New variant of coronavirus would have a higher transmissibility 28:33
(CNN Spanish) -
The forms of contagion of the coronavirus continue to be one of the concerns of our audience.
In this episode of questions and answers, Dr. Huerta answers the doubts of our users about the risk of contagion of covid-19 through the eyes and vaccines against the disease.
We also talked about testing for the virus and reminisced about how the 1918 pandemic ended.
You can listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform, or read the transcript below.
Hello, I am Dr. Elmer Huerta and this is your daily dose of information about the new coronavirus, information that we hope will be useful to take care of your health and that of your family.
Today we will answer some questions that we have been asked on our Twitter account @drhuerta.
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Questions about the contagion and transmission of the coronavirus
@drhuerta Dr. Excuse the question.
Is there already published evidence of ocular transmission?
Is there evidence of community use of face masks?
- Jorge Cabrera (@ JorgeCa96745502) February 3, 2021
Hello Jorge.
There is scientific evidence of transmission of the new coronavirus through the mucosa of the eyes, called the conjunctiva.
Those infections occurred in hospital settings.
That is why it is recommended to health personnel or in places where the number of people is very large to wear glasses or face masks.
@drhuerta How high is the risk of contagion from Covid-19 if I bike to my office every day through streets with few pedestrians without wearing a mask?
- Gustavo Réquiz (@GustavoRequiz) February 4, 2021
Hello Gustavo.
I think the risk is going to be low.
First of all, because you are outdoors.
Second because being on a bicycle, there is little probability that someone else's aerosols can reach you, and third because the people you cross are very few.
#help I live in a room.
On the 3rd floor there is a mrs.
is waiting for the swab.
You have all the symptoms of COVID.
We have asked him to isolate himself but he goes out and is in an emotional crisis.
What do we do?
We are terrified and she does not collaborate @Minsa_Peru @drhuerta @eabusad
- UnaVendedora Desquiciada (@ShurlyPame) February 2, 2021
Hello, Saleswoman.
If you stay inside your house, nothing will happen.
If they go out into the corridors and these are poorly ventilated, they should wear a well-fitting mask in case aerosols have remained in the environment.
@drhuerta He looks very irresponsible smoking and walking in the street, giving off his smoke. If they are with COVID 19, can they infect us ???
- Ricardo Rivelinho (@ ricardoctor2011) February 2, 2021
Hi Ricardo.
The new coronavirus does not travel in cigarette smoke, so by breathing that smoke you will not get infected.
However, if you do not wear a mask, and you pass very close to them, you can be infected by the aerosols that are in the air that those smokers exhale if they have covid-19.
@drhuerta, is there any type of viral infection such as the so-called "madpox" (in childhood) that can generate some type of immunity to the new coronavirus?
- Oscar E. Ibarra H. (@IbarraHumphries) February 4, 2021
Good question, Oscar.
It is thought that some viruses in the corona family, such as those that cause colds, might have some form of cross-immunity against the new coronavirus.
Questions about coronavirus testing
@drhuerta If at some point I had asymptomatic Covid-19, would the serological antibody tests come out positive?
- Oscar E. Ibarra H. (@IbarraHumphries) February 4, 2021
Good question, Oscar.
Of course.
SARS CoV-2 infection, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, will always cause the production of antibodies, the amount of which will vary.
Asymptomatic or mildly ill people produce fewer antibodies than more severely ill people.
@drhuerta Good evening, if I am in treatment with antibiotics, how long should I stop taking them to do the blood test to detect COVID-19
- Monserrat Hernández De Luna (@Monoofmoon) February 2, 2021
Hello, Monserrat.
Antibiotics do not interfere with any of the tests to study COVID-19, neither the molecular nor the serological ones.
Questions about covid-19 vaccines
@drhuerta Hello Dr Huerta I wanted to ask you a question, on January 17 I got the 1st dose of the corona vaccine but days later my boyfriend tested positive.
I had symptoms after the vaccine but normal reactions were coming in.
My question can I get the 2nd dose if I had a crown.
- Liset Hernandez (@ LisetHe44045229) February 3, 2021
Excellent question, Liset.
Because you did not have a PCR test, it is not known if you had the infection.
If you had it, the CDC recommends that the second dose should be postponed until the person ends the isolation period for their illness.
