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As Covid-19 cases fill the worlds hospitals, among the sickest and most likely to die are those whose bodies react in a signature, catastrophic way. Immune cells flood into the lungs and attack them, when they should be protecting them. Blood vessels leak, and the blood itself clots. Blood pressure plummets and organs start to fail.

Such cases, doctors and scientists increasingly believe, are due to an immune reaction gone overboard so that it harms instead of helps.

Normally, when the human body encounters a germ, the immune system attacks the invader and then stands down. But sometimes, that orderly army of cells wielding molecular weapons gets out of control, morphing from obedient soldiers into an unruly, torch and pitchfork-bearing mob. Though there are tests and treatments that could help to identify and tamp down this insurrection, its too early to be sure of the best course of therapy for those who are suffering a storm due to Covid-19.

Variants on this hyperactive immune reaction occur in an array of conditions, triggered by infection, faulty genes or autoimmune disorders in which the body thinks its own tissues are invaders. All fall under the umbrella term cytokine storm, named because substances called cytokines rampage through the bloodstream. These small proteins there are dozens are the immune armys messengers, transiting between cells with a variety of effects. Some ask for more immune activity; some request less.

Heres what scientists know about cytokine storms and the part they play in Covid-19.

Rising storm

When the cytokines that raise immune activity become too abundant, the immune system may not be able to stop itself. Immune cells spread beyond infected body parts and start attacking healthy tissues, gobbling up red and white blood cells and damaging the liver. Blood vessel walls open up to let immune cells into surrounding tissues, but the vessels get so leaky that the lungs may fill with fluid, and blood pressure drops. Blood clots form throughout the body, further choking the blood flow. When organs dont get enough blood, a person can go into shock, risking permanent organ damage or death.

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Most patients experiencing a storm will have a fever, and about half will have some nervous system symptoms, such as headaches, seizures or even a coma, says Randy Cron, a paediatric rheumatologist and immunologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and co-editor of the 2019 textbook Cytokine Storm Syndrome. They tend to be sicker than you expect, he says.

Doctors are only now coming to understand cytokine storms and how to treat them, he adds. Though theres no failsafe diagnostic test, there are signs that a storm may be underway. For example, blood levels of the protein ferritin may rise, as may blood concentrations of the inflammation indicator C-reactive protein, which is made by the liver.

The first hints that severe Covid-19 cases included a cytokine storm came out of Chinese hospitals near the outbreaks epicentre. Physicians in Wuhan, in a study of 29 patients, reported that higher levels of the cytokines IL-2R and IL-6 were found in more severe Covid-19 infections.

Excerpt from:
Cytokine storms: When the body attacks itself - BBC News

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted millions of lives and most of us are coming to grip with the new normal of social isolation, self quarantining, home schooling, and working (or not working) from home.In her recent Harvard Medical School article, Dr. Uma Naidoo, discusses how healthy eating can reduce anxiety and boost your immune system during these uncertain times.

The negative effects of stress on the immune system are well known. Dr. Naidoo explains, the unfortunate reality is that stress worsens feelings of low mood or angst, and it also suppresses our immune systems. Therefore, targeting immune-boosting foods will have a dual effect you may feel less anxious and boost your immunity.

She recommends choosing the following immune boosting foods:

These healthy immune-boosting foods are also better for your waistline than your typical overly-processed comfort foods such as chips, baked foods or candy.Dr. Naidoo suggests we control our environments.If there isnt junk food in the cabinet, we cant eat it. We all have to eat, so attending to our nutrition is something we can all control, and then reap the benefits of an improved mood, boosted immunity, and a healthy weight.

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Countries around the world may be imposing more and more collective measures to guard their people against the novel coronavirus, but what we do individually, especially in terms of upping our own bodies' defenses, is also of vital importance. Meanwhile, having a healthy and balanced diet and eating adequately from all food groups also plays a key role in a strong immune system.

Eating only certain types of food and having a diet that lacks in color, literally, can possibly be the worst thing you can do right now, according to nutrition and dietary specialist Aye Sena Binz from Acbadem Kozyata Hospital.

A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is of great importance for a strong immune system. Besides, it is crucial to have home-cooked foods, choose seasonal fruits and vegetables and cook meals at home to ensure food hygiene," she says, stressing that these are the points people usually don't pay enough attention to when consuming food, which could be all the difference our bodies need to fight COVID-19.

Binz says there are a number of eating habits that leave our immune system, and thus us, vulnerable to the coronavirus. Here are the top 10 we must avoid:

Mistake No. 1: Skipping breakfast

In order to meet your daily energy and protein needs, you should not be skipping main meals, while elevenses or snacks in between should also be indispensable for our diet, Binz says. Skipping breakfast "the most important meal of the day" may increase the amount you eat in other meals, leading to blood sugar imbalances.

Your body's resistance also drops when hungry, she said, suggesting adding egg as a quality source of protein to your breakfast every day. "Its high iron and vitamin A content will help support your immune system."

Eggs should be paired with rich Vitamin C sources such as greens, peppers and oranges to help the absorption of iron, she added.

Mistake No. 2: Neglecting snacks

Be sure to have some lighter meals and snacks in between main meals to maintain blood sugar balance, control appetite and meet daily nutritional requirements. Snacks such as fruit and yogurt/milk/kefir or fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts or multi-grain bread and cheese can help increase body resistance by providing protein, vitamin/mineral and fiber balance.

Mistake No. 3: Eating the same things

Say no to the monotone diet. By eating adequate amounts and combining different types of food, we increase their availability in our body. Noting that the protein, vitamin and mineral content of each food is different, Binz said: "We need to make sure that our meals contain high-quality protein, iron and zinc from sources such as meat, chicken, fish and eggs; whole-grain products and legumes with high fiber and vitamin B content; fruits and vegetables with high antioxidant content; and oilseeds such as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, which are great sources of omega-3 and omega-6."

Mistake No. 4: Not drinking enough

Drinking an adequate amount of water is essential for digestion, the absorption of nutrients, getting rid of harmful waste from the body and other metabolic events. Our body actually needs 30 milliliters of water per kilogram of our weight (or about half an ounce per pound) daily, Binz pointed out.

Constipation, which can develop in the intestines as a result of inadequate water intake, can negatively affect intestinal health, which directly affects the immune system. For this reason, water consumption should be distributed in a balanced manner around the clock to suit the individual's needs, she added.

She also warned that the temperature of the water you drink was also another factor that could do more harm than good, especially when it comes to hot water. People tend to think that the viruses might die if they drink hot enough water, but this will only damage the throat and oral mucosa, she said, adding that lukewarm is the way to go.

Mistake No. 5: Overdoing it on pickles

Probiotic foods such as yogurt, kefir and homemade pickles are highly beneficial for the intestinal flora, which helps bolster our body resistance by strengthening our immune system.

However, overdoing it on the pickles, and consuming it in excessive amounts in hopes that it will destroy the virus will cause harm, she cautioned.

It should be remembered that the amount of salt in pickled products harms the lining of the stomach. Consuming a lot of such foods can cause health problems in people with chronic diseases (such as hypertension and heart disease) and weaken the immune system, she said.

Consuming foods such as bananas, apples, artichokes, celery, asparagus, onions, garlic, leeks, legumes, whole grains, flaxseed, almonds and walnuts can increase the effect of probiotics, and therefore help strengthen the immune system, she added.

Mistake No. 6: Pastries and desserts, all day every day

Consuming simple carbohydrates that do not contain fiber such as packaged foods, cakes, candies and pastries disrupts our blood sugar balance. Only providing satiety for a short amount of time, these types of foods can make us eat more in our next meal and cause us to gain unhealthy weight due to their high-calorie content. At the same time, since they do get in the way of meeting our daily protein, vitamin/mineral needs, they can negatively affect our immune functions. To bolster your immunity, consume foods that contain healthy carbohydrates such as vitamin B and fiber-rich whole-grain bread, bulgur, soup and other whole-grain foods, Binz says.

Mistake No. 7: Not consuming enough protein

Protein is vital for building and repairing tissues and fighting viral and bacterial infections. Low protein intake can cause our immune system to weaken while consuming far too much can cause kidney problems such as kidney stones.

Mistake No. 8: Too little or too much vitamin C

Vitamin C plays an important role in protecting the body from infections. Since vitamin C cannot be stored by the body, make sure to regularly consume citrus fruits, greens, peppers, kiwi and tomatoes. However, using vitamin C supplements without medical supervision could also do harm, and cause kidney stones. Try to get your vitamin C from foods, instead of relying on outside sources.

Mistake No. 9: Ignoring food-prep advice

Binz says it is essential that you pay attention to how your meals are prepared to ensure their nutritional value is preserved. For example, due to the sensitive nature of vitamin C (sensitive to heat, light and oxygen), she says fruits and vegetables should be consumed as soon as possible, without cutting them up with a metal knife as much as possible. Ideally, they should be added in the last possible minute before serving. She adds that a portion of the vitamins in fruits and veggies usually get lost during the cooking stage so it's important not to overcook.

Mistake #10: Eating raw and undercooked foods

On that note, there are certain foods that definitely should not be undercooked or consumed raw. For the bacteria to die while cooking varieties of meat, their internal temperature must be 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) and above. It is very important that meat is cooked well because uncooked meat can put food safety at risk with bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella, she noted. Similarly, consuming well-boiled or fried eggs not only allows us to benefit from their vitamin and protein content but also prevents the formation of bacteria.

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10 nutritional mistakes that weaken your immune system | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah

Written in response to the letter Social distancing should be reduced during offseason. Id like to start by agreeing that there are many unknowns about this virus. What we do know from biology is that our immune systems are built and strengthened by interaction with the environment around us. How is isolation affecting our immune systems? Are they being strengthened or weakened? Between reduced day-to-day interaction with the environment and other people, compounded by the stresses of secondary impacts (increases in depression, domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, financial, etc.) how strong are immune systems expected to be after six to eight weeks of staying at home?

Typically during a pandemic, the response is to quarantine the sick. In this case, we have been quarantining the healthy, as well. While this was an appropriate response in the absence of data at the start of the outbreak, now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some baseline on the infection and morbidity rates of this particular strain of crown virus, does this strategy continue to make sense? The longer this goes on, the deeper the sense of fear being instilled. This is not about personal inconvenience. Rather, it is about the overall well-being of everyone in our community.

Yes, we are beginning to relax, just a tiny bit. Again, the next five weeks present an opportunity to reengage even a little more in a mindful way that helps build our immune systems and begins to mitigate the wide range (and in many cases, long-term) secondary impacts of closing down the county.

Current limitations/requirements for many businesses such as personal services (especially spa, salons, yoga studios) food services, retail and day care are restrictive to the point that some business owners may not even open. This would be sad.

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Letter to the editor: Social distancing could be hurting our immune systems - Summit Daily News

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published: May 7, 2020 4:40:48 pm These traditional immunity boosters can be extremely helpful. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock Images)

For a strong immune system, the body requires energy and nutrients. This depends on what an individual consumes regularly. Moreover, it is important to understand that strong immunity is not built overnight, but by religiously consuming healthy food that has high nutritional value. The immune system protects the body from any kind of bacterial or viral infections by preventing them from invading our bodies. Thus a stronger immune system is an essential means of fighting bacterial or any other viral infections.

In addition to a balanced diet, include these traditional immunity bosting potions, suggests Anushka Baindur, senior dietician, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore:

* Golden milk/ turmeric milk: Turmeric has a component called curcumin that can repair cell damage, and fight disease and infection.

* Tulsi tea: It has essential oils that help relieve symptoms of respiratory infections like cold, cough and congestion.

* Moringa soup: Moringa leaves are rich in iron and vitamin A, both required to keep the immune system strong.

* Spice concoction: Make a spice concoction or kashaya or kadha with cumin, fennel seeds, black pepper, and cinnamon that helps with symptoms of cold and cough.

Ever since the coronavirus outbreak has taken over our lives, a lot of nutritionists have shared recipes for immunity-boosting drinks. Heres one that you can try:

Ingredients

*Pinch of ginger*Pepper*Turmeric*Cinnamon*Cloves*500ml Water*Honey, if needed

Method

* Boil all the ingredients together until the water is reduced to half. Switch off the flame. Sieve it. Add organic honey if you like and drink.

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Turn to these traditional immunity boosters for better health - The Indian Express

Eating the right foods not only helps improve your mood, but it can also aid in boosting your immune system. A strong immune function fights off infection and health problems that can escalate with stress.

Dr. Taz Bhatia, an immune support and wellness physician, says a healthy immune system begins in our gut. The gut actually is 75% of your immune system. The majority of the immune fighting antibodies we need are made in the gut, so what we eat definitely matters. Its important to note that no research has been done on foods that help fight against COVID-19 specifically, but these eight expert-approved foods can improve your overall health.

Fatty fishes like salmon, tuna and mackerel are high in Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which help control inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can weaken and disrupt the function of our immune systems.

Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory properties. It brings inflammation down, even inflammation when it pertains to your brain, explains Bhatia. You can add turmeric as a spice to your food or take it as a tea. Bhatia suggests adding a little honey to your turmeric tea for a tasty, healthy anti-inflammatory drink.

Kale boosts our immune system because it has two critical ingredients: fiber and antioxidants, specifically vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight off things like the cold and even the flu. says Bhatia.

Guava is that surprise fruit that you never think about, says Bhatia. Guava has one of the highest vitamin C concentrations of most citrus fruits. Yes, even oranges. Vitamin C can help fight common bacterial and fungal infections.

Red bell peppers have a ton of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. Bhatia suggests adding them raw to a salad or roasting them. Theyre going to help keep your immune system primed by providing the oxygen your cells need to fight off viruses and bacteria, she explains.

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Green chilies are also chock-full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals (compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high) in our bodies. Eating them raw is the trick here, says Bhatia. It helps not only improve your metabolism and kind of get everything humming and active again, but also provides a nice antioxidant burst.

Tomatoes have many uses but their magic ingredient is something called lycopene, says Bhatia. Lycopene is a natural pigment that gives some vegetables and fruits its red color. Lycopene plays a role in something called cytokine storm, which is when your immune system goes haywire and needs to be shut down, she explains.

Oranges absolutely make the list because theyre rich in vitamin C, which may increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections. It actually doesn't have as much sugar as many people think, Bhatia says. So go ahead and have at least an orange a day.

For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDCs and WHOs resource guides.

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These 8 foods will boost your immune system and overall health - Yahoo News

BORIS Johnson is set to address the nation on Sunday with a roadmap for how to tweak the current lockdown measures.

Andthe plans could include a possible return to the workplace, with face masks made compulsory and a potential ban on hot-desking amid the coronavirus pandemic.

1

However, while we've all been looking forward to this, there's no doubt people will be feeling wary about heading out on their commute and into offices again.

But there are some steps everyone can take to get control over their health before returning to work.

Here, with the help of some top experts, we take you through some tips for boosting your immunity before resuming 'normal' life...

The gyms may be shut - but dont let that discourage you from getting your exercise in.

As Clarissa Lenherrr, Nutritionist at Bioniq, says: "Exercise promotes blood circulation, and mobilises antibodies, and white blood cells which are responsible for detecting and attacking bacteria and viruses."

According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people who exercise five or more days a week spend 46 per cent fewer days laid up with a cold or respiratory virus compared to those who work out only once a week or not at all.

Not only that, but fitter people also experience less severe symptoms when they do get a cold, and they recover more quickly.

Exercise promotes blood circulation and mobilises antibodies

The NHS suggests that adults should be physically active in some way every day and should engage in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity.

This could include, gardening, brisk walking, swimming, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity e.g. running, dancing, spinning.

If you dont want to leave the house, check out some online classes that you can do in the comfort of your own home - there's plenty available online.

We recommend Psycle'sInstagram Live fitness classes - which includeabs blast sessions, revival yoga, HIIT, barre and meditation.

Staying hydrated supports your bodys ability to eliminate toxins and waste materials, which is vital for a strong immune system.

Clarissa says: "I would recommend avoiding too many caffeinated drinks, as these may lead to increased toilet trips and potentially dehydration!

"Aim for 1.5-2 litres of water every day and if you are craving something warm, reach for herbal teas such as lemon and ginger, not only will this help to ease any discomfort you might be feeling, but is can also reduce inflammation that causes cold symptoms."

Whilst we can try to provide our body with everything it needs to keep our immune system healthy, its not always possible.

As Clarissa says: "Supplementing alongside a healthy diet can give your immune system a helping hand."

Vitamin D contributes to immune system strength, and during lockdown, when we're stuck inside for a lot of the day our vitamin D levels can be at risk of depletion.

This is because one of our main sources of vitamin D comes from sun exposure.

Supplementing alongside a healthy diet can give your immune system a helping hand

Health chiefs issued an update on the Public Health England website saying that during coronavirus lockdown, people should take a vitamin D supplement to compensate for the lack of sunshine.

We also recommend trying Pure Sport'sImmunity Booster Pack - a unique product containingTurmeric, Ginger, Black Pepper, CBD - known for boosting the immune system and keeping the body fighting fit.

Each ingredient has beencarefully measured to give the exact dosage needed to get the most out of these ingredients.

The pack includes their 3000mg Tincture & 1500mg Ginger, Turmeric & CBD capsules - designed to keep body & mind at ease and immune system functioning at its absolute best.

What's the recommended daily dose of vitamin D?

Public Health England is recommending Brits to consider taking vitamin D supplements due to the lockdown.

Although they are very safe, taking more than the recommended amount every day can be dangerous in the long run.

Below are the recommended daily doses depending on age:

You may want to swerve those 'Zoom Happy Hours' and put your Quarantinis to one side.

This is becauseheavy drinking is known to deplete our immune cells.

Jane Clarke, Dietician and Founder of Nourish, says: "While the occasional glass of alcohol shouldnt affect your immunity too much, heavy drinking has been shown to impact on immune cells in two ways.

"It can make microphages, our first line of defence, less effective. And if bugs do pass through that barrier, we need lymphocytes our infection-fighting white blood cells to continue the battle.

"Unfortunately, excess alcohol seems to reduce numbers of lymphocytes in our body."

Eating plenty of fruit and veg every day can work wonders for your immune system.

Jane says: "One reason fruit and vegetables are so loved by nutritionists is that theyre packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for the bodys immune system to function effectively.

Theyre packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for the bodys immune system

"The best approach is to include fresh fruit and vegetables as part of your daily diet.

"If eating a lot of fibre is an issue, then try cooking them to make them easier to digest. Soups are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre."

Evidence suggests that lack of sleep can make us more vulnerable to bugs, so getting those zzzzs in are crucial to boosting immunity.

Jane says: "Fluctuating blood sugar levels can disrupt sleep patterns, so try to eat regular smaller meals or sip a Nourish Drink between meals for sustained energy throughout the day.

"A starchy evening meal also seems to help the body wind down at the end of the day, so youre more likely to fall asleep at a reasonable time.

"A glass of warmed milk or Nourish Drink is an excellent pre-bed soother, or try our recipe for Lavender Milk."

With lockdown restrictions, financial fears and health concerns causing constant worries its no surprise many people are feeling stressed during the coronavirus outbreak.

However, stress can suppress the immune system and make you more vulnerable to infection, according to experts.

Researchhas found that stress causes a release of the hormone cortisol, which can boostinflammation, a precursor to many diseases, in your body.

Chronic stressmay also interferewith the infection-fighting ability of your white blood cells, making you more susceptible to contracting illnesses.

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Dr Jenna Macciochi, one of the UK's leading Immunologists, said: "Stress is one of the major contributors to an unbalancedimmunesystemand susceptibility to infections.

"Its important to try and reduce as much as you can through breathing techniques or just taking a moment to have a good cuppa."

Also, try to do some exercise to boost mood and circulation each day by creating a mini routine and find something fun that keeps you fit and active that makes you feel better.

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The 7 ways to boost your immune system before returning to work - The Sun

Adaptive Biotechnologies(NASDAQ:ADPT) has begun a virtual clinical study to map the immune responses of people who have contracted COVID-19 or who are likely to have. Working withMicrosoft(NASDAQ:MSFT),Illumina(NASDAQ:ILMN), andLabCorp(NYSE:LH), the biotech company is collecting blood samples from people in 24 U.S. cities that have been hard hit by the disease.

Currently, there are two types of tests for COVID-19. The first are PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which reveal whether a person is currently infected.These tests are based on the DNA of the coronavirus, and all researchers need is a nose or throat swab from the patient to run them.

The second type is a serology test: Using a sample of the patient's blood, this will look for the presence of specific antibodies that are generated by the immune system in response to SARS-CoV-2. Unlike a PCR test, serology tests will reveal people who have recovered from COVID-19 and no longer have active infections.

Image source: Getty Images

Adaptive Bio is creating an even more specific test that will detect the presence of T cells (white blood cells that bind to and kill infected cells). Then, working with Illumina and Microsoft, the company will use machine learning to map the genomes of all the immune receptors responding to SARS-CoV-2.

This mapping is similar to what scientists did with the human genome two decades ago. Those scientists had to sequence 30,000 genes, compared to the millions of genes Adaptive is mapping.

The ImmuneRace study will be a real-world test of whether Adaptive Bio can successfully map our immune response to a new and dangerous disease. As of noon Wednesday, the company's stock was up 1.9%.

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Adaptive Biotechnologies and Microsoft Announce New Study of COVID-19 Immune Response - Motley Fool

Suzy Cohen, Columnist Published 5:02 a.m. ET May 4, 2020

The immune system is a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to keep us healthy by defending the body against harmful invaders.(Photo: iStock)

People are starting to think outside the pill as they shelter-in-place and look online for herbs and vitamins that support immune function.As consumers become savvier about natural plant-based medicine, we are seeing increasing interest in one herb called Andrographis.

More: Ask the Pharmacist: How to make your own hand sanitizer

Research articles typically refer to one of its biologically active constitutes called andrographolide. This is an extracted natural compound from the leaves and stem of Andrographis paniculata. Its one of many compounds that has a medicinal action on the body.

Andrographolide has many powerful actions on the human body and may help cardiovascular conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension. This cluster of problems is sometimes called metabolic syndrome.

Andrographis is used widely overseas for a variety of conditions, but especially those of the upper respiratory tract. For example, Andrographis is commonly given to people who suffer with respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza, sore throats, acute and chronic cough conditions, sinusitis, bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infections with fever. Here in the US, pharmaceuticals are typically used for these conditions, either to treat the infection, or as an adjunctive. Thats why youve probably never heard of Andrographis until today.

That said, if you have Lyme, you may have heard of this before because Lyme doctors should know about Andrographis. Its an herb that can be used to target and destroy the causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi and in my opinion, it probably works better than cats claw.

Today, Id like to share some findings about Andrographis. It is sold over-the-counter however, ask your doctor if this is something you should take for your individual concerns. Im not a doctor so I cannot advise. Furthermore, I am not suggesting this as a treatment for COVID-19 or any coronavirus.

Studies done on animals suggest that Andrographis might help with brain inflammation such as encephalitis. In one study, andrographolide improved synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex (in animals) and down-regulated the expression of genes that were causing harm.

In other words, andrographolide helped ameliorate symptoms of brain damage in rodents.

Can it do that in humans? No one can say but getting into the brain is a big deal. A recent study on this herb found that it could produce some anxiolytic effects on the brain, but it was in combination with ashwagandha. That means it has some activity on GABA receptors and therefore, your sleep cycle. The adaptogenic potential of andrographis suggests that it knows what to do in the body and can regulate physiological responses by turning them up or down, depending on what your body needs. Thats how adaptogens work.

There are over two dozen species of andrographis, and only a some have useful medicinal properties. I have a longer version of this article listing more benefits. You can get it if you sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com Andrographis is sold in dietary supplements nationwide and online. It comes in various forms. Again, I must ask you to refer to your practitioner to see if its right for you.

More: Ask the Pharmacist: Skullcap root holds promise for immunity and sleep

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. The information presented here is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any condition. Visit SuzyCohen.com.

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Ask the Pharmacist: Immune system benefits of Andrographis - Marco News

It is possible that the immune systems of babies born to mothers with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have the capacity to kill off the virus during gestation. This may be why only 5% of infants born to women with the virus are themselves born infected.

These theories are put forth in a new paper published in Gut by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

The study authors studied 55 pregnant women at a maternity hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia. Forty of them had an active HCV infection, and the remainder had antibodies to the virus but no active infection.

Three of the babies born to the women with active infection were infected with hep C.

The investigators monitored the infants through 18 months of age, taking routine blood samples. They also included samples from 18 other infants who had been infected with HCV at birth.

It turned out that both the babies who had hep C at birth and those that were exposed to the virus in utero but tested negative at birth had certain changes in their adaptive immune systemsspecifically, adaptations in their B lymphocytes. These immune cells produce antibodies that can identify and root out foreign pathogens.

The immune system of the healthy babies shows similar changes to that in babies infected with hepatitis C, study author Niklas Bjrkstrm, a doctor and researcher at the department of medicine at the Karolinska Institute, said in a press release. This could suggest that the immune cells have encountered the virus in the womb and managed to eliminate it before birth.

