Carbon monoxide: A catalyst for the coronavirus

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Recently it was explained how the highly toxic carbon monoxide (CO) interferes with important biological functions in our body, including the immune system, even when it is inhaled in very low concentrations.

It now seems that carbon monoxide also plays an important role as a catalyst in the worldwide pandemic of the coronavirus, because that can explain observed phenomena that cannot be understood otherwise. The coronavirus emerged in the Chinese town of Wuhan during the winter season, when air pollution by CO, also indoors, is at its worst. It should also be noted that smoking is still very common in China, especially among men, which also stimulates a high ratio of chronic CO intoxication among the Chinese population. It is therefore remarkable, but no coincidence, that in neighboring Taiwan, which has strict environmental and anti-smoking policies, the coronavirus has a much milder course.

But all over the world, the typical victims of the coronavirus are senior people who suffer from chronic diseases that are linked to smoking and/or air pollution, like heart problems, COPD, high blood pressure and diabetes type 2. These, and others, are also diseases that are known to be caused or worsened by carbon monoxide.

Due to biological reasons, the immune system of women is less affected by CO than is the case with men. This explains why men are more prone to catch the coronavirus, and die from it, than women.

In Europe, Italy has been hit the hardest by the coronavirus. Reliable data show that of all infected Italians, 60% are men and 40% are women. At an interval score of almost 1.300 fatal cases, 75% were men and 25% were women. The fatality among infected men was 7,2%, where for women the fatality was 4,1%.

And in Italy, like in China, the air pollution in the big cities is severe, due to the millions of scooters that are very popular with commuters. However, these scooters usually have no catalytic converter in their exhausts, so they emit huge quantities of CO, NOx and fine dust. All these are bad for human health, but CO is most dangerous and acute. And in Italy, like in all of Europe and most of the US, it is winter and thus heating season!

So far the typical victim of the coronavirus is a person who already suffers from chronic diseases that are linked with smoking and/or air pollution, indoors and outdoors. Nevertheless, in all cases, it is worthwhile to check with a breath analysis if there is an underlying case of CO intoxication, because this explains and worsens most of the symptoms. And íf CO is involved, the patient may benefit more from a re-breathing mask than from treatment with oxygen because a re-breathing mask helps the body to get rid of the carbon monoxide.[1]

[1] Last week the American toxicologist and CO expert Albert Donnay posted tips and suggestions on the internet and on YouTube on how to use the re-breathing principle, even with very simple means.