Coronavirus Updates: Exercise linked to less severe covid symptoms

Scientists looking to block covid from using our proteins ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Important developments in the pandemic.       By Sabrina Malhi  Email   The latest People who exercise and receive coronavirus vaccines are about 25 percent less likely to be hospitalized with covid-19 compared with people who live a sedentary lifestyle. A study of nearly 200,000 people in South Africa found that in most participants, the shot prevented severe illness but "worked best in people who exercised regularly," according to my colleague Gretchen Reynolds. The research adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the connection between regular exercise and lowering the risk of severe illness and hospitalization if a person becomes infected with the virus. People who exercised between 60 and 149 minutes a week were more protected than those who exercised less than an hour a week. But participants who exercised at least 150 minutes per week benefited the most. Scientists are researching ways to stop the evolution of the coronavirus in its tracks by blocking the human proteins it hijacks and uses against us, my colleague Mark Johnson reports. "If the strategy works, it has the potential to address several shortcomings of current treatments and vaccines, including their inability to prevent infections and maintain effectiveness in the face of a changing virus," Johnson writes. "Shutting off its access to a crucial protein would be like depriving a predator of food or oxygen." Some scientists are apprehensive about the protein-blocking treatment options, citing potential risks. Other important news Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has tested positive for the coronavirus again after completing a round of Paxlovid, according to the agency. A report by Senate Republicans cited the "most likely" origin of the coronavirus pandemic was some kind of "research-related incident" in China, according to my colleagues Joel Achenbach and Dan Diamond. "The report, while not a formal scientific document, represents a possible template for a future investigatory hearing in Congress if Republicans gain control of the House or Senate — or both — following the midterm elections," the authors write. This flu season is more severe than any since 2009. My colleague Lena H. Sun reports we've already seen "880,000 cases of influenza illness, 6,900 hospitalizations and 360 flu-related deaths nationally."  Get breaking news alerts, offline reading lists and more. Download the app     Guide to the pandemic Track confirmed cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. and the spread around the world. U.S. vaccine distribution and delivery, tracked by state. Guides: Booster shots | Vaccines | Variants | Masks Submit a question and we may answer it in a future story or newsletter.   Your questions, answered What do mild, moderate and severe covid symptoms mean? Most of my other fully vaccinated friends, who have contracted the virus, had milder symptoms, but I don't know what qualifies as moderate. Many of these terms are subjective and can vary depending on the person. But providers consider severe covid symptoms to be those requiring acute medical care or hospitalization. "Moderate covid symptoms often require the infected person to need more extensive rest, or they have more robust coughing, nasal congestion, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, but they can be cared for at home," Priya Duggal, an epidemiologist from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told The Washington Post in an email. "Mild symptoms usually don't incapacitate the person, and although they are isolating, they have the energy and minimal symptoms to read, watch television or do remote work."  Because covid is an illness mainly targeting the respiratory system, one thing to be aware of is any changes to a person's breathing, which should raise a red flag.  "What we have said from the beginning is that you should be checking your oxygen levels (via [a] pulse ox) at home — and if those numbers are not near the high 90s, reach out to your doctor," Duggal said. It's "the best way to determine how severe your symptoms are." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an adult or child should have oxygen levels between 95 and 100 percent. A health-care provider should be called if those numbers fall below that, based on a reading by a pulse oximeter, a device that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood. Being male, older and having comorbidities also put a person at greater risk for developing severe illness. But even those who don't fall into these categories should seek medical attention immediately.   Today's top reads Can stress spread like a virus? What animals tell us. By Bishop Sand ●  Read more »   For those still trying to duck covid, the isolation is worse than ever Read more »   Find more stories, analysis and op-eds about the pandemic on our coronavirus page.   We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Post Most for the most popular and interesting stories of the day, from politics to opinions to world news, to keep you in the know. In your inbox, every day. Sign up »

Manage my email newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe from Coronavirus Updates | Privacy Policy | Help You received this email because you signed up for Coronavirus Updates or because it is included in your subscription. ©2022 The Washington Post | 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071