COVID-19 will never be like the Flu. Never. At least not for the brain. I would love to be wrong; please prove me wrong with evidence and real science! It is quite simple. #SARSCoV2 can access the brain using several different mechanisms that Influenza cannot. A: Viral infection of peripheral nerves (like olfactory bulb) B: Damage of infected endothelial cells C: Hijacking immune cells D: Viral opening of tight junctions Some studies show that some flu strains can use one or other mechanisms, and brain invasion can happen, but it is a weaker and rarer event. The same is true for other viruses. I have spent hundreds of hours in the microscope looking at the worst viruses can do to the brain, including the Zika virus, HIV, Flu, and others. I've never seen the type of damage SARS-CoV-2 leaves behind after infection with other viruses. I cannot comment on what happens in other organs, but #LongCovid can be caused by brain damage. It exists and is real.
@DaniBeckman I have not seen studies that showed active SARS-CoV-2 virus in the spinal fluid or in the brain tissue on autopsy. I think there is no direct invasion of the virus of the brain, but there are immune-mediated responses.
@DaniBeckman I wonder whether stimulant medication use might make one more susceptible due to the impact on junctions…🤔
@DaniBeckman Does this happen in every COVID case?
@DaniBeckman Can we discuss the frontal and temporal lobes specifically?
@DaniBeckman Can we discuss the frontal and temporal lobes specifically?