The Nature of the Disease
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large group of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to serious infections like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The new form of the infection is called novel Coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2), more commonly called Covid-19. The SARS Coronaviruses are called zoonatic disorders because they have been transmitted from animals to humans. This new infection originally spread to people in Wuhan, Hubei Provence, China and is now a global pandemic
Recently it has been discovered that a new mutated strain of Covid-19 (Spike D614G) appeared in Europe in February and quickly migrated to the East Coast of the USA. Since mid-March this potentially more infectious strain has become the dominant virus worldwide. Scientists are not clear whether infection with the old strain provides adequate protection against the new strain. It is also unknown if the vaccine research carried out on the old strain is completely valid for the new mutated strain.
The incubation period for novel Coronavirus varies between 2 to 14 days. It also seems to affect the elderly more than the young. In the USA, however, 40% of hospitalized cases are in ages 20 to 50. Experts opine that this is because so many Americans are obese and there are an increasing number of younger persons who are unhealthy.
Around 82% of cases do not develop any serious symptoms and 25% are asymptomatic carriers. Around 13.8 % have more severe symptoms and 4.7% become critically ill. The more serious cases may cause pneumonia, lung lesions, acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS), cardiac arrhythmias, heart, kidney and organ failure, septic shock and death. The percentage of fatalities in the most infected areas in China is around 2%. WHO is reporting 3.4%. These percentages are based only on known cases. It does not include many asymptomatic cases. This means the percentage of deaths may be less rather than more.
Those 60 years or older and those with compromised immune systems, preexisting breathing problems, hypertension, diabetes, or those who are receiving cancer treatment are the most at risk. In persons 10 years old to 39 the fatality rate is 0.2%; 40 to 49 years 0.4%; 50 to 59 years is 1.3%; 60-69 years is 3.6%; 70-79 years is 8%; and 80 years + is 14.8%.
The Symptoms
The infection tends to affect the lower respiratory tract more than the upper tract like the eyes, ears, nose and throat. The most common symptoms reported by WHO are fever (88%), dry cough (67.7%), loss of appetite (39%), fatigue (38%), body aches (34%) mucus discharges (33.4%), shortness of breath (18.6%), myalgia or arthralgia (14.8%), sore throat (13.9%), headache (13.6%), chills (11.4%), dizziness (10%), nausea and vomiting (5%), nasal congestion (4.8%), diarrhoea (3.7%), hemoptysis (0.9%) and congestion of the conjunctiva and red eyes (0.8%). Loss of smell and taste is not uncommon.
Some recent studies show that up to 31% of critical cases show thrombotic complications including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, ischemic strokes, heart attacks and systemic arterial embolism. These symptoms have been found in a few persons under 50 who didn't show severe respiratory symptoms.
An odd symptom is "Covid toes" in which the feet become cold, blistered, purple and swollen as if they were frostbitten (pseudo-chilblains 19%). This is more common in children and young adults. These skin lesions may occur as an early sign of the disease before the onset of other symptoms. In many cases it is the only sign of the disease in what seems to be a healthy person. Others develop the symptoms during the disease. The skin lesions can last for 1 to 3 weeks. Other Covid-19 related skin symptoms include monomorphic vesicles (9%), urticaria, erythema multiforme (a rash-like lesion that is red, pink, purple or brown) and necrosis (6%).
A recent development is the appearance of Toxic Shock Syndrome or Kawaski-like syndrome in children that have contracted Covid-19. This condition is being called Paediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally Associated with COVID-19. Normally Kawasaki disease affects children 5 years and younger but this syndrome as also reported in teenagers. This inflammatory syndrome may occur days to weeks after acute Covid-19. The symptoms include fever, trouble breathing, patchy blue skin, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and cardiac inflammation, cardiogenic or vasogenic and toxic shock. This sequel causes higher degrees of cardiac injury than typical Kawasaki disease. It has been reported that 80% of patients have been admitted to hospital ICU wards.
