SARS COV 2 (SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORANOVIRUS 2) is the etiological agent of the current COVID-19 pandemic (CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019), an infectious disease that generates a state of general inflammation of the body and produces different degrees of commitment. The affected organs currently studied are the cardio-respiratory system, digestive tract, and vascular system; however, viruses usually affect the human body as a whole.

The incubation period of the virus is highly variable. After infection, symptoms usually appear between 5 to 6 days, but could appear from 1 to 14 days. 97.5% of those infected show symptoms 11.5 days after infection.
The most common symptoms are cough, fever, dyspnea, diarrhea, nausea, tachycardia, and headache.

To date, it has been possible to identify high mortality risk groups: people over 60 years of age, and people with comorbidities (arterial hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung disease, cancer, or other states of immunosuppression).

Severely affected patients are those who present with respiratory failure (desaturation), are admitted to the hospital to be treated under current standards, and receive oxygen. Patients who do not present with respiratory failure are advised to isolate themselves at home, and monitor their oyygen saturation (using a pulse oximeter) while symptomatic.

Post COVID-19, there can be aftereffects. This possibility depends on the degree to which the organs involved have been affected. The most common aftereffect to date is Pulmonary Fibrosis, which causes the patient to depend on oxygen permanently.

Among the diagnostic tests approved by the FDA are the Molecular test (swab), which detects the Viral genome, and the antibody test (known as rapid test) which identifies proteins that the body generates as a defense against the virus.

Chest tomography is another diagnostic tool which is useful for identifying characteristic lesions in the patient’s lungs, and can help determine both the stage and severity of their disease. This test is only requested when the affected person has respiratory failure (low oxygen saturation).

Prevention is better than cure. There is currently no approved drug for prevention, either pre-exposure or post-exposure to the virus. What is recommended is constant hand washing, and the use of a mask to avoid contagion.

The human body has excellent security measures, collectively known as the immune system. This system identifies agents that are not typical in the blood and / or cells. When there is a deficit in this system, our body is more vulnerable to infections.

Therefore, it is vital to have a functioning immune system, especially at this time. Through proper nutrition, we guarantee the optimal functioning of the body and its immune system.

Having a diet that meets all the body’s needs is of vital importance. However, we cannot guarantee that any given diet will supply all the nutrients your body requires, especially when it comes to micronutrients (vitamins and minerals.) Therefore, it may be necessary, in some cases, to supplement your diet with certain micronutirents.

Once the basics of the diet are covered, we must stimulate the immune system through functional nutrients, some of which can be found in fruits and vegetables. However, since we can’t easily assess their quantity and quality in produce, it is important that they be sufficiently administered through supplementation.

In order to do this, I create personalized nutritional and supplementation plans that help maintain the immune system properly, and help prevent COVID-19 infection.