A possible explanation is that most babies exposed to the virus in utero manage to deal with it, which we can later see by the B lymphocytes, Bjrkstrm continued. One interesting hypothesis is that these cells can contain novel information that we can use to protect ourselves against hepatitis C in the future.

To read a press release about the study, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.

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Infant Immune System May Kill Hepatitis C While in Utero - Hep Treatment News

Some people may develop severe COVID-19 because of how their immune systems respond to the coronavirus, according to scientists who used a mathematical model to map how our bodies interact with the bug.

The team, from the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, suggest drugs that suppress the immune system may help prevent people who catch the coronavirus from becoming seriously ill, but state more research is needed to explore this idea.

More than 3.5 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic started late last year, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than one million people are known to have recovered, and 247,630 people have died.

In the latest study, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, the team created a mathematical model to look at two different approaches the body can take to tackling invaders like the coronavirus: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Our innate immunity is not specific to a certain pathogen, and includes parts of the body like the skin, mucous membranes, and some white blood cells. In contrast, our adaptive immunity is built up by the body against a specific intruder, after we are infected.

According to the researchers, a "mismatch" between when each immune response kicks in may affect the severity of COVID-19.

When creating the model, the team took into account factors such as which cells are susceptible to being infected by SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), how the virus replicates in the body, how infected cells respond, and how the immune system tries to clear the virus.

SARS-CoV-2 invades and kills specific cells in the respiratory system. The team believes that as the disease progresses relatively slowly, it does not kill all the cells it can target when it first infects a person. This slow burn allows new target cells vulnerable to the virus to develop.

That means adaptive immunity starts up, but peaks before levels of the virus have reached their height and SARS-CoV-2 has killed all the cells it can target. This enables the bug to keep on invading cells, and prevents the innate immune response from killing it off.

Sean Du, adjunct researcher at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and lead author of the study, said in a statement this may explain why some patients with COVID-19 see their symptoms improve before their condition then gets worse.

"It's possible that the combined effect of the adaptive and the innate immune responses may reduce the virus to a low level temporarily. However, if the virus is not completely cleared, and the target cells regenerate, the virus can take hold again and reach another peak."

However, the team cautioned that as there is relatively little experimental data available on SARS-CoV-2, their research is "based on our best assumptions and observations."

Study co-author Weiming Yuan said in a statement that as the virus is active in the body for a long period of time, the immune system may overact and trigger what is known as a cytokine storm.

Cytokines are proteins that the immune system creates. A cytokine storm happens when these proteins are created at such a high level that the body attacks its own healthy cells. This causes tissue damage, said Yuan.

The pair suggest giving patients drugs that suppress the immune system early on in the disease could help prevent them from becoming seriously ill. The team hope their study will prompt more research on this question.

"Based on the results of the mathematical modeling, we proposed a counterintuitive idea that a short regimen of a proper immunosuppressant drug applied early in the disease process may improve a patient's outcome," Du said in a statement.

"With the right suppressive agent, we may be able to delay the adaptive immune response and prevent it from interfering with the innate immune response, which enables faster elimination of the virus and the infected cells."

The authors noted that as they were working on their mathematical model, a separate team of researchers released a pre-print study involving 46 COVID-19 patients on the website medRxiv that mirrored their findings.

This team found taking drugs known as corticosteroidswhich reduce immune system activityearly on in the disease seemed to help people recover faster. This paper has not been through the rigorous peer review process required to publish in scientific journals, so findings should be taken with caution. Releasing studies this way enables scientists to prompt debate on a topic and are particularly useful during a fast-moving situation like a pandemic.

The anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have also been explored as potential treatments for coronavirus infection because they have a "potent" effect on the body's immune response. But, these drugs may in fact dampen the body's natural immune response, warned the authors of an article published in FASEBJournal.

Danny Altmann, professor of Immunology at Imperial College London and spokesman for the British Society for Immunology, who did not work on the study, commented on the research into the immune response to COVID-19.

He told Newsweek predictions made through mathematical modeling always have the potential to inform us of what the immune response may be. This is particularly important when scientists are racing to understand the body's immune response to the coronavirus, he said.

"The value of mathematical predictions is in their ability to inform directions in empirical lab studies," he said. "As the model suggests, some parts of the immune response may indeed be pathogenic through their excessive damage either through cytokine storm or inflammatory tissue damage in the lung."

The Statista chart below shows the countries with most COVID-19 cases.

Hygiene advice

Medical advice

Mask and glove usage

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Some COVID-19 Patients May Get Seriously Ill Because of the Timing of Their Immune Response, Study Suggests - Newsweek

LOS ANGELES A new research study out of the University of Southern California reveals how an irregular immune response to the COVID-19 infection can lead to some of the more severe symptoms seen in coronavirus patients.

Researchers used mathematical modeling to simulate the immune response to a coronavirus infection. They found that suppressing the immune system during the early stages of theinfection might help patients avoid the severe symptoms.

When a person is infected with a virus the body deploys its first line of defense the innate immune response. This stage of defense targets the virus and any cells damaged by the virus and kills off as much as it can. If there is any virus remaining after a few days the body calls on its adaptive immune response. This stage of defense uses special types of cells T cells and B cells to target and kill the rest of the virus and infected cells.

This strategy of immune response is typically very effective. When someone gets infected with the flu,the virus acts quickly to attack and destroy infected cells in the upper respiratory system. These cells are killed off within a couple of days, so the innate immune response focuses on clearing the body of any flu virus left in the body before the adaptive response is activated.

The time-course of COVID-19 makes this immune response strategy ineffective, and quite possibly counterproductive. The coronavirus has an incubation period of about 6 days, so the innate immune response does not have time to clear away the virus before the adaptive immune response is activated. This slows the progress of the disease, and the adaptive immune response is put into overdrive trying to fight the virus.

Professor Weiming Yuan, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and co-corresponding author of the study comments on the risks of a hyperactive adaptive immune response, in a release. The danger is, as the infection keeps going on, it will mobilize the whole of the adaptive immune response with its multiple layers. This longer duration of viral activity may lead to an overreaction of the immune system, called a cytokine storm, which kills healthy cells, causing tissue damage.

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The authors suggest that the timing of the immune responses might also explain why some people infected with COVID-19 experience the disease in two separate waves.

Some COVID-19 patients may experience a resurgence of the disease after an apparent easing of symptoms, says lead author Sean Du. Its possible that the combined effect of the adaptive and the innate immune responses may reduce the virus to a low level temporarily. However, if the virus is not completely cleared, and the target cells regenerate, the virus can take hold again and reach another peak.

The researchers use the results of their mathematical models to offer a new strategy for combating the virus.

Based on the results of the mathematical modeling, we proposed a counterintuitive idea that a short regimen of a proper immunosuppressant drug applied early in the disease process may improve a patients outcome, says Du. With the right suppressive agent, we may be able to delay the adaptive immune response and prevent it from interfering with the innate immune response, which enables faster elimination of the virus and the infected cells.

Researchers hope to validate their mathematical models by using daily measurements of viral load and other biomarkers in patients infected with COVID-19. Also, preclinical research needs to be conducted to test the effectiveness of the immunosuppressant treatment strategy. The mathematical models indicate that this is an effective strategy, but we need hard science to back this up.

The study is published inThe Journal of Medical Virology.

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Study: Coronavirus Severity Can Be Weakened By Suppressing The Immune System - Study Finds

Vaccines can be made to combat bacteria (like pneumococcus, a bacteria species that is the leading cause of pneumonia) and viruses (like measles, the most infectious disease known). A vaccine may use either attenuated (weakened) strains of the bacteria or virus, or purified structures of the bacteria or virus. By being primed against the invader, the body is ready to respond in the case of actual exposure to infection. Both types can provide long-lasting protection from infection. Although most vaccines are for infections that, if survived, the body has immunity to, some vaccines provide immunity to an infection that even survivors do not develop immunity to. One example is tetanus.

Vaccines teach the immune system how to make antibodies to a particular infection, and may also stimulate the cellular immune system. The way this works is complicated, and physicians spend months learning how the immune system works and how vaccines interact with the immune system. By contrast, vaccine scientists spend years or decades learning in great detail how to make safe and effective vaccines.

At the time I write this, I know of many different teams trying heroically to develop a safe and effective vaccine against coronavirus. A vaccine could prevent millions of deaths. As a provider on the front line of taking care of these patients, I cannot express how much I look forward to a vaccine. As a person in their 80s, you should, too.