The Progression of the Disease State
The progression of Covid-19 tends to follow the following sequence although variations do occur.
Day 1: Fever, fatigue, muscle pains, body ache and dry cough.
Day 2-4: Increased throat pain, pain on speaking, mild headache, cramps, diarrhoea and nausea. Fever increases.
Day 5-8: Breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, increased throat pain, joint pains worse motion, weakness increases. The fever increases.
Day 8-9: In severe cases acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), heaviness and pain in chest. Toxic appearance and symptoms
Day 10: Abdominal pain and loss of appetite. The intensity of the symptoms increases in serious cases with cyanosis, respiratory failure, septic shock, multiple organ failure etc.
Day 11-17: The symptoms lessen. Average person becomes convalescent.
Day 18 and beyond: Some persons develop a post Covid-19 "Never Well Since Syndrome" in which the symptoms linger, relapse or are followed by sequels.
The following detailed clinical symptoms were presented by the Military Medical Research Journal, China.
Stage 1
Early-stage. Clinical manifestations: Aversion to cold without sweating, headache and generalized heaviness, limb pain, as if stuck and fullness in the chest and diaphragm, thirst with no desire to drink, loose stool, yellow urine, frequent micturition.
Stage 2
Early-stage. Clinical manifestations: Aversion to cold with or without fever, dry cough, dry throat, fatigue and hypodynamia, oppression in chest, epigastric fullness, or nausea, loose stool. Tongue: Pale or reddish; fur slimy white. Soggy pulse.
Stage 3
Middle-stage. Clinical manifestations: Persistent fever or alternating cold and heat, cough with less phlegm, or yellow phlegm, abdominal distension and constipation; oppression in chest with shortness of breath, cough with wheezes, panting on exertion; red tongue, slimy yellow fur or yellow dry fur. Slippery and rapid pulse.
Stage 4
Severe stage. Clinical manifestations: High fever, oppression in chest with shortness of breath, purple- black facial complexion, lips dark and swollen, obnubilation (mental cloudiness and torpidity) crimson tongue, yellow dry fur. Surging and fine rapid string like pulse.
Stage 5
Severe-stage: Clinical manifestations: Dyspnoea, panting on exertion or need assisted ventilation, accompanied by coma, and agitation, cold limbs with cold sweating, dark purple tongue, thick or dry thick tongue fur. Floating and rootless pulse.
Stage 6
Recovery-stage. Clinical manifestations: Shortness of breath, fatigue and hypodynamia, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, glomus and fullness, weak stools, loose stool, pale tender-soft enlarged tongue, slimy white tongue fur.
Stage 7
Recovery-stage. Clinical manifestations: Generalized heat with sweating, chest heat vexation, retching and vomiting, shortness of breath and lassitude, red tongue and thin tongue fur. Vacuous pulse.
The Origin of the Epidemic
The origin of Covid-19 is a question that has not been fully answered. There are many conspiracy theories but the zoonotic origins of the disease cannot be denied. The question is did the virus cross the species line in local markets in China like SARS-CoV or did it escape from a virology laboratory? The laboratory hypothesis makes this epidemic a onetime accident. In some ways one wishes it was that simple. Unfortunately the underlying cause of animal to human transmission of infectious diseases is a far more complex problem.Today we face unsustainable environment degradation with global warming and nuclear, chemical and electromagnetic pollution. This is compounded by destructive land use, reduced habitat and the abuse of water sources. Due to increasing population density and loss of habitat, the poor are forced to hunt for more wild animals, sometimes called bush meat. There is also a large market in East Asia trading in wild animals for medicine and as exotic foods. Most of this trade in meat products is slaughtered in inhuman ways in unhygienic "wet markets" increasing the chance of transmission of animal infections to human beings.
Another element is that the factory farming industry partakes in unhygienic animal husbandry compounded by abuse of hormones and antibiotics, which enter the environment and the human body. Modern agriculture is prone to the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that poison the land and the food grown in the contaminated soil. All of this has taken a great toll on the human terrain, the microbiome. Now global warming is changing the climate and tropical bacteria and viruses are moving northward.
