Recently the COVID team leader for Galen Medical, Dr. Julie Bilbrey, posted some interesting facts that I wanted to share. It may shed some light on the irregularities we see with COVID-19 illnesses across the area. Those facts pertain to the Viral Load of COVID-19, and how it pertains to how sick people get when they contract the virus.
The definition of Viral Load on wiki isn’t very helpful to the average Joe or Sally, not to be confused with Karen who already knows everything. So I wanted to use analogies that Dr. Bilbrey used, which we can all relate to:
Bee stings:
One bee sting, is painful yes, a nuisance absolutely, but you typically get over it pretty easy. However, what happens when let’s say 25 bees sting you? Or worse yet, 100 bees. You will develop a life threatening reaction, that what will happen. This is tenable to the reaction your body has to COVID-19.
Viral Load in COVID-19 should be factored in when weighing the risks of not wearing a mask in crowded areas. We all know that a mask will not keep you 100 percent protected from contracting the virus. However, what it will do is reduce the Viral Load, the amount of the virus you receive. The lesser amount, the less severe your symptoms, if any which help explain a asymptomatic persons.
A brief encounter, say a few minutes with a mask can even cause you to contract the virus. A prolonged encounter with an infected person, without wearing a mask make it inevitable. It can mean the difference between life and death, especially if you are over 65 and or have pre-existing medical conditions.
Whatever your feelings are on the issue, please make smart choices for you and your family.
James Berry