Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

COVID-19 is still a global health issue but we can responsibly live with it

Melvin Sanicas, MD
Conditions
March 11, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

The World Health Organization (WHO) first declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020, when, outside of China, there were fewer than 100 cases, and there were no deaths. This formal declaration by the WHO has been renewed 12 times, most recently last month the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee advised the WHO that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) but the world is in a transition point. The White House, on the other hand, announced that COVID national and public health emergencies will expire on May 11.

The reality is, SARS-CoV-2 does not care whether there’s a public health emergency declaration or not. It will just continue to infect people (and animals) and spread which means the animals can become a viral reservoir and potentially breed new variants.

With the only other devastating global outbreak that our generation knows about, the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic – we know that over time, those who contracted the virus and survived developed an immunity and life somehow returned to “normal” by the 1920s, but the virus did not magically disappear. The pandemic-level flu virus evolved into just another seasonal flu. Will that be the case for SARS-CoV-2? Maybe. Maybe not. We have learned so much about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 but there are still more things that we need to understand about the virus and the disease especially if we know that we are going to live with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future.

Besides the political polarization around COVID and the spread of misinformation and disinformation that we are still experiencing every day, one of the major challenges for understanding COVID is that all the scientific information came to us like drinking from a firehose and we were not even sure if what we were drinking was potable or lethal and all the science happened under a 24/7 spotlight. Before COVID, scientific research only reaches the public after it has gone through a series of review, scrutiny, and evaluation – this was completely the opposite for COVID.

What are the things many people still do not understand about COVID?

COVID-19 is airborne. Long-distance airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 happens in indoor settings such as restaurants, workplaces, and venues for choirs; therefore, good ventilation is essential. Wearing masks and washing hands matter, but ventilating indoor environments with fresh air is important too.

Masks work to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, despite a recent Cochrane review saying they do not. This review combined randomized controlled trials (RCTs) where face masks (cloth masks, surgical masks) or respirators (i.e., N95) were worn part of the time with RCTs where they were worn at all times (“continuous use”).

COVID-19 can cause an ongoing, sustained inflammatory response for up to 8 months following even mild-to-moderate infection. Chronic inflammation is not good; therefore, it is still important to avoid getting infected, especially if one is an older adult or with other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and other diseases.

COVID-19 is associated with a 66 percent higher risk of developing new-onset diabetes. Of course, association does not mean causation. Still, we now know that even after a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, those who had COVID-19 have a greater risk of developing diabetes compared with those who never had the disease – more research is needed on this, but this is certainly another important reason to avoid getting infected in the first place.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, but it is also a disease of the vascular system. The virus can inflame the lining of blood vessels in both the young and old and can cause blood clotting. COVID-19 damages the heart and can cause sudden strokes in young people.

COVID-19 increases the risk of neurological and psychiatric disorders: cognitive deficit, dementia, epilepsy, or seizures up to 2 years after the infection.

Three years after, we have come a long way – we have several safe and effective vaccines that work despite the newer variants, we have antivirals and therapeutics that cut the risk of hospitalization and death, and we understand the virus more, but COVID-19 is still a threat, over 1,000 people still die globally (a far cry from the height of over 16,500 a day) and some questions remain. Nevertheless, we can live responsibly with COVID-19.

Melvin Sanicas is an infectious disease physician.

Prev

Tips for managing seasonal affective disorder [PODCAST]

March 10, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

The dangers of sharing personal health information online: Protecting your privacy and health

March 11, 2023 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Infectious Disease

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Tips for managing seasonal affective disorder [PODCAST]
Next Post >
The dangers of sharing personal health information online: Protecting your privacy and health

More by Melvin Sanicas, MD

  • Breastfeeding is best, but why do some countries struggle?

    Melvin Sanicas, MD
  • Measles outbreaks: Getting to the root of the problem

    Melvin Sanicas, MD
  • Flu vaccination in pregnant women reduces risk of hospitalization

    Melvin Sanicas, MD

Related Posts

  • COVID-19 shows why we need health insurance

    Jingyi Liu, MD
  • Why health care will never be the same after the COVID-19 pandemic

    Naheed Ali, MD, PhD
  • COVID-19 proved that diverse voices make health care better

    Naprisha Taylor
  • COVID-19 becomes a magnifying glass for health disparities

    Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
  • Forgetting mental health is a miss for the Biden COVID-19 task force

    Jennifer Piel, MD, JD
  • The social determinants of health during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Heather Thompson Buum, MD

More in Conditions

  • Overcoming Parkinson’s: a journey of laughter and resilience

    Cynthia Poire Mathews, FNP
  • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

    Denise Reich
  • Maximize sleep efficiency with stimulus control

    Pedram Navab, DO
  • The endless waves of chronic illness

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Surviving and thriving after life’s most difficult moments

    Rebecca Fogg, MBA
  • The surprising power of Play-Doh in pediatric care: How it’s bringing families together

    Alexander Rakowsky, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 3 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Journal Shows Its Commitment to Exploring AI in Medicine
  • Do Away With 'Lockout' Period in iPLEDGE, FDA Advisors Urge
  • Cluster Headache, Migraine Linked to Circadian System
  • Smaller Liver Transplant Candidates Wait Longer, Less Likely to Receive Organ
  • A 'Double Whammy' for Gastric Cancer Risk

Meeting Coverage

  • Oral Roflumilast Effective in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
  • Phase III Trials 'Hit a Home Run' in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
  • Cannabis Use Common in Post-Surgery Patients on Opioid Tapering
  • Less Abuse With Extended-Release Oxycodone, Poison Center Data Suggest
  • Novel Strategies Show Winning Potential in Ovarian Cancer
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

COVID-19 is still a global health issue but we can responsibly live with it
3 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...