LogFAQs > #935016922

jwlim80 posted...

At this moment, health authorities are trying hard to contain it but it seems that they are failing too without resorting to extreme measures.

So my question is do you think it's better to let it go seasonal and just focus on a vaccine or cure ?

I don't think so. I think there needs to be a multimodal approach. As archaic as china's infection control methods have been, they are working to decrease the rate of infection. Public health and limiting spread is absolutely important. To do this we need to identify where the cases are so that we can be most vigilant. It takes a collective effort of good hygiene and awareness to limit these things and ultimately decrease its rate of spread.

At the same time we need to work on a vaccine and treatment. They are trialing some anti-virals to see if they'll work on this, and realistically speaking it takes years to even prove that a vaccine works. They can make one but its very hard to expedite the clinical testing to prove its efficacy. Thats why when Trump said the vaccine is almost here, the CDC official immediately said, a vaccine is at least a year away if not more. But at this point I think the most important thing is identify where the cases are in the community. CDC has broadened its diagnostic criteria. These viruses (coronaviruses) tend to shapeshift quite frequently. Thats why we don't see a vaccine for the common cold. And as we have all experienced in our lifetime, its possible to have colds back to back within a short timespan.

I think it should also be a priority to make a rapid form of testing. Right now we'd have to send samples to the CDC to be tested, and the turn around time is about 3 days. Imagine if every hospital had a rapid test, we could be so much more effective at identifying cases and help limit its spread.

NeonOctopus posted...

As a 30yo dude, should I even be worried about this or is it only babies and old farts like every other epidemic? >_>

The case fatality rate for anyone under 40 is like 0.2%. To be realistic, you will likely be fine, at worst you may get sick and need to be hospitalized briefly. But the overwhelming likelihood is that you have some mild symptoms that go away and nothing happens to you. But the problem is you may be spreading it to others who may be asymptomatic also and they may spread it to people who are more vulnerable. Like I said earlier, these epidemics/pandemics need everyone to be responsible, which means if you do get sick and you live in an area where there have been cases, it may be best to quarantine yourself, wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid crowded areas.

Justin_Blackmon posted...

Have there been any clues as what, if any, long term health risks this brings? Like potential heart damage or lung problems?

Literally impossible to tell. In very severe cases it may cause ARDS which is described and possibly myocarditis which I believe I read about, but I'm not certain. These can both have lasting effects depending on the severity and both can be life threatening in the short term. Again these are very severe cases. ARDS would be more common I'd guess.