COVID-19 Attacks the Whole Body

Our look at diseases associated with COVID-19 continues in this pre-4th of July memo. Let’s turn to diabetes. We know, based on prior reports, that people with type 2 diabetes as well as other comorbidities are susceptible to getting the worst symptoms of COVID-19. But now, there are also some reports that COVID-19 infections may cause diabetes; people diagnosed with COVID-19 with minor symptoms have developed type 1 diabetes later.

How could that happen? The first way may be a direct attack on the pancreas because it also contains many ACE2 receptors. Or it may be that as the virus stays in the body, it triggers an autoimmune response. Or it may somehow stimulate other dormant viruses due to the inflammation and immune response.

One of those is the Epstein-Barr virus; almost 90% of us have been exposed to it. Epstein-Barr impacts the nervous system in a significant way. Perhaps the challenge to the immune system somehow triggers the activation of Epstein-Barr to cause neurological dysfunction from mild to severe.

In doing the background research for these Memos, I found that scientists are looking at every organ for potential consequences of the COVID-19 virus infection. We already knew of cardiovascular problems as well as kidney damage; lung damage was significant whether the patient was on a ventilator or not. The impact on blood vessels, which are full of ACE2 receptors, are the root cause of many of the problems. With the loss of taste and smell, it may be that the virus causes the death of enough of those organelles that we are permanently impacted. We’re learning some patients develop problems in their brains such as strokes, psychosis, and altered mental state, and we’ll discover more conditions that are impacted by the virus as time goes on. And we haven’t even begun to discuss the microbiome.

The Bottom Line

As I wrote several weeks ago, I don’t want you to fear this virus but you’d better respect it. That means you do your best to avoid getting it and avoid spreading it.

This is the beginning of the major holiday of the summer. Being restricted in what we can do and where we can go has worn on people, perhaps even you. So let me leave you with two thoughts.

First, if getting into a pool is part of your holiday plans, go ahead. The chlorine in a well-maintained pool or hot tub will kill the virus and sunshine helps, so have some fun; but if you’re just socializing while wet and not social distancing, wear a mask.

Second, I’ll finish where I began this series: with wearing a mask in public. You don’t have to like it. Who does? Science clearly shows it reduces the risk of catching or spreading the virus which, as we’ve seen, has far more implications then just a little fever and cough. So if you’re going into public places, do what I do and wear the damn mask. Please.

What are you prepared to do today?