Chapter 1: A Relationship Between Virus and Fungus
As documented by the first catalog of microorganisms revealed by scientists in 2012, the human body contains more microorganisms than previously known. Trillions of microorganisms live on and inside the average human body. Scientists actually estimate that these microorganisms outnumber human cells at a ratio of 10 to 1 (National Institutes of Health, 2012).
With that understanding, it is easy to assert that this "novel" SARS-CoV-2 (hereafter referred to by the conventional name COVID-19) is like every other virus out there, including those viruses already known to live on human bodies. Similar to the typical virus, COVID-19 cannot survive or reproduce outside the host body. COVID-19 is thought to access the inside of a host body like other viruses (such as the flu, rhinoviruses, pneumonia, measles, and chickenpox) by entering through the respiratory tract. Then, using similar mechanisms as other viruses, COVID-19 likely takes over human cells and begins reproducing. The virus eventually becomes a part of all secretions, and when the host sneezes, coughs, or breathes out air, the virus carries on to infect the next host. The life cycle of the virus repeats (Vidyasagar, 2016).
On the other hand, the damage this little organism and its variations have caused are unique to this particular virus. The first case study of a patient presenting with COVID-19 indicated that the virus had reached the kidneys in less than 2 days. The speed with which the virus infected a major organ outside of the respiratory system was an unusual presentation on its own. However, additional diagnostics indicated an unexpected overgrowth of yeast in the system as well.
The primary analysis indicates that COVID-19 is as quick to spread in the human biome as it is to spread in the general population. This level of infectiousness correlates with the high incidence of sensitivity in immuno-compromised individuals and diabetics. The virus infects the major organs of the compromised patients so rapidly that the already taxed organ systems are quick to shut down.
The additional analysis indicates the virus does not spread alone. The overgrowth of yeast seems to be tied to the speedy progression of symptoms. Referring back to the human biome discussed in the first paragraph, all types of microorganisms naturally exist in and on the human body, including yeast. According to the Oxford Dictionary, yeast is a type of fungus. Thus, yeast is a spore-producing organism that feeds on organic matter (2020). In the case of the human body, yeast feeds on sugar. For a healthy person, yeast is simply one of the countless other microorganisms that keeps the body functioning. However, when the bacteria and other microorganisms that generally keep the yeast levels tolerable are no longer present or malfunctioning, yeast infections will occur. Yeast infections are generally found in the urinary tract, genital area, mouth, or skin, but yeast can be found anywhere on the body (Seladi-Schulman, 2018).
Future researchers may be able to determine the exact role of yeast--yeast may be the primary infection, the secondary infection, or perhaps there is symbiotic propagation of yeast and virus. Regardless, yeast is a major source of infection in most of the diagnoses to this point in time. Without treatment of the yeast overgrowth, the symptoms of the virus appear to return immediately. While the pair of organisms is lethal, there is an effective treatment protocol. The first step is to efficiently and accurately diagnose the conditions. Once COVID-19 and yeast are determined to be present in the person, the second step is to simultaneously treat viral and fungal infections. The final step is to confirm clearing of the virus and advise in preventing recurrence.
National Institutes of Health. (2012, June). NIH Human Microbiome Project defines normal bacterial makeup of the body. NIH. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-human-microbiome-project-defines-normal-bacterial-makeup-body
Oxford Dictionary. (2020). Fungus. Retrieved from https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/fungus
Seladi-Schulman, J. (2018). About Candida albicans: Natural yeast and problematic infections. MedicalNewsToday. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322722
Vidyasagar, A. (2016). What are viruses? LiveScience. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/53272-what-is-a-virus.html