Coronavirus Prevention

There is still much unknown about this novel strain of the Coronavirus. Scientists with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said tests had shown the pneumonia-like virus was transmitted at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale market from animals to humans—zoonotic disease.  This new strain of the Coronavirus disease 2019— (COVID-19)—had not previously been identified in humans.  There are currently 7 strains of the Coronavirus that can affect humans, 4 of which have been around for a very long time. (These strains are among 200 or so viruses known to cause the common cold.) According to the CDC, this is the first pandemic known to be caused by the emergence of a new coronavirus. The last four pandemics were specific to influenza.  It is uncertain how this pathogen will mutate among different populations, whether it will become a more virulent or mild form.  Still, it is highly contagious. 

It is important to follow all official recommendations:  washing hands frequently: maintaining social distance when someone is coughing or sneezing; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; and covering your own nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing [to avoid droplet transmission]. If you have a fever, cough, or difficult breathing, seek medical attention. Testing is now available in Milwaukee and Madison, but it may take 1-2 days for results.  While waiting for results, stay home.

It is important individuals keep informed on reliable websites as this, as described by the CDC, is “a rapidly evolving situation:” 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) basic information page on COVID-19

World Health Organization (WHO) Recommendations for Protective Measures

CDC link for COVID-19 News

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF INFECTION? [Golden Flower Chinese Herbs 3/5/20]

FEVER: In the vast majority of COVID-19 cases the first sign or symptom of an active infection is fever. Between 94% and 98% of infected patients get a fever, whether their case is mild or severe. In about half of the cases the peak temperature of the fever is between 100.5°F and 102°F. In about 30% of the cases the fever is even higher than 102°F; roughly 20% of cases have a very mild temperature.

COUGH: The second most common clinical feature of COVID-19 infection is cough. About ¾ of active cases develop cough. Most of the coughs are non-productive (little to no sputum). The cough typically develops 1-3 days after the fever, but there can be a lot of variation with the timing.

DYSPNEA: Dyspnea is difficult breathing. Over half the cases will develop dyspnea. In nearly every case of severe infection (when hospitalization is required) there will be dyspnea.

MYALGIA/FATIGUE: Myalgia refers to the type of body ache that is commonly seen with influenza. Fatigue can be quite pronounced. These two symptoms often appear together and are reported in a little less than half of the COVID-19 cases.

Documentary: “The Children’s Hospital of Orange County”

The documentary film “The Children’s Hospital of Orange County” features the incredible work of licensed acupuncturist Ruth McCarty in her treatment of pediatric patients.  Stories of how children’s quality of life improved “tremendously by acupuncture and related therapies in easing their fatigue, nausea and pain especially through the process of 18 months of chemotherapy” are told.   Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. William Loudon, Scientific Director of the CHOC Neuroscience Center for Research and Section Chief of Neurosurgery, describes how his search for ways to help his patients’ quality of life led him to Chinese medicine.  CHOC’s chief medial officer explains how he had to create a position in order to credential McCarty into the hospital staff, but then “how easy it was to get buy-in from other doctors once they saw the results their patients experienced.”   The author of this article in “Acupuncture Today,” Matthew Bauer, emphasizes the need for complementary medicine and integration of acupuncturists in hospital settings.  [“Expanding the Reach of Acupuncture” by Matthew Bauer, L.Ac.,  April 2018.]

 

CREATING YOUR PERSONAL VISION OF HEALTH

“Many people live with less than good health for so much of the time that it’s easy to forget what real, glowing, vital good health is like and how precious it is (Hansard, 226).”  “One of the first secrets in journeying towards health is choosing to be healthy (Boice, 20).”  It is important to realize that to accomplish any objective, maintaining health is essential.  Without health, one cannot bring visions to fruition.  Achieving a professional ambition or having a comfortable retirement while also pursuing a vocation is not possible if one is struggling with poor health.  Recovering or retaining health requires time and effort.  In order to create health, it is not simply a matter of avoiding certain illnesses or placating a spouse.  Why do you want to be healthy? (Boice, 24).

