The COVID Advisor

Coronavirus vs COVID-19 The key difference between coronavirus and COVID 19 is that coronavirus is a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from common cold and pneumonia to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) while COVID 19 is a coronavirus disease, which began in December 2019, caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Influenza vs COVID-19 Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019. Flu is caused by infection with a flu virus  ( influenza viruses ) . The key difference between coronavirus and influenza is that coronavirus is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus while influenza virus is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus that causes seasonal flu epidemics each year. From what we know, COVID-19 spreads mo

Zinc is a powerful immune nutrient known for its benefits for providing immune health support and inflammation reduction as well as for improving cold and respiratory symptoms, wound healing, acne reduction, and lowering the risk of age-related diseases. Research on atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus suggests that zinc deficiency may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation. Even more popular at the moment is the role of  zinc and the potential benefits against COVID-19 . This is probably one of the reasons that's driving the demand on zinc related products. In a  ConsumerLab survey  of 9,647 people who use dietary supplements shows that the supplements which experienced the greatest growth in popularity in 2020 were those being promoted to prevent or treat infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Zinc supplements achieved the highest growth with 13.5% points. Does zinc help treat COVID 19? As of September 2022, there are more than 30 studies that h

Most people with COVID-19 will experience a mild illness, and they’ll be able to take care of themselves at home. But some—especially those with  underlying health conditions —could benefit from one of several COVID-19 treatments. Some of these are available in pill form and others are given intravenously or by injection—and all of them must be prescribed by a health care provider. In this article, we will do a roundup and cover 3 popular anti-viral treatments i.e. Remdesivir, Bebtelovimab and Sotrovimab. Bebtelovimab (Monoclonal Antibody) Bebtelovimab is an US FDA-authorized investigational monoclonal antibody treatment that was developed by Eli Lilly.  Is bebtelovimab effective against omicron: Data showing bebtelovimab’s efficacy against Omicron and its BA.2 subvariant prompted the FDA to authorize the drug through an EUA. A lab study published in July 2022 ( NEJM ) using the live-virus Focus Reduction Neutralization Testing (FRNT) method revealed that bebtelovimab seems to be the m

Azvudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that acts against HIV, HBV (Hepatitis B virus), and HCV (Hepatitis C virus). NRTIs are one of six classes of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Antiretroviral drugs interfere with the ability of a virus to multiply or reproduce. To treat HIV, NRTIs work by blocking an enzyme HIV needs to make copies of itself. Normally, HIV enters certain cells in the body that are part of the immune system. These cells are called CD4 cells, or T cells. After HIV enters the CD4 cells, the virus begins to copy itself. To do so, it needs to copy its RNA (RiboNucleic Acid) — the virus’s genetic makeup — into DNA (DeoxyRiboNucleic Acid). This process is called reverse transcription and requires an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. NRTIs prevent the virus’s reverse transcriptase from accurately copying its RNA into DNA. Without DNA, HIV can’t make copies of itself. China approves Genuine Biotech's HIV

Every year, tens of millions of Chinese urban dwellers escape to the tropical island of Hainan for its white-sand beaches, year-round warm weather, and all-inclusive resorts. But the beach getaway has turned into a literal tourist trap, with Chinese authorities stranding thousands of travelers in the tropical paradise due to a small COVID outbreak. On August 5, 2022, China’s Hainan island reported 127 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 48 in the capital Sanya. That number of cases may seem minuscule for an island of 9.2 million people, but Chinese authorities still adhere to a COVID-zero policy that does not tolerate any spread of the virus. China deploys harsh lockdowns, mass testing measures, and strict border controls to ensure that it stamps out all COVID cases, even as nearly every other country on earth has given up on fully eliminating the virus. Local authorities said the Hainan outbreak started at a fishing port, and likely emerged from locals who traded fish with fisherm

In January 2022, Health Canada approved the use of the oral antiviral medication called PAXLOVID™. PAXLOVID™ is made of a combination of two medications: nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. PAXLOVID™ is the first oral medication authorized for outpatient use for those who have a positive result from a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral test for the treatment of mild to moderate infection. PAXLOVID™ must be taken within five days of symptom onset. Currently in Canada, it is only recommended for patients who are at high risk of progressing to serious COVID-19 disease, including hospitalization or death.  How does PAXLOVID™ work?  PAXLOVID™ is made of a combination of two medications that work together to reduce or stop the replication of SARS-CoV-2. In order for a virus to make more copies of itself inside our cells, it needs to use several tools. One of these tools is an enzyme called SARS-CoV-2 3CL-like protease. This protease is