At the same time, the general population is eating a toxin-laden unhealthy diet contributing to autointoxication, increasing obesity and manifold metabolic syndromes. This is leading to faulty elimination, weakened vitality and compromised immune systems. This makes people more susceptible to ever increasing numbers of mutating acute and chronic infections (miasmas). This is acerbated by the abuse of vaccines, antiseptics and suppressive medicines causing the mutation of more virulent strains of drug resistant infections. This is a perfect storm.
The novel Coronavirus pandemic is just the beginning and what is coming may be far worse. New diseases will jump from animals to humans and cause new epidemics. Covid-19 is a self-limiting acute miasma and will eventually reach herd immunity. A larger danger may be the appearance of a non-limiting new chronic miasma that will be an airborne killer worse than tuberculosis (TB) was in earlier centuries. This cycle will not end until there is worldwide reform of environmental laws, fair distribution of resources, careful control of allopathic drugs and vaccinations, and a tighter regulation of the meat supply chain. Dare to Know!
Prevention
Samuel Hahnemann, the Founder of Homoeopathy, introduced the use of homoeopathic remedies for prophylaxis against a number of infectious diseases. C. M. Boenninghausen, C. Hering and others followed suit with further recommendations. The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Ministry of AYUSH, of the Indian Government organized a meeting of experienced Homeopathic doctors to assess the virus and make suggestions. After studying the symptoms, they have recommended Arsenicum album 30c as a front line preventative remedy. This preventative remedy is being widely distributed in India. The CCRH is recommending 1 dose of 4 pills a day for 3 days and then waiting for 1 month to see whether the epidemic is still threatening, and if so, repeat another series of 3 doses.
Remedies for prevention are called genus epidemicus remedies. Since the announcement by the CCRH, reports of the symptoms of Coronavirus have been recorded by Homoeopaths in China, Iran, Europe and the USA. This has expanded the possible preventative remedies. Some of the most promising remedies are Arsenicum (India), Bryonia (Canada), Gelsemium (Hong Kong), and Camphora (Iran). My study of group symptoms from around the world presents Arsenicum as a universal genus epidemicus remedy. For more information on Homeoprophylaxis refer to Prevention and Treatment of Epidemic Diseases by Homoeopathy.
Potency, Dose and Repetition
The question of potency, dose and repetition is an important subject. First of all, what are the processes involved in finding and administering a preventative remedy? The genus epidemicus remedies are chosen by the group characteristics of an infectious disease of common cause and similar symptoms. A preventative remedy based on the symptoms of a collective group of patients is not a personal constitutional analysis. For this reason, James Kent surmised that the preventative remedies were broader in their action and did not have to be as perfectly individualized as constitutional remedies. That is also why there may be more than one genus epidemicus remedy, especially in vastly different populations and environments during a global pandemic.
The preventative remedy is administered to individuals who face a clear and present danger from an epidemic disorder. In some ways the process is similar to a subclinical proving but the remedy is given to healthy persons as well those who are ill and at risk. One wants the remedy to be strong enough to help resist the disease but still produce no proving-like symptoms to appear.
The sensitivity and physical condition of individuals varies greatly. There is no "one size fits all" protocol that suits every individual all the time. A dose that will produce symptoms in a hypersensitive person will not be felt by a person who is hyposensitive. For this reason, wherever possible, it is best to begin the process of prophylaxis with a single test dose. Hahnemann recommended the 30c potency, which is an effective potency for general use.
If the genus epidemicus remedy produces an aggravation of any presiding symptoms, or noticeable new symptoms, the dose should be stopped immediately. This is a sign that the person has taken enough doses and needs no more of the remedy for the time being. Those that aggravate easily are often those who are most susceptible to the similar disease. In other words, when one is sensitive to the remedy they are potentially sensitive to the disease. They need the preventative remedy but only given in a single dose or infrequent repetitions. The dose should be adjusted in such a manner that it acts more gently if and when repeated. Homeopaths should stay aware of the situation and offer guidance when needed.