I think you should consult with your doctor to discuss the details of your possible infection and decide when you should receive the second dose.
@drhuerta Adults over 65 can be vaccinated with AZ, it is said that there is not much study for this group, it will be effective
- Alexis Manuel Alvarado J (@alexalvj) February 4, 2021
Excellent question, Alexis.
What happens is that some European regulators think that there were insufficient numbers of participants over 65 years of age in the phase 3 studies of AstraZeneca, so their conclusion is not that the vaccine is ineffective for those over 65 years, but that its effectiveness has not yet been fully demonstrated in these people.
Other companies, like Pfizer, included more seniors early in their trials, so they have more data available.
@drhuerta good afternoon Dr. Huerta, is my question: a woman in a state of pregnancy at any stage of it, can be vaccinated against covic19 ?.
Thank you.
A greeting…
- Elizabeth (@ Elizabe66941433) February 3, 2021
Hello, Elizabeth.
Because the phase 3 studies did not include pregnant women, that question is unanswered and it is left to the treating physician whether or not their patient should be vaccinated.
Remember that pregnant women receive various types of vaccines, so the doctor can discuss the issue with his patient and make a joint decision.
@drhuerta hello doctor, good afternoon, people with hypothyroidism and post-operated, what effects the vaccine may have on those patients
- Xiomara del Valle O. (@xiomarinadavi) February 3, 2021
Hello, Xiomara.
The effect is the same as in any person who does not suffer from hypothyroidism, that is, protection against the new coronavirus.
It is not expected to cause major or minor side effects.
@drhuerta can inform if a patient who had covid can be vaccinated after how many days?
- Manolo (@ManoloSpinolla) February 3, 2021
Hi Manolo.
As we saw in the episode of December 14, the Advisory Commission on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC determined to include in the group of people who should be vaccinated those who have already had the infection, but must go through at least 3 months from infection before receiving the vaccine.
Dr. Can a person who received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine test positive on a PCR?
And if so, could the second dose be given?
- Esteban Santos (@ Esteban73Santos) February 2, 2021
Hello Esteban.
Of course, that can happen in cases in which the person who receives the first dose of the vaccine was already infected or is infected a few days later.
According to the CDC, the second dose should be postponed until the person has completed the isolation period for their illness.
There is strong evidence of a new variant of coronavirus with greater contagion power
Hi Peter.
That is a decision that you have to make with your mother's geriatrician.
It depends on your general condition and if you have other diseases or not.
In general, it is not recommended to vaccinate an elderly person who is terminally ill.
Other questions about the coronavirus
It is possible to overcome the covid with an aplastic anemia
- Alan Ferrer (@ alfeco75) February 4, 2021
Hello Alan.
People with immune disorders, and aplastic anemia is in some cases an autoimmune disorder, may be more likely to suffer further complications from Covid-19.
But remember, there are many people who have risk factors and do not get seriously ill.
I think the best thing is to take care of yourself.
@drhuerta Greetings Dr. Could it happen that the virus changes to a less harmful type?
As it is said that happened with the Spanish flu ?.
Thank you
- JJ Juan (@juankvelasq) February 4, 2021
Excellent question, Juan.
In reality, it is the other way around, viruses are always trying to gain some kind of evolutionary advantage and that causes them to cause more infections.
Although not entirely defined, the 1918 pandemic did not end because the virus became less aggressive, but because - after infecting a third of the world's population - it infected and killed all susceptible people.
What kind of care apart from maintaining hygiene, should a mother who is breastfeeding her baby and has covid have?
Some medication?
Or just quarantine and have a lot of hygiene.
- Maricruz Pacheco Vilela (@VilelaMaricruz) February 4, 2021
Hello, Maricruz.
I beg you to look for the episode of our podcast of November 18, 2020 and there you will hear all the recommendations that a mother who is breastfeeding should keep in mind, and whether she is the infected one or her baby.
Do you have questions about the coronavirus?
Send me your questions on Twitter, we will try to answer them in our next episodes.
You can find me at @DrHuerta.
You see that we answer them.
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We will be back tomorrow so be sure to subscribe to get the latest episode on your account.
And for the most up-to-date information, you can always head over to CNNEspanol.com.
Thanks for your attention.
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