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Let go of negative childhood experiences and get vaccinated - STLtoday.com

Youre probably familiar with your immune system your physiological immune system, that is. Its the one that sends white blood cells to dispatch with pathogens. But what about your psychological immune system? This is an especially important idea to think about now, in the time of COVID-19 and social distancing.

The term psychological immune system was coined by psychologists Daniel Gilbert, who is probably best known for his book Stumbling on Happiness, and Timothy D. Wilson, who is known for his research on self-knowledge. But the basic concept goes back to Sigmund Freud and his ideas regarding defense mechanisms, which were elaborated on by his daughter, Anna Freud, in her book, Ego and Mechanisms of Defense. In fact, ego defense is, at least for our purposes, a mechanism to protect the self, or self-image, from whatever threatens it.

A good way to think about the psychological immune system is provided by Emily Rosenzweig, senior behavioral scientist at Ochsner Health, a nonprofit academic health care system in Louisiana: A range of mental processes triggered by a threat to our sense of self-esteem, self-worth and self-concept.

What can threaten a persons self-image, or their self-worth? How about being referred to as a nonessential worker?

What can threaten a persons self-image or self-worth? Heres an example: being referred to as a nonessential worker and told to stay home, losing a significant amount of income in the process.

Heres where you can use your psychological immune system to help. You can tell yourself that you are valuable to society, the current pandemic situation is temporary and the lives of many others are diminished, even if just a little bit, by your absence.

You should also admit to yourself that people can still live meaningful lives without you, and thats OK, too. It doesnt diminish your value as a human being.

Positive self-talk can be quite helpful. However, dont overdo it.

For example, you wouldnt want to tell yourself that without you being there, the lives of others are completely devoid of meaning and those people are just miserable. Knowing thats probably untrue would likely make you feel worse.

Theres a sweet spot, says Rosenzweig. But, she adds, you cant deny existing negative emotions. If you try to completely obliterate those negative emotions, however, youll probably wind up feeling worse as your brain produces counterarguments that undo your attempts to make yourself feel better.

We are committed to reliable reporting on the risks of the coronavirus and steps you can take to benefit you, your loved ones and others in your community. Read Next Avenues Coronavirus Coverage.

Being aware of your psychological immune system means youll be better able to recognize when it kicks in.

Think about the coping mechanisms you use in a stressful situation or when dealing with the difficulties life throws at you. Do you feel better when you pour yourself a glass of wine or three? Do you avoid dealing with things by binge watching Netflix?

Avoidance is one of your psychological immune systems tactics, even though it may not be good for you in the long run. Like your physiological immune system, your psychological immune system can opt for the short-term fix over long-term wellness.

Not that drinking one glass of wine or watching two episodes of your favorite show are counterproductive. We all need some downtime. Both are easy to overdo, however, and that undermines the effectiveness of your psychological immune system.

So, what can you do to bolster optimal functionality of your psychological immune system?

First of all, you need to feel motivated.

Dr. John Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the bestselling book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, has a suggestion: Exercise.

Exercise reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes a better mood all factors that go into motivation, Ratey says.

Of course, you also need to feel motivated to exercise and in the tug-of-war between staying fit and Netflix, that motivation can be hard to come by.

Ratey suggests doing something easy, like going for a walk every day, preferably outside, even if its just a short walk.

Cant go outside? Theres an app for that. Ratey suggests downloading the free 7 Minute Workout app on your phone. Its all bodyweight exercises, and it activates all major muscle groups. There are many other workout apps you could try as well.

Theres also something you can do to maximize the effectiveness of exercise, at least when it comes to your brain and your psychological immune system: Use exercise to help you turn goal-directed behaviors into healthier new habits while making progress towards your goals.

Having a goal is a good way to motivate yourself, but also a way to focus on those behaviors you need to make progress towards that goal.

For example, getting out of debt and becoming financially solvent requires a series of smaller steps to achieve. A good first step in that direction is to create a household budget, which is something you can work on a bit each day while social distancing.

Heres how exercise fits in: Stress can impair your ability to undertake goal-directed behaviors by making you fall back on normal habits. If your habits are binge-watching Netflix, drinking alcohol or eating cereal late at night, stress may reinforce those less-than-ideal behaviors.

But exercise reduces stress and increases motivation. So, its a behavior you might undertake to achieve the goal of better cardiovascular fitness, losing weight or both. In that way, its a goal-directed behavior all by itself. But exercising will also help you stay motivated and focused on your other goal-directed behaviors, by reducing stress and increasing motivation.

Stephen L. Antczak is a freelance writer, specializing in articles about money, work, volunteering, education and aging.

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Your Brain Has an Immune System, and You Can Boost It - Next Avenue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT/WYMT) As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep the globe and death tolls keeps increasing, miraculous stories of survival are coming to light as well.

A Berea native who currently lives in Florida is currently fighting the disease and spoke to sister-station WKYT about her experience and how it changed her life.

"I feel like I am a walking miracle," says Kendra Wiggins.

Weeks following her diagnosis, she is now on the road to recovery.

As part of her effort, she signed up for an experimental double-blind drug trial after her diagnosis.

"It was just like breath in, cough, breath in, cough, that I couldn't get enough oxygen out," she says. "I took the 80 percent chance that I would get medication over the 20 percent chance that I wouldn't because with that 20 percent chance I still had what I thought was 50-50 with a ventilator."

The trial was for a drug known as Kevzara- typically used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and consisted of three groups; some received a full dose, others received a half dosage, and the third group was given a placebo instead of the actual drug.

"I woke up about a half an hour into the medication with the worst heartburn ever. It was terrible. And all I could do was say 'Praise the Lord I got the real medication! If this had been saline, I wouldn't have felt anything, so I was so excited that I had heartburn. Never been excited for heartburn in my life," says Wiggins.

Wiggins says the treatment saved her life, and she hopes her experience will give hope to future COVID patients.

"Flattening the curve gave the medical community a chance to have guinea pigs, she says. I signed up willingly to be a human guinea pig and the information that they got from me is going to benefit you or someone you know."

Read more here:
Rheumatoid arthritis drug may have helped Kentucky native recover from COVID-19 - WYMT News

While the COVID-19 pandemic dominates the headlines and, of course, continues to change our lives, but the calendar has changed to May, which is Arthritis Awareness Month. So let's talk a little bit about those aches and pains and what you can do about them.

Let's start with the basics - what is arthritis and do your aches and pains indicate arthritis? According to Dr. Adrienne Hollander, a rheumatologist with Virtua Health, osteoarthritis is usually found in the hands, thumbs, knees, hips and back and symptoms include:

You can get details on those symptoms and possible treatment on the Virtua website.

If so, the problem may not be arthritis, but trigger finger.

According toDr. Andrew Sattel, a Virtua hand surgeon, you don't need to shoot a gun to get trigger finger. It's a common hand condition that affects all kinds of people, and it's easily treated. Symptoms are usually worse in the morning and include finger stiffness and a popping or clicking sensation as you bend your finger.

Learn all about the symptoms and treatment for trigger finger here.

Speaking of your hand, do you have pain in your thumb? According to Dr. Eric Strauss, a Virtua hand surgeon, that could indicate basal thumb arthritis. He said it's important that you know you don't have to "just deal with it." This condition is treatable through conservative management, and in advanced cases, surgery.

Basal thumb arthritis is common in women age 40 and older, but men also are affected.

Learn about the symptoms and treatments for basal thumb arthritis here.

If you know you have arthritis, you should know that there are ways you can ease your discomfort without medication or clinical treatments.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Get all the details on how to use these five steps to improve your quality of life.

At some point, arthritis pain may require some over-the-counter medication. Finding them isn't difficult, but sorting through the seemingly endless options can be daunting.

Dr. Samuel Weiner, a Virtua family physician, said over-the-counter medication options aren't as complicated as they may seem.

"It can get confusing with the number of brands available on the market," he said. "But there are only four major over-the-counter pain-killing products - aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen. Each has a different overall effect on the body."

While each of the four major products has its own array of individual brands, Dr. Weiner advises not getting wrapped up in the hype.

"I encourage my patients to look for generics," he said. "Generic over-the-counter pain relievers are less expensive, and they are just as effective as the name brands."

If you're looking for more information on Arthritis Awareness Month, you can check out this website.

Virtua has created a COVID-19 resource hub that includes up-to-date information about the pandemic, changes to the health system's operating guidelines - including visitation, ways to connect with care - including a self-assessment tool, and the answers to frequently asked questions.

There, you will also find useful information such as:

All of these and many more can be found on Virtua's resource hub.

