Coronavirus and Under active thyroid

[Bubble214]

Have a question...with the coronavirus becoming an issue within the UK are people with thyroid disorders at any more risk than healthy people as such?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bubble214

There have been a few posts in recent days, it might be worth you reading through them, click on the post titles from this search:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I think the main message is prevention, same as any winter flu virus, so taking precautions should be high on everyone's list, eg regular handwashing, avoiding people with infections, boosting immune system, etc.

[Bubble214 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Do you know if people with Hashimotos more at risk from this virus? Will it affect our bodies in a different way?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bubble214]

I don't know if a person with Hashi's is any more at risk than a person with non-Hashi's hypothyroidism. I think there are people with far more compromising chronic conditions that are more at risk. I have progressive lung disease and it would probably finish me off, but I'm not panicking and I'm taking precautions.

[Hidden]

Best to take as many precautions as you can. One I am going to take is to wear disposable gloves when exposed to possible infection. Surprised nobody else seems to be suggesting this as you wouldn't then be under any requirement to wash your hands when no washing facilities available. Simply peel off the gloves and put on a new pair anywhere.

Also you would not unwittingly infect your eyes/mouth/nose wearing gloves!

[Treepie in reply to Hidden]

You would if you use a gloved hand to touch your mouth etc.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Treepie]

Currently, gloves are not advised.

Coronavirus: Can latex gloves protect you from catching deadly virus?

Public Health England (PHE) and the World Health Organisation has also not recommended people wear gloves or face masks to protect themselves.

A spokesperson for PHE tells The Independent: “PHE is not recommending the use of gloves as a protective measure against COVID-19 for the general public.

“People concerned about the transmission of infectious diseases should prioritise good personal, respiratory and hand hygiene.”

A virologist at Imperial College London also told The Independent that they worry items like gloves give a “false sense of security” and washing hands is a far better precautionary measure.

independent.co.uk/life-styl...

[Treepie in reply to helvella]

I was responding to Panda who seemed to suggest wearing gloves would prevent you touching your face and avoid infection.

I understand the concern for masks/ gloves giving folk a false sense of security and reduce the frequency of washing hands. ( Masks on Amazon have gone from under £10 to £99).

During and after chemo over the last 12 months I wore ordinary gloves on supermarket visits to avoid infections ( after a cold had made me very ill) but had to take off to pay ,then washed hands when got home.

Gloves used this way in high risk areas e.g .airport security where the trays are rarely washed seems sensible, if disposed of straight afterwards .I have ordered some that claim to protect from viruses as I make a final decision about a holiday in a few days before payment. My red blood cells are below range and a few other liver enzyme measures are abnormal so tricky decision without the virus.

Trying to improve our immune systems with beta glucans, elderberry etc may ameliorate whatever infections we do get.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Treepie]

Yes - I appreciated your response as to Panda but I didn't want to cut out what you had added.

[Lisajane7 in reply to Hidden]

No one is suggesting it because you're creating the perfect medium for the virus to multiply... wearing gloves makes your hands hot and sweaty, which is the perfect medium for this virus to live... you would need to change the gloves often and wash hands inbetween!

The virus would still pass to eyes and mouth if touched.

As someone who has worked in healthcare, I can tell you that wearing latex or non-latex gloves to perform normal daily tasks is difficult... your hands become so wet that the gloves start to slip on and off... the skin on your hands would become saturated... like being in a bath or pool too long... creating issues with the natural flora and good bacteria we have on our skin..

Please DON'T wear gloves 😔

[flo-jo100 in reply to Lisajane7]

I work in a shop some I’m handling money, I wear latex gloves then wash my hands when I get home