12/21/2020
Covid 19 article from OXY.com news that I receive daily. This is important for everyone.
1. Hormonal Hardships
A number of long haulers are experiencing sexual health symptoms such as testicular pain, urinary problems and menstrual changes, lending credence to the theory that low hormone levels are contributing to the virus’ staying power — and that high estrogen may play a protective role, which could explain why men are three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than women.
2. Pulmonary Problems
The virus directly inflames lung tissues, making air sacs less elastic and more difficult to expand, which makes breathing a challenge. Lung scarring has been seen in past coronavirus pandemics, particularly in patients infected with SARS, and some research suggests that as many as half of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients could sustain lung damage.
3. Coronary Catastrophes
Even without evidence of respiratory distress, heart inflammation can occur — with a recent study showing that a third of college athletes with mild COVID-19 cases exhibited pericarditis, or swelling of the tissue surrounding the heart, and many long haulers see their heart rates spike even with simple movements like standing up or doing household chores.
4. Breaking the Brain Barrier
A layer of specialized cells protects the brain from blood, a barrier that also serves to keep out dangerous blood-borne infections. But COVID-19 appears able to cut past those defenses to directly damage brain cells, leading to a host of neurological issues — from headaches to anxiety, fatigue and “brain fog” — that may be difficult for doctors to diagnose for decades to come.
5. Children Too
Despite the fact that they suffer less intense symptoms and lower death rates, kids can and do transmit the virus. And although experts must weigh the steep costs of keeping them out of school, it’s important to note that children are at risk and do experience symptoms, from the more mild, like nosebleeds, to those seen in the adult population. The lack of public response or consideration of children has led frustrated parents to form online support groups, including this one.
