COVID-19 coronavirus is here in San Jose/Bay Area (as is being reported in the news) and from an unknown 'community transmission,' meaning, they don't know how the patient contracted it as they did not knowingly interact with anyone who has had it, nor traveled anywhere they may have contracted it.
The SF Chronicle has a great article out today, rich with helpful information - read it here.
The CDC's advice is to wash your hands (for 20 seconds, at least) and do not touch your face/eyes/mouth as much as possible. If you feel sick or unwell, please avoid contact with others and stay home. For more information check the WHO website or the CDC website.
If you have an appointment with us and you are not feeling well or know you have come in contact with someone who is infected, please call us and cancel your appointment.
Keep track of the common symptom pattern with the chart below, and remember that while this virus is not super-deadly, thankfully, it is super-contagious and hard to diagnose as you may not present with symptoms.
Image from PBS
As with any virus, the best strategy is to avoid exposure, maintain a healthy immune system with rest, and avoid the tendency for media to spin panic, as it sells coverage/attention. There is no need to panic as the mortality rate appears to be very low.
The best ways to maintain a healthy immune system is to get plenty of rest, avoid physically and psychological extremes of stress, keep the head/neck/upper back/extremities warm, and if you are the supplement-taking type, increase or renew taking of Vitamin D [1].
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
Additionally, here is a helpful interactive map that is being regularly updated with data on breakouts and case reports around the world. We will continue to keep an eye on the official data coming out as the virus is better understood in the coming days.
For those interested in how Chinese Medical doctors are using herbal medicine in conjunction with biomedicine/anti-virals, check out these podcasts: https://botanicalbiohacking.com/blog/2020/2/25/from-critical-condition-to-a-clear-ct-scan-integrative-medicine-vs-covid-19-coronavirus
https://qiological.com/epidemic-disease/
In Good Health!
Dr. Michael Brown, DACM, L.Ac.