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SARS-COV-2’s Viability on Surfaces
How long does SARS-Cov-2 survive on surfaces? A study published in New England Journal of Medicine looked at the viability of the virus on surfaces. The reduction of number of surfaces are measured in log numbers. Therefore we look at 10 fold reduction of viral agents. Say for example you have 100,000 viruses, then we…
The Routes of Transmission of SARS-Cov-2
SARS- CoV is spread by multiple routes Droplets and fomite transmission. The first route of transmission is the direct route in which respiratory droplets are generated by an infected person and inhaled by a healthy person. The second route is an indirect route in which an infected person touches a common object or emits respiratory…
COVID-19 and Heart Disease (Part 7)
Stress induced cardiomyopathy AKA Broken heart syndrome AKA Takosubo syndrome There is a condition known as stress induced cardiomyopathy. In this condition the patient can present with chest pain, shortness of breath and have EKG abnormalities that are classic for a heart attack. Echocardiogram reveals damage to the heart muscle identical to what is seen…
COVID-19 and Heart Disease (Part 6)
Myocardial infarction (heart attack) In my last blogs, I explained that inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the sac around the heart (pericarditis) can occur as a result of infection with SARS-Cov-2 . However, the inflammation cascade that occurs with the virus can increase clotting and what is called as plaque rupture. This can…
COVID-19 and the Heart (part 5)
Pericarditis In my previous post, I explained the disease of myocarditis which can occur with COVID-19. Myocarditis involves the severe inflammation of the muscle of the heart leading the pump to fail. Pericarditis is a more benign condition that involves the inflammation of the sack around the heart ( the pericardium). Pericarditis is painful. The…
COVID-19 and the Heart (Part 4)
Myocarditis COVID-19 disease is a highly inflammatory disease that can affect both the muscle of the heart (the myocardium) and the sack around the heart (pericardium). If it causes inflammation of the myocardium, the condition is called myocarditis (myo= muscle, cardio = heart, itis= inflammation). Patients with myocarditis are very vulnerable and can develop heart…
COVID-19 and the Heart (Part 3)
Individuals with pre-existing heart disease Patients with pre-existing heart disease such as history of stents in the coronaries, history of bypass surgery, history of heart attack or stroke and history of congestive heart failure are at highest risk of dying from COVID-19. It is therefore imperative that those patients use utmost caution in wearing masks…
COVID-19 and the Heart (Part 2)
Individuals with risk factors for heart disease Those patients with underlying risk factors for heart disease such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease and smoking are at higher risk for complications with COVID-19 and at higher risk of dying from it. If you develop COVID-19 illness that is asymptomatic or mildly…
COVID -19 and the Heart (Part 1)
How does COVID-19 affect the heart? In answer to that question, we have to look at two different populations. One group involves generally healthy individuals with no risk factors for heart disease and no pre-existing heart conditions and the other involves patients who are high risk individuals with underlying hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smokers and…
Testing for COVID-19 (nuclei acid test and antibody)
Testing for COVID-19. The Panther Fusion® SARS-CoV-2 Assay There are currently two types of tests available for COVID-19. It is important to know the difference and the value of each test. The first test is to check for active infection. That is called a NAAT test (nucleic acid test). If you have symptoms of COVID-19…
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