You can get news, information, tips, and guidelines for healthy living on any health or lifestyle topic that's important to you - by subscribing to Virtua's Good Vibes newsletter. You can customize the content to match your interests and receive a monthly email that will help you be well, get well, and stay well.

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Arthritis flaring up during the COVID-19 pandemic? - Patch.com

By Dr. Zorba Paster For The Spokesman-Review

Keeping up to date that is the goal of every health care provider. We do it on the web, by reading books and journals, going to lectures, etc. Everyone has their own method.

Family doctors need 50 hours, minimum, of education each year to keep up our certification. Mayo Clinic has great meetings. They start super early, 7 a.m., and end at 11:30 p.m.

Now what would motivate you to go to something that early? Well, their meetings arent in Rochester, Minnesota, where Mayo is based. Theyre in Hawaii in Maui this year, to be exact.

What a shame, I know, but someone has to go. And this year it was me and fortunately it was before the coronavirus pandemic kept us home.

So with that introduction, let me share some of the updates I learned in no particular order.

The Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study research from more than a decade ago seemed to show that women who take estrogen have more heart attacks. That basically was the death knell for the company that made Prempro, which was the most common estrogen preparation on the market with something like 85% of the share.

Well, guess what: Looking at the data now, and looking at what we know about heart disease, we may have been wrong.

Yes, there might be a small increase in heart attacks among women who take estrogen, but it might just be a subgroup of women. And a woman who suffers from menopausal symptoms might not exercise as much and might not sleep as well. She might not, well, she just might not be as healthy because she has menopausal symptoms.

For some lucky women, the symptoms never happen or go away in a few months. But for others, they can last seven to 10 years or even forever.

The most effective treatment, by far, is estrogen. The safest way is to take an estrogen patch, one designed for menopause, not for contraception. That one is much stronger, accompanied by micronized natural progesterone of 100 milligrams daily.

Now who should get estrogen? Thats a question I wont answer. Its one that every woman who still has symptoms should discuss with her health care provider.

Its important that they know the data has changed. So if you talk to them, ask if they have read the latest data. The estrogen used in the study, Prempro, is not the estrogen recommended today, and it was oral estrogen and not the estrogen patch. Those two facts may have played a major role into the outcome of the study.

Believe me if you go into that office armed with information you could print it out for them that will be an eye -opener. And, believe it or not, if they know youre looking over their shoulder with good, reliable scientific evidence, youll get better medical care.

I kid you not. Whether you like it or not, health literacy the ability to discuss your health issues scientifically with your provider pays off. Try it.

This was a very expensive gel back in the day, but its off patent now. This is an anti-inflammatory in a topical form. You can get a large tube for about $25.

Youll need a prescription for this. Studies have shown, shockingly in my eyes, this gel works as well as oral anti-inflammatories for many patients with arthritis.

The gel is as good as the pill but without the side effects of the pill no worries about stomach pain, bleeding ulcers, elevated blood pressure and kidney problems. It can cause your kidneys distress, that is if youre prone to it, older or on certain medications.

And its cheap, cheaper than CBD oil and much more effective, with efficacy proven by scientifically well-controlled studies.

My spin: It might not be as sexy as CBD, but its cheaper and it works. If you have joint pain, call your doctor and get it. Im using it for my hand arthritis, and my hands feel more like 55 than 72.

More updates next in the next column. Stay well.

Dr. Zorba Paster is a family physician and host of the public radio program Zorba Paster on Your Health. He can be reached at askzorba@doctorzorba.com.

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Dr. Zorba Paster: New information emerges on treating menopause, arthritis - The Spokesman-Review

Rebecca Wynne has spent 25 years battling a painful condition which has often left her bedbound.

She was just 11-years-old when she was diagnosed with arthritis - a condition which largely affects adults in their 40s and upwards.

Now 35, she is still facing the daily challenge that arthritis brings. It became so bad that she couldn't even hold her kids when they were born.

When she tells people about her arthritis, the mum-of-two from Saffron Walden, Essex, is often faced with the look of shock in people's faces who simply cannot believe someone so young could have it.

This is the story from her diagnosis through to the struggles she has faced in her adult life.

Rebecca was 11 when she started suffering with pain and swelling in her joints.

Her parents took her to the GP and it was there that she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

She said: "It was a real shock. No one in my family had ever had it.

"It was just before I started secondary school.

"I wasn't a confident kid, so I didn't want anything that was going to make me stand out."

It is something that has, at some point, touched all our lives.

From cradle to grave, the National Health Service, and the incredible professionals within it who care for us, is a part of British life.

Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care, heedless of own health as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

We have never needed our doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other carers more.

So lets show them some love, and create a living map of gratitude from every corner of Britain - visitwww.thanksamillionnhs.co.ukto drop a heart on the map wherever you are in the world.

By dropping a heart on the map, youre saying you appreciate the efforts undertaken daily in the NHS.

Thanks a million, NHS workers - we love you.

Her diagnosis meant she wasn't allowed to take part in PE lessons at school and she had to wear trainers rather than less comfortable school shoes.

At the time, she says didn't really notice the impact it had on her. But as an adult, she has been able to fully take stock on the debilitating effect it's had on her life.

"I have had to bend my life around it," she said. "Of course to me it's not weird at all, it's just my life.

"Pretty much everyone I meet that finds out can't believe that I have arthritis. That has been the challenge since I was 11."

Her arthritis affects every single joint in her body, though some hurt more than others.

But it was after she gave birth to her second child, Lottie, three years ago that Rebecca's hips became really painful.

She already had one daughter, Emilia - who is now five - so had no reason to believe having another baby would make her condition worse.

But after Lottie came along, Rebecca couldn't bend down and was in constant agony, so much so that she was left unable to pick up her children.

It was heartbreaking for her and left her feeling like she couldn't fulfill her duties as a mother.

She added: "This has been the hardest part for me. After I had Lottie, the arthritis seemed to take control of my life.

"I couldn't take care of my children. It felt like all of a sudden I couldn't be the mum I wanted to be, I couldn't pick them off or doing anything for them.

"I could barely leave the house, not being able to care for my children was heartbreaking."

Being so young, Rebecca says her girls can't understand what is happening to their mum, but says they are amazing.

"They are very demanding, as young children are, but they don't understand what I am really suffering with," she said.

"Lottie has had to deal with this all as a toddler.

"It's different when it is just affecting you but as a parent it becomes a burden on your children.

"I feel a guilt that never goes away."

Rebecca also never thought she would have to depend so much on someone like she has with her husband, Tom.

Rebecca explained: "I have always been fiercely independent.

"All of a sudden I was being cared for by my husband.

"Perhaps I was a bit naive to live day by day, I hadn't considered how it was damaging my joints.

"That day came and it was awful."

Rebecca was offered a double hip replacement, a huge operation for someone to have so young.

The operation has dramatically improved her quality of life and she is no longer in the constant pain she once was.

Rebecca said: "It ate away at my hips so they had to be replaced.

"My hips are great now, they are my best joint.

"The hip replacement has been life changing, it was amazing."

Rebecca also suffers with her knees and has had to go to hospital to have them drained more times that she can remember.

She explained: "I have severe damage in my feet and ankles, I can't walk very far.

"Some days it is bearable but others it is horrendous.

"I am in pain every day.

"It feels like a throbbing, like my joints are on fire."

"The damage gets worse throughout the day.

"I'm always in some sort of pain, the daily pain from my feet and ankles is a joke."

Unfortunately there is not a common operation available for her feet like her hip surgery.

For now, Rebecca is focusing on controlling the pain.

The inflammatory part of arthritis is what tends to affect Rebecca in the mornings.

She wakes up stiff, puffy and in pain, but her medication is very effective at calming it down.

As the day goes on the joint pain only gets worse.

But one of the hardest parts about her condition isn't the pain it causes - it's the lack of understanding.

Although arthritis is very well known, and quite common, people aren't used to hearing about it in a young person.

However, two thirds of the 10 million people in the UK with arthritis are aged under 65.

She's even had people accuse her of lying about her condition during her commute to and from work.

She said: "I used to commute to work in London, that was hell.

"At that time I looked normal, but I was in so much pain.

"There were never any seats on the train home.

"I'm not someone who shouts about my condition, but sometimes I had to as I needed to sit down.

"Some of those times where I would speak up I would have people tell me that I couldn't have arthritis and that I was lying."

The lack of understanding of her illness also caused problems in Rebecca's work.

She is an architect and says that past employers have been good to her, though she doesn't think they fully understand what she goes through.