MOTIVATION:  Consider what is most important in your life.  What matters to you?  What do you want to create?  For the moment, set aside thoughts about whether or not those creations are possible; instead, tell yourself the truth about what you really want in life.  Choosing health to serve your life vision fundamentally differs from avoiding a consequence such as a serious illness.  “Creating engages our life force, our innate regenerative capacity, as we birth new projects, objects, or states of being into the world.  Creative focus seems to revive regenerative forces with us (Boice, 24).”

Some individuals may be either uncertain of how to adequately nourish themselves, unaware of what is required to maintain good health because there is so much conflicting nutritional advice.  Other individuals may have resigned themselves to an impoverished view of their health or be unaware of an effective alternative approach, resorting to drugs and surgery to address all of their symptoms.

“Most medical systems focus on eliminating problems:  Slay the symptoms.  Avoid illness.  Prevent disease.  All these approaches are problem-solving strategies.  None of these methods focus on what you want to create; instead they address what you want to avoid or eliminate.  As you create health, you may well employ medical services to fulfill your vision of health (Boice, 21-22).”

In order to prolong health, it is important to follow the principles of healthy “whole food” traditional diets.

GOALS:   Choosing health means one is moving from fears (avoidance strategies) and toward a desired outcome.  Once health has improved, one continues to do what is needed to support a long-term vision of health.  One does not vacillate between opposing decisions, i.e., eating Domino’s pizza or preparing a nutritionally dense dinner.  One may affirm “I want to feel this way when I am eighty-two, so I am keeping up my walking program and eating healthy foods.  I haven’t felt this good since I was sixteen!”

CREATING A CLEAR PICTURE OF HEALTH

Imagine what you would be like with full, vibrant health.  Sketch in as much detail as possible.  Forget about being “realistic.”  Tell the truth about what you really desire.  Do not diminish your vision so you are more comfortable with it.   Once you have made a decision about where you would like to be, consider your current condition.  Then set goals to achieve what you really desire (Boice).

“Take a moment to imagine what it would be like to live robustly to a ripe old age of one hundred or more.  …you die peacefully in your sleep after your last dance that evening.  You don’t die of any particular illness, and you haven’t gradually been wasting away under the spell of some awful, enfeebling disease that began years or decades earlier.  Most of us can’t picture ourselves avoiding the ailments that tend to end others’ lives prematurely and sometimes suddenly.  Yet I want you to believe that you can live a long, fulfilling, disease-free life—because it is possible.  The end of illness is closer than you think.  It is my wish for you.  But to achieve this superhuman feat, you have to understand health from a new perspective and embrace a few tenets of well-being…(Agus, MD,2-3).”

“To create a more optimistic vision of future possibilities for yourself, imagine a healthy life of average length—say, eighty years—and now stretch it out to a minimum of a hundred twenty years.  Envision yourself active and healthy at ages over a hundred, doing all the activities you want—even taking your bicycle out for a relaxing scenic ride!  If you are an optimist, think beyond a hundred twenty; stretch it out indefinitely, with no end in sight (Estep, 13.)

“The Good Health Thought Exercise” (Hansard, 227)

Sit or lie down on your back.  Make sure your head is straight and your body weight is evenly distributed.  Close your eyes.  Let your breathing be relaxed and as even as possible.  Now image your body, your emotions, and your thoughts, from the center of the top of your head, down throughout your body, to the tips of your toes, starting to dissolve slowly, piece by piece, into a small pile of fine red powder.  All that is left behind is you, your personality and consciousness.  Stay like this for at least ten minutes if you can.  During this time, see yourself clearly as you wish to be:  vibrant and healthy.

 

Agus, David A, MD  (2011) “The End of Illness”   
  Free Press: New York NY
Boice, Judith, ND, L.Ac.  (2007) “Menopause with Science and Soul:  
  A Guidebook for Navigating the Journey”  
  Celestial Arts; Berkeley California
Estep III, Preston (2016) “The Mind Span Diet”  
  Ballantine Books, New York, NY
Hansard, Christopher (2003) “The Tibetan Art of Positive Thinking”  
  Hodder and Stoughton; London