Those that show no appearance of symptoms after one week demonstrate moderate sensitivity. They may follow Hahnemann's suggestion to administer 1 dose a week of 30c for 3 weeks during the epidemic. If there is still a clear and present danger then the process can be repeated again. If there is any aggravation or proving-like symptoms during the remedy trial, the dose should be stopped. Traditionally it is opined that this phenomena shows that resistance to the target disease is established.
The CCRH recommends using 4 dry pills on 3 consecutive days and waiting for 1 month. The triple dry dose offers convenience when working in a mass public campaign where 10,000s of doses are being distributed. The preventative remedy works far more gently and effectively if the case management is individualized and the remedy is given in a remedy solution bottle (RSB). In this way the remedy bottle can be succussed prior to each administration to raise the potency and be given by spoonful or portions of a spoon. The advantage of the water dose method is explained in detail in the article Hahnemann's Advanced Methods, which is referenced below.
Candidates for Prevention
A person that is elderly and/or suffering a preexisting condition cannot be managed the same way as a relatively healthy younger person. For these reasons, one first has to decide if an elderly person with a preexisting condition is a candidate for a preventative remedy. They are in the high risk group but also have layers of pathology and compromised organs of elimination. Such a case should be attended by experienced homoeopaths with the cooperation of the orthodox medical system. Such situations are possible in India where there are medically trained homoeopathic physicians as well as sympathetic allopathic doctors.
Now the question for homoeopaths is what to do with their patients on constitutional remedies? Constitutional remedies increase resistance and vitality in a global manner. Many on constitutional treatment do not contract acute disorders, fevers, colds, influenza or respiratory complaints. One may continue with a constitutional remedy when the person is at a low risk and has no history of fevers and serious respiratory complaints. This is especially true when the remedy given constitutionally also addresses SARS-like symptoms like serious respiratory diseases, pneumonia, etc. If, however, an individual is on a constitutional remedy and still contracts fevers, colds, influenza and respiratory complaints requiring acute treatment, one may offer a specific prophylactic remedy.
One should consider taking Arsenicum 30c as a prophylactic remedy under the following conditions which present a clear and present danger.
- If the individual is elderly and at risk but are healthy enough to take a remedy.
- When travelling in areas with the virus.
- There are cases in your locality or in neighbouring localities.
- Those working in a high risk profession with mass social exposure like healthcare, public services, etc.
- Those in contact with a person with the virus or those close to a person with the virus.
Hygienic Measures
The preventative hygienic measures include social distancing, regular hand washing with soap and water, using hand sanitizers in public places and sanitizing highly contacted surfaces. This should be combined with not shaking hands, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoiding crowded public places and avoiding contact with those with fever or respiratory symptoms. It is important to eat a healthy diet, drink sufficient water and get some exercise. It is important at a time like this to avoid unnecessary stress and strain and take some time to relax the body and mind.
Ordinary face masks provide only limited protection from incoming infection. They do, however, help reduce the spread of infection from those with Coronavirus to others. They may also be useful for caregivers tending those who are ill. Those who are ill should impose self quarantine by staying home from work or school, avoid public places, wear a face mask and isolate themselves from people and animals in the home.
Resources
For information on Homeoprophylaxis please refer to Prevention and Treatment of Epidemic Diseases by Homoeopathy. This article contains a review of the history of preventative remedies and the experience of great homoeopaths.
For a detailed study of the history and preparation of the water dose and case management read Hahnemann's Advanced Methods:
For an in depth study of the complete practice of Homoeopathy, refer to The Homoeopathic Compendium, Volumes 1 to 6, by David Little.
Disclaimer: This information is supplied for educational purposes only. It is not for the treatment of any individual person or disease condition. If there is a possibility that you have acquired a Covid-19 infections call your doctor or emergency services for immediate help.