Some of the Strange New Ways You Could Get COVID- -The Panagora Blog

While COVID is primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated respiratory droplets, new research suggests that a surprising daily habit could be putting people at risk of contracting the virus, as well. According to the research, eating may be a particularly perilous activity for individuals with this common condition. Read on to discover if you could be at risk, and for insight on where COVID is spreading, These 2 States Are the Biggest Hotspots for the New COVID Strain.

According to Jan. 2021 research published in the journal Gastroenterology, people with Barrett's esophagus—a condition caused by acid reflux damage that causes the esophagus to thicken—may be more susceptible to developing COVID than the general population. Among a group of 30 patients with Barrett's esophagus, all study subjects had COVID receptors in their esophageal tissue samples, something those without the condition lack. The study's authors posit that, due to the physiological changes brought about by Barrett's esophagus, cells within the esophagus begin to take on the properties of the digestive tract cells to which COVID binds. When this occurs, the cells within the esophagus become more susceptible to COVID infection.

Additionally, proton pump inhibitors, which are commonly prescribed to treat Barrett's esophagus, neutralize the stomach acid that might otherwise kill the virus within a person's digestive tract, meaning that food contaminated with COVID particles could potentially infect individuals with Barrett's esophagus with the virus. This also may mean that individuals with Barrett's esophagus who come into contact with COVID-infected respiratory droplets may be more likely to develop the infection by breathing in the contaminated particles.

"You can imagine that if someone already has low levels of the virus in their respiratory tract, that individual could swallow some respiratory secretions, and the virus could infect cells in the esophagus to make them sicker that way," explained Ramon U. Jin, MD, PhD, co-first author on the study, clinical fellow in the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Division of Medical Oncology, and Barrett's esophagus researcher.

Just because you have Barrett's esophagus doesn't mean a future COVID infection is a foregone conclusion, though; the study's authors say that more research needs to be done to determine if swallowing presents a major risk to a large segment of the population. In the meantime, following public health protocols, like wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing can all reduce the risk of developing the virus. However, research does indicate that certain conditions could make you more susceptible to developing severe COVD; read on to discover if you could be at risk. And if you're eager to stay safe, This Is Where You Should Really Take Your Temperature to Detect COVID.