to spend a similar amount of time that they used to spend at the physical facility. However, spending long hours on Zoom classes or video conferencing calls can lead to fatigue. In fact, there is a newly coined term for this type of fatigue that’s known as “Zoom Fatigue.”

Since virtual classes can significantly reduce mobility as well and require you to constantly view yourself during video chats, it can lead to an increase in cognitive load. Zoom fatigue can affect people of all ages, however, it is usually difficult for younger children to process it hence, virtual learning leads to fatigue. Constant fatigue plants the seeds for stress and anxiety, especially among school-aged children.

Virtual Learning is One of the Major Causes of Stress and Anxiety

In a traditional physical school setup, students are expected to follow a specific schedule. They know at what time they are expected to wake up and go to bed. They also have specific school schedules that revolve around class time, homework time, and extracurricular activities.

In times of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is heightened uncertainty and sticking to a schedule is a challenge. Since parents are also expected to work from home, there is a lack of structure in most households. Moreover, having a strict schedule is never the same as virtual learning. Lack of schedules and structure in life in general, along with the stress of virtual learning, is taking a toll on the mental health of students and their parents, which is leading to a rise in anxiety and stress for both students and their parents.

As a result, the entire household is getting affected. Furthermore, it is particularly challenging for parents as they have to get more involved in school work and are expected to work from home at the same time.

At the end of the day, virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic is exhausting and stressful for the entire household.

How to Take Care of Your Child’s Mental Health?

While virtual learning has significant mental health effects, here are a few strategies that you can try to minimize the negative implications of virtual learning on your child’s mental health.

Have a Designated Space for Learning

Indeed your child is learning at home, but you can make it more structured by designating a space for learning at home. You can choose a room or a spot at home with fewer distractions so your child can better concentrate on learning. Moreover, you can also use the space as part of your work from a home arrangement where you can be more focused and productive.

Establish a Regular Schedule

It may be difficult to establish a regular schedule when everyone is at home. But it is still important to set a regular schedule. Make sure you set up a specific bedtime and stick to it. Similarly, there needs to be a regular time to wake up and start your day. Only when you establish a regular schedule, you will be able to plan your day better and end up being more productive.

Encourage Healthy Habits

One of the best ways to counter fatigue and stress is by encouraging healthy habits. Make sure you and your family are eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough nighttime sleep, and are involved inadequate physical activity. Despite the pandemic, you can still go for some indoor physical activities at home, which will also be a fun time for the entire family. When you encourage healthy habits, you will notice an improvement in the energy levels and overall physical and mental well-being of the entire family.

Seeking Support

The COVID-19 pandemic is indeed a great challenge not just for the students but for parents and teachers as well. In such times of crisis where the physical health and well-being of your child are a priority, virtual learning seems like a viable solution. However, it comes with challenges that can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being.

If you feel that you or your child needs support, do not hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional. The uncertainty that we experience today is unheard of and it’s okay to feel the need for professional assistance. Talk to your therapist and find out more about how you can take care of your child’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Till then enjoy the virtual learning sessions, take care of your mental health and stay safe and healthy!

Hippocrates The “Father of Medicine”

Bust of Hippocrates Ever hear of Hippocratic Corpus? Probably not, so let us explain. Hippocratic Corpus AKA Hippocratic Collection is a collection of medical essays attributed to the great Greek physician of antiquity – Hippocrates!

Born around 460 BC on the Greek island Cos, he led medicine away into an era of observation and diagnosis and attributing people’s illnesses to be naturally occurring, and was the result of a number of external factors; such as environmental factors, diet, and lifestyle choices.

Twelfth-century Byzantine manuscript the Hippocratic Oath written in the form of a cross

His documents outline discussions within a variety of fields of medicine, including attending to numerous illnesses, as well as detailing theories of medicine via his observations. Hippocrates was also akin to helping people who are ill in an ethical manner; hence, the Hippocratic Oath was born and is the oath that physicians still take today. In a nutshell, western society’s ethical practice of medicine is greatly attributed to this Greek doctor and his writings of Hippocratic Corpus.

Before Hippocrates

Ancient medicine was prescribed to the belief that diseases were caused by superstitions and gods, and there was the Greek god of medicine – Asclepius, who was one of the sons of Apollo. The snake that is entwined along the staff remains a symbol of modern medicine. It is called The Rod of Asclepius. You may have seen an illustration of this staff in medical publications and/or hospitals.

Hippocrates, often called the “father of medicine,” took a different approach.

With that said, it is important to recognize that Hippocratic medicine and its philosophies are far removed from modern medicine and largely inaccurate. During his time, the Greek taboo forbade the dissection of humans, and as such, Greek doctors at the time knew next to nothing about human anatomy. It was difficult, if not impossible, to determine when diseases materialized and how to diagnose the symptoms of a virus.

Asclepius - Greek God of Medicine — Asclepius – Greek God of Medicine. Wikimedia

Despite the many aspects of Hippocratic medicine that did not stand the test of time, one of his greatest contributions was his dedication to observation and documentation. Not only would he and his followers take careful, regular notes, but also extended clinical observations into family history and environment. These records were recorded in a clear, objective manner so they could be passed down and used by other physicians.

