Search This Blog

Followers

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Bacteria (Microbiome) and Fungi in our bodies and on our skin affect COVID-19 severity

from HERE & NOW (NPR program 4/16/2020)

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, scientists are racing to unravel every aspect of how this novel virus behaves. The elderly, those with pre-existing conditions and those in disadvantaged communities with less access to health care have the worst outcomes.
But what scientists don't understand is why some people who fall outside those groups are also being hospitalized — in some cases dying — while others are not.
Among those trying to figure that out is Dr. Ronald Collman, a microbiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (@PennMicro), who thinks that our microbiome — the bacteria and fungi that live in our bodies and on our skin — may be playing a role. He joins host Robin Young to discuss his research.

No comments: