By Dr. Lynn Webster, PNN Columnist

Over 67,000 people have contracted the new coronavirus, now officially referred to as COVID-19. Many of those who died — over 1,500 people to date — were already in poor health.

Fears about the virus spreading led to more than 30 million people being quarantined in the coastal province of Zhejiang, China — which is more than 500 miles away from the epicenter of the virus in Wuhan, China. As I write this, the U.S. and 25 other countries have a confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus

It is clear that COVID-19 qualifies as an epidemic and some experts predict it could become a pandemic (a pandemic is the global spread of a virus, while an epidemic is contained in a particular region, such as China.)

The people with increased risk for experiencing severe symptoms, and possibly dying of COVID-19, are seniors and those with chronic illness. Of course, many people in chronic pain are part of both risk groups. The mortality rate of COVID-19 has been reported to be about two percent.

People with chronic pain may be more susceptible to viruses in general, because chronic pain can change the way our immune systems work. McGill University researchers found that chronic pain changes the DNA in T-cells, a type of white blood cell essential for immunity. Researchers were surprised by the number of genes affected by chronic pain, and hope their findings will lead to new treatments.

Preventing Infections

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of other viruses: fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may be mild or severe, and sometimes deadly.  

Most troubling is that the virus causes respiratory difficulties that can lead to pneumonia — and antibiotics are worthless against viral pneumonia.

In severe cases, COVID-19 can also cause organ failure. A full recovery, according to The Guardian, “will depend on the strength of their immune system."

One of the most effective methods to reduce illness and mortality from viruses is to develop and use a vaccine. Vaccines prevent an estimated two to three million deaths worldwide every year, according to WHO. 

Developing new vaccines used to take at least a decade. However, thanks to recent medical advancements, it may be possible to develop a vaccine that can prevent COVID-19 in a matter of months.  

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called COVID-19 "a very grave threat." However, Ghebreyesus stresses that while we wait for a vaccine to be developed, we are not defenseless. The CDC recommends following the usual advice about protecting yourself from viruses: stay away from people who are sick; wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; and clean and disinfect objects that you touch. 

Since chronic pain can compromise the immune system, pain patients should follow the best available advice to protect themselves from exposure to COVID-19. The potential of infection is a serious issue that should not be dismissed, particularly for people with chronic pain and illness. 

Feeding on Ignorance 

One of the most significant threats to the spread of disease is social rather than medical: the dissemination of rumors and false information, such as conspiracy theories by anti-vaxxers. Even intelligent people with otherwise good reputations, such as Robert Kennedy, Jr., are promulgating nonsense about vaccines through social media to millions of people. These efforts must be discredited and stopped.  

According to a recent Gallup poll, the pharmaceutical industry is regarded more negatively by Americans than any other industry. There are well-known reasons why the public has a dim view of Big Pharma, but it’s the only industry that can prevent the deaths of an untold number of people during pandemics. In this situation, we need to cheer them on. 

Immunization is important to stop the spread of viruses. But first, the vaccines must be developed. Once they are available, people with chronic pain should discuss the potential benefits and risks of immunization with their physicians.  

President Trump recently said the coronavirus may disappear by April. This is a dangerous statement. In the United States, most viruses wane in the summer, but not always and they usually reappear by fall. Dr. William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, points out that some respiratory viruses may exist year-round in other parts of the world.  

There is never a good time to disregard science. But if there were, the start of a new pandemic surely would not be it.   

Lynn R. Webster, MD, is a vice president of scientific affairs for PRA Health Sciences and consults with the pharmaceutical industry. He is author of the award-winning book, “The Painful Truth,” and co-producer of the documentary, “It Hurts Until You Die.” You can find Lynn on Twitter: @LynnRWebsterMD.

Opinions expressed are those of the author alone and do not reflect the views or policy of PRA Health Sciences.