Coronavirus - PA sufferers potentially at some increased risk

[Dollery]

It’s been questioned whether PA sufferers are more - or perhaps less - at risk from coronavirus.

As a long-standing PA sufferer, with confirmed ‘autoimmune’ damage to the gastric mucosa, I can say that I seem to have little immunity to common cold viruses; and I do not readily recover from bacterial chest infections that tend to follow.

Further, we are informed that the entire population will have no immunity to the new virus, which leaves us with the question of resultant lung infections.

PA sufferers, by consequence of their reduced gastric performance, can become - in relative terms at least - low in minerals (including zinc) and vitamins (including C), which examples are both important for maintenance the immune system.

Iron's absorption, required for haemoglobin (Hb) production, may be impaired, too. In consequence, I think that PA sufferers, as a whole, will tend to have lower-than-average total haemoglobin levels. (Over years, I have watched my ferritin and Hb levels decline to points now very close to the bottom of their respective ’normal’ ranges. And have read of other like-cases.)

What of low Hb? It means that the supply of oxygen available to the heart and other organs may normally be rather less for us than for the average person. Significantly, in such subjects a percentage SpO2 measure, while saying something about the lungs, will not translate into a reflection of the (perhaps low) oxygen-carrying capacity of the circulation.

So, in chest infection, the combination of a reduced lung function and an existing lowish or low total haemoglobin, might logically be expected to have an earlier, and greater, impact on the system of the PA sufferer. So, I suggest that if you become infected you don't want to delay too long before seeking medical help.

Whether the aspect described above, in relation to PA, has yet been worked out by the medical advisers, I wonder.

Dollery

(Not a medic, but a scientist)

[waveylines]

Very good point Dollery. I dont know if it makes us more likely to suffer. I have developed several autoimmune conditions alongside a heart problem in latter years so I suspect am a bit more prone to a rougher ride if I get it.

I think there is a little more we can do once weve implemented the governments advice, except ensure any deficiencies are addressed......I take your point about vit C.......vit D is another one that helps our immune system fight off bugs, again should only supplemnt if low.