Rebecca explained: "It's difficult for people to understand. One day I will seem okay as it's under control, but the next I will be bed-ridden.

"I don't like having to answer for my condition.

"It feels like you are making excuses all of the time, when you just can't physically get out of bed."

For the past few years, Rebecca has been self-employed, meaning she can manage her work and her illness alongside each other.

Taking the step to work for herself was a big leap, but Rebecca says it was what she needed to do.

She said: "I can now take on as much work as I can manage.

"Working for myself was the right decision for me by far."

Whilst the coronavirus pandemic continues, we are all being told to stay at home where we can.

For Rebecca, Covid-19 is more even more serious.

The drugs she takes for her arthritis are immuno-suppressing, meaning she is more at risk of contracting the virus because of her weakened immune system.

She and her family are having to isolate together to protect her health and means none of them can leave the house.

Rebecca said: "The fear is huge. Being told that you are extremely vulnerable is horrible.

"It means my children can't go out, that's particularly hard.

"I feel guilty about it."

Her day-to-day life hasn't changed much, as she is often trapped indoors because of her illness.

The big difference is that her children are at home with her all of the time.

She said: "I feel lucky that I have this time with my children, but for us this can't be a short-term thing.

"The girls aren't going to be able to go to school for a long time.

"I'm having to take it day by day.

"The nature of my disease is that I have stress-related flare ups so I try to not let it get to me.

"I stay as positive as I can otherwise I could turn bitter."

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Rebecca has now joined forces with the charity Versus Arthritis to help raise awareness for arthritis.

Their latest campaign It's not alright, it's arthritis aims to widen people's understanding that arthritis can affect anyone.

The charity are keen to get rid of the stigma that arthritis is just 'wear and tear'.

Rebecca said: "It feels amazing to have someone in your corner fighting for awareness.

"It's just a relief to know they are there.

"So many people will be turning to them right now as they they don't want to add strain to their GP.

"The charity will also be under pressure like never before, so it's so important that the public understand their work."

A spokesperson for Versus Arthritis said: "We just want to raise awareness and dispel the myth that it's part of aging.

"We often run campaigns but this one is about asking the public to pledge support for those living with arthritis.

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Essex mum's 25-year battle with arthritis which became so bad she couldn't hold her children - Essex Live

OBJECTIVE:

This study was undertaken to uncover the pathophysiologic role of discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR-2), a putative fibrillar collagen receptor, in inflammation promotion and joint destruction inrheumatoid arthritis(RA).

In synovial tissue from patients with RA and from mice with collagen antibody-inducedarthritis(CAIA) (using Ddr2-/-and DBA/1 mice), gene and protein expression levels of DDR-2, interleukin-15 (IL-15), and Dkk-1 were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Gene knockdown of DDR2 in human RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) was conducted via small interfering RNA. Interaction between the long noncoding RNA H19 and microRNA 103a (miR-103a) was assessed in RA FLS using RNA pulldown assays. Cellular localization of H19 was examined using fluorescence in situ hybridization assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assays were applied to verify H19 transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation by miR-103a.

DDR2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was significantly associated with the levels of IL-15 and Dkk-1 mRNA in the synovial tissue of RA patients (r2= 0.2022-0.3293, all P < 0.05; n = 33) and with the serum levels of IL-15 and Dkk-1 in mice with CAIA (P < 0.05). In human RA FLS, activated DDR-2 induced the expression of H19 through c-Myc. Moreover, H19 directly interacted with and promoted the degradation of miR-103a.

These results indicate a novel role for activated DDR-2 in RA FLS, showing that DDR-2 is responsible for regulating the expression of IL-15 and Dkk-1 in RA FLS and is involved in the promotion of inflammation and joint destruction during pathophysiologic development of RA. Moreover, DDR-2 inhibition, acting through the H19-miR-103a axis, leads to reductions in the inflammatory reaction and severity of joint destruction in mice with CAIA, suggesting that inhibition of DDR-2 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for RA

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Blockade of Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 as a Strategy for Reducing Inflammation and Joint Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Via Altered...

TEL AVIV, Israel & PARSIPPANY, N.J. & INCHEON, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., a U.S. affiliate of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA), and Celltrion Healthcare, Co., Ltd. (KRX KOSDAQ:091990), today announced that TRUXIMA (rituximab-abbs) injection is now available in the United States for the treatment of:

TRUXIMA is the only biosimilar to the reference product Rituxan1 (rituximab) available to treat rheumatoid arthritis in the United States. See important safety information below including Boxed Warning regarding fatal infusion-related reactions, severe mucocutaneous reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

We are proud to make TRUXIMA available to patients and providers as a treatment option for these indications, especially as this is the only rituximab biosimilar indicated for rheumatoid arthritis, said Brendan OGrady, Executive Vice President, North America Commercial, Teva. Following the launch of our other biosimilar earlier this year, we remain focused on our commitment to lower healthcare costs and increase price competition through the availability of biosimilars.

Celltrion Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. entered into an exclusive partnership in October 2016 for Teva to commercialize TRUXIMA in the U.S. and Canada. In May 2019, TRUXIMA was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to match all of the reference products oncology indications described below.

We are pleased that patients in the United States can now have access to TRUXIMA for these new indications, said Mr. Hyoung-Ki Kim, Vice Chairman at Celltrion Healthcare. We believe that the continued use of biosimilars in the U.S. market will contribute to addressing unmet needs for patients and providers.

Earlier this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted pass-through status for TRUXIMA in the hospital outpatient setting. The Wholesale Acquisition Cost (WAC or list price) for TRUXIMA will be 10 percent lower than the reference product. TRUXIMA is expected to be available through primary wholesalers at a WAC of $845.55 per 100mg vial and $4,227.75 per 500mg vial. Actual costs to individual patients and providers for TRUXIMA are anticipated to be lower than WAC because WAC does not account for additional rebates and discounts that may apply. Savings on out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on the patients insurance payer and eligibility for participation in the assistance program.

Teva also offers dedicated patient support services through the CORE program. CORE is available to help eligible patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals navigate the reimbursement process. CORE offers a range of services, including benefits verification and coverage determination, support for precertification and prior authorization, assistance with coverage guidelines and claims investigation, and support through the claims and appeals process. A savings program is also available for eligible commercially insured patients. To learn more, please visit TevaCORE.com.

Please see the Important Safety Information below including the Boxed Warning regarding fatal infusion-related reactions, severe mucocutaneous reactions, hepatitis B virus reactivation and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. For more information, please see the full prescribing information.

IndicationsTRUXIMA (rituximab-abbs) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with:

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL)

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegeners Granulomatosis) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA)

Important Safety Information

WARNING: FATAL INFUSION-RELATED REACTIONS, SEVERE MUCOCUTANEOUS REACTIONS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS REACTIVATION and PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY

Infusion-Related Reactions: Administration of rituximab products, including TRUXIMA, can result in serious, including fatal, infusion-related reactions. Deaths within 24 hours of rituximab infusion have occurred. Approximately 80% of fatal infusion-related reactions occurred in association with the first infusion. Monitor patients closely. Discontinue TRUXIMA infusion for severe reactions and provide medical treatment for Grade 3 or 4 infusion-related reactions

Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions: Severe, including fatal, mucocutaneous reactions can occur in patients receiving rituximab products

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation: HBV reactivation can occur in patients treated with rituximab products, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death. Screen all patients for HBV infection before treatment initiation, and monitor patients during and after treatment with TRUXIMA. Discontinue TRUXIMA and concomitant medications in the event of HBV reactivation

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), including fatal PML, can occur in patients receiving rituximab products

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Infusion-Related Reactions - Rituximab products can cause severe, including fatal, infusion-related reactions. Severe reactions typically occurred during the first infusion with time to onset of 30-120 minutes. Rituximab product-induced infusion-related reactions and sequelae include urticaria, hypotension, angioedema, hypoxia, bronchospasm, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock, anaphylactoid events, or death

Premedicate patients with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to dosing. For RA, GPA, and MPA patients, methylprednisolone 100 mg intravenously or its equivalent is recommended 30 minutes prior to each infusion. Institute medical management (e.g. glucocorticoids, epinephrine, bronchodilators, or oxygen) for infusion-related reactions as needed. Depending on the severity of the infusion-related reaction and the required interventions, temporarily or permanently discontinue TRUXIMA. Resume infusion at a minimum 50% reduction in rate after symptoms have resolved. Closely monitor the following patients: those with pre-existing cardiac or pulmonary conditions, those who experienced prior cardiopulmonary adverse reactions, and those with high numbers of circulating malignant cells (25,000/mm3)

