gauchos with bolas are like antibodies to the virus. This could be part of Mindfulness or Guided Imagery approach to increasing immunity. ... See MoreSee Less
Photo
Sylvia Sidaway
2 weeks ago
Ladies if you had flowers for Mothers day today is the day to freshen them up. Change the water, clip a bit of the stems and throw away any dead ones. If you have always wore make-up out some on every day even though you may not be seeing anyone and keep smiling and communicating. If you came on any of our outings let me know which you enjoyed the most. Sylvia x ... See MoreSee Less
Dad's army can defeat the corona virus: the science
"Dad's army" is a metaphor for an appropriate behavioural and mental imagery approach to the corona virus. The approach is like that of a highly-trained special forces soldier: combative, but calm and focussed. This is very military as Immunity rather warlike; gentle imagery may be less effective. The metaphor could be modified to ninjas or space invaders, which would remove the anti-nazi element.
COVID-19 is comparable to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and MERS, and is also called SARS coronavirus 2. It accesses host cells via the enzyme ACE2, which is most abundant in the type II alveolar cells of the lungs. The virus uses a special surface glycoprotein, called "spike", to connect to ACE2. Acquiring immunity will centrally mean developing antibodies that can lock onto spike and make it ineffective.
Our Adaptive Immune System has two main branches: T cells and antibodies. These have specific responses to foreign proteins (antigens) that have been previously encountered. The AIS is currently ineffective as the virus is new. The Innate Immune System is our only defence at this moment. It puts out the same blanket response to all kinds of trauma - infections, bruises, electric shock etc. Histamine is liberated, which causes swelling and increased blood supply. A nettle rash is itchy and unsightly, but adaptive. The increased blood supply pushes all sorts of forces to the area where antigens or injuries have been detected.
Fever is the next response; it is adaptive and should not be feared. Temperature is ultimately regulated in the hypothalamus. The Innate System turns up body heat to give priority to "war production": antibodies and killer T cells. This fever is at the expense of the rest of the system, so you will feel hot and lethargic. If it gets very high you will be delirious, so cold flannels on the forehead and paracetamol may be needed. Ibuprofen has been shown to aggravate SARS, perhaps because it reduces fever. Temperature is ultimately regulated in the hypothalamus. A trigger of the fever, called a pyrogen, causes release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which in turn acts on the hypothalamus. Similarly, vomiting is a way of removing infected food; it is unpleasant but adaptive. Conserving energy during fever by lying still minimises oxygen needs.
The Innate System recruits immune cells to sites of infection through the production of chemical factors, including specialized chemical mediators called cytokines; activation of the complement cascade to identify bacteria, activate cells, and promote clearance of antibody complexes or dead cells; identification and removal of foreign substances present in organs, tissues, blood and lymph, by specialized white blood cells; activation of the Adaptive Immune System through antigen presentation; acting as a physical and chemical barrier to infectious agents via physical measures like skin.
Cytokine storm ("friendly fire" in the metaphor) is a massive over-production of white blood cells, which release inflammatory cytokines, which in turn activate yet more white cells. This is the downside of the generalised response of the Innate System, as it can damage healthy tissue. The H1N1 'flu of 1919 was lethal because cytokine storm caused lung tissue to liquefy.
Cough and sneeze are reflexes adapted to expel antigens from the airways. Unfortunately, some antigens have evolved ways of triggering these reflexes to propagate themselves. Whereas a productive cough can expel pathogens, a dry cough will cause inflammation and further opportunity for the pathogen. The cough reflex starts from irritant receptors are located mainly on the posterior wall of the trachea, and pharynx. The cough is the diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contracting, creating a negative pressure around the lung. It follows three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis. Swallowing is an alternative way of disposing of foreign material in the upper airways.
Psychoneuroimmunology is an attempt to consciously recruit immune functions. The immune system is very archaic, having evolved in our remote single-cell ancestors. Hardly any information is exchanged between immune functions and the conscious brain. One connection we do have is via the two stress hormones - adrenalin and cortisol. More formally they are the Sympathetic Adrenal Medullary System (SAM) and the Hypothalamo Pituitary Adrenocortical System (HPAC). HPAC tends to suppress immune functions, especially T cells but not neutrophils. SAM tends to stimulate most immune systems. As SAM serves the fight or flight response, we can think of its immune effects (such as taking T cells out of storage) as preparation for wounds from infect teeth or claws.
Psychoneuroimmunology has been used with cancer patients. They are invited to share an image of their NK cells hunting down renegade cells that have avoided self destruction (apoptosis). There is some evidence that this "fighting spirit" mental imagery actually does cause the desirable changes. In the case of COVID-19, the effect we are trying to increase is antibodies locking onto S-spike protein on the corona that helps the virus intrude the ACE2 enzyme receptor. The mental image of "hand-to-hand combat" might be a good metaphor. A cowboy with a lasso round spike, or a ninja placing spike into a hold are other possibilities.
The methods above can make a definite contribution to an effective immune response to COVID-19. ... See MoreSee Less
Photo
