The coronavirus is a severe form of acute respiratory syndrome. The main symptoms of this virus include a dry cough, shortness of breath and fever. Further symptoms include joint pain, cold and flu symptoms, such as headache, muscle aches, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, and a runny nose. Diseases can develop into pneumonia and respiratory failure. 

COVID-19

What is a Virus?

A virus consists of small particles with genetic material, surrounded by protein that cannot reproduce on its own. The only way the virus reproduces is through a host/organism it infects. A virus affects multiple areas of the body such as the reproductive system, gastrointestinal system, and the respiratory system.

Viral infections are the rapid increase of virus cells within the host. The virus activates when it integrates its own genetic material into the cells of the host in order to reproduce; reproduction refers to infecting cells within the body. Therefore, viral illnesses immune responses due to the cell damage done. Viral infections can be contagious depending on the virus.

Pathway of the Coronavirus

As surprising as it sounds, the Coronavirus has an incubation period of around 20 days or more. The Virus begins by attacking the respiratory tract, specifically by the throat area. Some symptoms include a sore throat, fever and dry cough. Then, it migrates to the lungs and attacks certain cells with the alveoli of the lungs that creates an inflammatory response within the alveoli. The Alveoli are the sacs within the lungs which promotes the gaseous exchanges including carbon dioxide and oxygen. The immune responses worsen the damage done to the alveoli and compromises the organism’s ability to breathe. As a result of the damage in the alveoli, the Lungs lose their elasticity. This rigid form prevents a person from inhaling. 

The Virus in Acupuncture

Acupuncture keeps the body balanced for a strong immune system to face such viruses. For example, the San Jiao meridian, the lung meridian, the kidney meridian, the spleen and heart meridian in the body are affected by the Coronavirus. These are the main meridians affected that could transfer into other meridians in with father-son and mother-son relationships. The herb I recommend is the astragalus root which treats the Huang qi.

In the upcoming articles, I will be discussing the impact of the coronavirus on these specific meridians with Acupuncture.