©Arlene R. Taylor, PhD

Q: Are COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 synonyms?

A: Not exactly. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the disease. SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is the name of the virus strain that causes the disease COVID-19.

Q: Is COVID-19 a new disease?

A: I guess it would depend partly on your definition of “new.” Over time, many viruses undergo small genetic changes. They still belong to the same family—in this case the coronaviridae family— but may express themselves differently. When this happens, they are called a “variant.” According to NIH, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses in humans. However, three coronaviruses have caused more serious disease in people:

• SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which emerged in November 2002 and causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
• MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which emerged in 2012 and causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
• SARS-CoV-2, which emerged in 2019, was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Q: Where in the body does the SARS-CoV-2 virus attack?

A: Although it often begins as a respiratory infection, the virus can invade the entire body. Autopsies of unvaccinated individuals identified the virus in at least 80 locations, including lungs, body organs, muscles, eyes, brain, and nervous system.

Q: Is COVID-19 an inflammatory disease?

A: The virus causes inflammation of the lungs. However, autopsies did not show inflammation in areas outside of the lungs.

Q: How does the virus infect the brain and body beyond the lungs?

A: Studies have shown that following initial infection in the respiratory system, the virus enters the bloodstream. In an adult at rest, blood moves about three feet per second or two miles per hour on average—faster if you are exercising—making a round trip roughly every 60 seconds. Once in the bloodstream, the virus can be carried quite quickly throughout the body and brain.

Q: What about SARS-CoV-2 infections in the brain?

A: The virus can infect and replicating inside the brain, which naturally interferes with healthy brain function. An estimated one-third of individuals with COVID-19 developed problems such as encephalitis and brain fog.

Q: If you were vaccinated and still contract COVID-19, why be vaccinated?

A: Vaccination does not guarantee you will never become infected with the virus. However, it has been shown that if you become infected, you are less likely to become seriously ill, are at lower risk for requiring hospitalization, may not need a ventilator, and are less likely to die. The virus spreads less easily in groups of vaccinated individuals as compared to groups of unvaccinated individuals

Q: What is a breakthrough infection and why does it happen?

A: A breakthrough infection occurs when a person who was vaccinated becomes ill with COVID-19. There may be many reasons: the immune system did not respond to the vaccine as expected; the person was already infected when the vaccine was administered but not yet showing symptoms; or was making poor life-style choices to care for their health and wellness; or was exposed to a large amount of the virus, a big “inoculum level”, that overwhelmed their immune system.

Q: What is the difference between vaccination and immunization?

A: According to the World Health Organization (WHO): Vaccination is the use of vaccines to stimulate the immune system to protect you against infection or disease. Immunization is making you immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically through vaccination.

Q: If I were vaccinated, why would I need to wear a mask when out shopping or when in large groups of individuals?

A: The main reason would be because you have no idea whether you will get within six feet of someone who already is infected. Many diseases are spread by inhaling viruses through the nose and mouth. Masks are not foolproof. However, N95 masks are called respirators and can reduce your risk of breathing in viruses that are floating in the air around you. They can also lower the risk of you breathing or coughing viruses out into the air if you are infected. Masks are a good two-way behavior: self-care for yourself and a care for others.

Q: What is the reason for staying six feet away from people?

A: Space lowers the risk of becoming infected. Viruses and other pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms can be carried in the air. However, gravity gradually induces them to fall toward earth. Many are believed to begin falling down within a three to six-foot radius. Hence the recommendation to leave a six-foot circle of space around you and away from others.

Q: What’s the big deal about hand sanitizers?

A: Viruses and other pathogenic air-borne organisms fall from the air onto surfaces. Individuals with viruses on their hands also can leave the viruses behind on surfaces they touch. Keeping your hands away from touching your face and frequent handwashing are the best types of protections. When you cannot wash your hands right away, hand sanitizers are the next best option. Sanitizing wipes (and stronger disinfecting wipes) can be used for wiping off trays and other surfaces in airplanes, trains, buses, public restrooms, and restaurants—for your safety.

Q: How long is the virus detectable in long COVID?

A: It may be for as long as nine months in some regardless of whether the individual is exhibiting symptoms. Some individuals did not know they had even become infected with COVID-19. Having never been tested, they were surprised when they were diagnosed with long COVID.

Q: Is there anything the can help to lower the risk of developing long COVID?

A: Clinical trials using the antiviral “Paxlovid” on SARS-CoV-2 cases (as part of the NIH-funded “Recover” project) are showing promise. Other than that, my brain’s opinion is that living a “longevity lifestyle” that chooses healthier behaviors consistently, might be a desirable strategy.