Because few documents have survived, it can be difficult to pinpoint what is fact and what is reverential storytelling. For instance, while the Hippocratic Oath is attributed to Hippocrates, new information shows it may actually have been written after his death.

Unfortunately, after his death, little improvements were made to the practice of medicine as many considered his teachings too great to be altered; however, his name remains in the healthcare field and is so labeled “The Hippocratic Oath”.

Medical Treatments of Antiquity

“Surgical instruments of the 16th and 17th centuries.” is licensed under CC BY 4.0

You should be glad you don’t live in the days of antiquity when it comes to healthcare. One can only imagine what techniques they had to use.

Let’s just say you wouldn’t want to get a toothache or your tonsils taken out during this period. Take a look at the photo on the left and you get the idea!

So now we’ll take a look at what people utilized (and some are still used today) to help people with medical problems back in the day.

Ancient Egypt

One of the first civilizations to deviate from the ‘medicine men’ and seek actual ‘doctors’ that could help those who were ailing was the Egyptians. Although they were referred to as doctors (Egyptians who specialized in healing human illnesses), they concentrated mainly on potions to cure their illnesses.

Information related to Egyptian physicians dates back as far as 2600 BC when King Zozer had a doctor who was very well respected and Iraj, who was the physician to the court of pharaohs around 1500 BC.

Ebers Papyrus - Anitque Medical Document — Papyrus Ebers is an Egyptian medical scroll dating to circa 1550 BC

During this time period, these potion doctors gradually began to develop an understanding of the human body and began more detailed and thorough research.

Archeologists were able to assemble this information via hieroglyphics and papyrus writings, which are documents that were created from papyrus plants.

One of the most intriguing discoveries was the Papyrus Ebers. An Egyptian medical manuscript of herbal knowledge that was written entirely on papyrus paper and dates back to 1550 BC. It contains much information regarding the Egyptian interpretation of the anatomy of the human body.

Although Egyptians could be considered the original civilization to take knowledge of the human body, they still believed that many of the diseases were from spirits.

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages is the period in Europe that followed the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th century up to the period of the Renaissance, beginning around the 13th century.

Scholars have researched historical artifacts of how doctors cared for their patients during this period and the instruments they used were crude to say the least. Below are two tools that were used during this time to help the physically ill.

Bullet Extractor

This tool was used to remove bullets or other objects that were inserted into the body due to accident or intentionally from firearms. As these types of ballistic weapons were becoming more popular to fight wars, medical doctors were working feverishly to find ways to help the wounded.

The extractor was a rod with a turn screw that could be adjusted to size in order to capture and clasp the bullet and pull it out.

Arrow Remover

This was designed with a similar extraction method as the bullet extractor but used to remove arrows. There is not a lot of information from research done for this device, but no doubt it was created before the bullet extractor was.

Medical Equipment of the 18th Century

The ‘Antique Brass Nursing Breast Shield’ was a unique device used to cover the breasts of a nursing mother in order to protect her breast and nipples from inflammation and/or soreness.

When there was no other choice but to remove a limb, the ‘Amputation Knife’ was the primary tool that was used. Of course, with today’s medical technology, the whole process of amputation would probably be avoided, but not in the 1700s where many more diseases were prominent among the population.

The practice was to remove the infected limb with this knife and then leave a part of the remaining skin to cover the wound.

For operations, a slightly more sophisticated tool called ‘The Scarificator’ was used. It had 14 blades under the tool’s surface and when brought to the patient, the blades would release to open the skin and the medical procedure would begin.

Medical Equipment of the Early 20th Century

Old forceps and medical scissors in steel tray. — Old forceps and medical scissors in a steel tray

The 20th century witnessed a revolution of advanced medical technology, not to mention it was a time that was benefiting from the industrial revolution.

Advances not only in medicine but in math, physics, engineering, and electronics began to materialize. This took society out of the ‘dark ages’, especially in the medical field, and allowed us to live more comfortably and be able to survive through more ethical and less painful medical procedures.

But in the early years of the century, old 19th century and even 18th-century techniques and equipment were still being used. Some of these procedures and equipment are mentioned below.

For those with external hemorrhoid problems, this 1900 device called hemorrhoid forceps was the medical tool of choice. It was used to damage the hemorrhoidal tissue so that it would not return. Internal hemorrhoids required a more coarse method of hooks and scissors.

Dr. Dettweiler, a physician in the 1910 time period developed a Pocket Spittoon used for patients who had coughing issues. They would spit into the jar and were used by Dr. Dettweiler to research tuberculosis with the hope of containing the spread of this contagious disease.

In the 1920s, we saw a device that was used to remove defective veins. It was called Allen and Hanburys Varicose Vein Strippers and consisted of a flexible wire that would be moved up the vein. Then the vein was removed by pulling on the other end of the wire. Not a very classy method of operation, indeed.