Severe Mucocutaneous Reactions - Mucocutaneous reactions, some with fatal outcome, can occur in patients treated with rituximab products. These reactions include paraneoplastic pemphigus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, lichenoid dermatitis, vesiculobullous dermatitis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The onset of these reactions has been variable and includes reports with onset on the first day of rituximab exposure. Discontinue TRUXIMA in patients who experience a severe mucocutaneous reaction. The safety of re-administration of rituximab products to patients with severe mucocutaneous reactions has not been determined

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation - Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, in some cases resulting in fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure and death, can occur in patients treated with drugs classified as CD20-directed cytolytic antibodies, including rituximab products. Cases have been reported in patients who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and also in patients who are HBsAg negative but are hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive. Reactivation also has occurred in patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection (i.e., HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive and hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs] positive)

HBV reactivation is defined as an abrupt increase in HBV replication manifesting as a rapid increase in serum HBV DNA levels or detection of HBsAg in a person who was previously HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive. Reactivation of HBV replication is often followed by hepatitis, i.e., increase in transaminase levels. In severe cases increase in bilirubin levels, liver failure, and death can occur

Screen all patients for HBV infection by measuring HBsAg and anti-HBc before initiating treatment with TRUXIMA. For patients who show evidence of prior hepatitis B infection (HBsAg positive [regardless of antibody status] or HBsAg negative but anti-HBc positive), consult with physicians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for HBV antiviral therapy before and/or during TRUXIMA treatment

Monitor patients with evidence of current or prior HBV infection for clinical and laboratory signs of hepatitis or HBV reactivation during and for several months following TRUXIMA therapy. HBV reactivation has been reported up to 24 months following completion of rituximab therapy

In patients who develop reactivation of HBV while on TRUXIMA, immediately discontinue TRUXIMA and any concomitant chemotherapy, and institute appropriate treatment. Insufficient data exist regarding the safety of resuming TRUXIMA treatment in patients who develop HBV reactivation. Resumption of TRUXIMA treatment in patients whose HBV reactivation resolves should be discussed with physicians with expertise in managing HBV

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) - JC virus infection resulting in PML and death can occur in rituximab product-treated patients with hematologic malignancies. The majority of patients with hematologic malignancies diagnosed with PML received rituximab in combination with chemotherapy or as part of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Most cases of PML were diagnosed within 12 months of their last infusion of rituximab

Consider the diagnosis of PML in any patient presenting with new-onset neurologic manifestations. Evaluation of PML includes, but is not limited to, consultation with a neurologist, brain MRI, and lumbar puncture

Discontinue TRUXIMA and consider discontinuation or reduction of any concomitant chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy in patients who develop PML

Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) - Acute renal failure, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, or hyperphosphatemia from tumor lysis, sometimes fatal, can occur within 12-24 hours after the first infusion of rituximab products in patients with NHL. A high number of circulating malignant cells ( 25,000/mm3) or high tumor burden, confers a greater risk of TLS

Administer aggressive intravenous hydration and anti-hyperuricemic therapy in patients at high risk for TLS. Correct electrolyte abnormalities, monitor renal function and fluid balance, and administer supportive care, including dialysis as indicated

Infections - Serious, including fatal, bacterial, fungal, and new or reactivated viral infections can occur during and following the completion of rituximab product-based therapy. Infections have been reported in some patients with prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia (defined as hypogammaglobulinemia >11 months after rituximab exposure). New or reactivated viral infections included cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, parvovirus B19, varicella zoster virus, West Nile virus, and hepatitis B and C. Discontinue TRUXIMA for serious infections and institute appropriate anti-infective therapy. TRUXIMA is not recommended for use in patients with severe, active infections

Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions - Cardiac adverse reactions, including ventricular fibrillation, myocardial infarction, and cardiogenic shock may occur in patients receiving rituximab products. Discontinue infusions for serious or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Perform cardiac monitoring during and after all infusions of TRUXIMA for patients who develop clinically significant arrhythmias, or who have a history of arrhythmia or angina

Renal Toxicity - Severe, including fatal, renal toxicity can occur after rituximab product administration in patients with NHL. Renal toxicity has occurred in patients who experience tumor lysis syndrome and in patients with NHL administered concomitant cisplatin therapy during clinical trials. The combination of cisplatin and TRUXIMA is not an approved treatment regimen. Monitor closely for signs of renal failure and discontinue TRUXIMA in patients with a rising serum creatinine or oliguria

Bowel Obstruction and Perforation - Abdominal pain, bowel obstruction and perforation, in some cases leading to death, can occur in patients receiving rituximab in combination with chemotherapy. In postmarketing reports, the mean time to documented gastrointestinal perforation was 6 (range 1-77) days in patients with NHL. Evaluate if symptoms of obstruction such as abdominal pain or repeated vomiting occur

Immunization - The safety of immunization with live viral vaccines following rituximab product therapy has not been studied and vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended before or during treatment

Prior to initiating TRUXIMA physicians should ensure patients vaccinations and immunizations are up-to-date with guidelines. Administration of any non-live vaccines should occur at least 4 weeks prior to a course of TRUXIMA

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity - Based on human data, rituximab products can cause fetal harm due to B-cell lymphocytopenia in infants exposed to rituximab in-utero. Advise pregnant women of the risk to a fetus. Females of childbearing potential should use effective contraception while receiving TRUXIMA and for 12 months following the last dose of TRUXIMA

Concomitant Use With Other Biologic Agents and DMARDS Other Than Methotrexate

Observe patients closely for signs of infection if biologic agents and/or DMARDs are used concomitantly as limited safety data is available.

Use of concomitant immunosuppressants other than corticosteroids has not been studied in GPA or MPA patients exhibiting peripheral B-cell depletion following treatment with rituximab products

Use in RA Patients Who Have Not Had Prior Inadequate Response to TNF Antagonists

TRUXIMA should only be used in patients who have had a prior inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist

Most common adverse reactions in clinical trials of NHL (25%) were: infusion-related reactions, fever, lymphopenia, chills, infection, and asthenia

Most common adverse reactions in clinical trials of CLL (25%) were: infusion-related reactions and neutropenia

Most common adverse reactions in clinical trials of RA (10%) were: upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, urinary tract infection, and bronchitis (other important adverse reactions include infusion-related reactions, serious infections, and cardiovascular events)

Most common adverse reactions in clinical trials of GPA and MPA (15%) were: infections, nausea, diarrhea, headache, muscle spasms, anemia, peripheral edema, and infusion-related reactions

Nursing Mothers - There are no data on the presence of rituximab in human milk, the effect on the breastfed child, or the effect on milk production. Since many drugs including antibodies are present in human milk, advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose of TRUXIMA due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants

About TRUXIMA TRUXIMA (rituximab-abbs) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved biosimilar to RITUXAN (rituximab) for the treatment of: adult patients with CD20-positive, B-cell NHL to be used as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy or CLL in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC); for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in combination with methotrexate in adult patients with moderately-to severely-active RA who have inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies; and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegeners Granulomatosis) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) in adult patients in combination with glucocorticoids

TRUXIMA has the same mechanism of action as Rituxan and has demonstrated biosimilarity to Rituxan through a totality of evidence.

About Celltrion Healthcare, Co. Ltd.Celltrion Healthcare conducts the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution of biological medicines developed by Celltrion, Inc. through an extensive global network that spans more than 120 different countries. Celltrion Healthcares products are manufactured at state-of-the-art mammalian cell culture facilities, designed and built to comply with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cGMP guidelines and the EU GMP guidelines.

About Teva Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) has been developing and producing medicines to improve peoples lives for more than a century. We are a global leader in generic and specialty medicines with a portfolio consisting of over 3,500 products in nearly every therapeutic area. Around 200 million people around the world take a Teva medicine every day, and are served by one of the largest and most complex supply chains in the pharmaceutical industry. Along with our established presence in generics, we have significant innovative research and operations supporting our growing portfolio of specialty and biopharmaceutical products. Learn more at http://www.tevapharm.com.

Teva's Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the launch of TRUXIMA Injection for Rheumatoid Arthritis in the United States, which are based on managements current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to:

and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, including in the sections captioned "Risk Factors and Forward Looking Statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

1 RITUXAN is a registered trademark of Genentech and Biogen.

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Teva and Celltrion Healthcare Announce the Launch of TRUXIMA (rituximab-abbs) Injection for Rheumatoid Arthritis, the Only Biosimilar to Rituxan...