BONUS EPISODE The Immune System and Covid with Professor Danny Altmann
26th Apr 2021
Today I’m speaking with Professor Danny Altmann from Imperial College about Covid-19 and the post viral syndrome associated with its infection currently referred to as “Long Covid”.
Not a lot is known about this chronic condition which for some people is absolutely debilitating, it could affect 500,000 people in the UK or more and we really need to further research this condition and build the infrastructure to tackle it.
Professor Altmann heads a lab at the Hammersmith Hospital Campus of Imperial. Key research interests are the immunology of infectious disease including severe bacterial infections, Zika virus and Chikungunya virus. Other projects focus on autoimmune disease including the role of the microbiota in rheumatoid arthritis.
Today we refresh our memories about what we know about covid:
- Danny gives us a quick recap on the immune system
- How the virus enters cells via the ACE-2 receptor which is found on multiple sites of the body
- The inflammasome, why it’s useful and what goes wrong with covid
- The >50 symptoms of long covid including fatigue, headache, loss of attention and SOB
- The theoretical mechanisms of long covid – multi organ fibrosis, persistent undetected infection, AI/inflammatory conditions
- The parallels with other post viral syndromes such as EBV and post Ebola
- Diagnostic uncertainty in Medicine
- Vaccine and Variants
- The different types of Antibodies
Episode guests
Danny Altmann is a Professor of Immunology who has been based at the Hammersmith Hospital campus of Imperial College since 1994. He runs an immunology research lab which has a focus on HLA genes, T cells and NK cells in autoimmunity and infectious disease. Many of the research projects are run collaboratively with Professor Rosemary Boyton
References/sources
- Access over 800 research backed recipes
- Personalise food for your unique health needs
- Bone health
- Brain health
- Cancer
- Children's health
- Cooking skills
- Exercise
- Farming and food production
- Foods & nutrients
- Gut health
- Health basics
- Healthy ageing
- Heart health
- Hormonal health
- Hot topics
- Immune health
- Inflammation
- Kidney & bladder health
- Life purpose & motivation
- Menopause
- Mental health
- Oral health
- Skin health
- Sleep health
- Type 2 diabetes
- Weight management
- What to eat for
- #265 The plant that reduces skin inflammation, fights disease and is even a great protein source with Dr Kyle Stewart
- #263 How to heal your gut, support your microbes and what gut supplements to steer clear of with Colorectal Surgeon Dr James Kinross
- #256 The link between inflammation mood, dementia and how to calm your mind with food, with Dr Uma Naidoo
- Habits to Relieve Hayfever, Seasonal Allergies and why we need to avoid taking antihistamines regularly with Dr Rupy Aujla
- #244 How Immunity is influenced by the Mind with Dr Monty Lyman
- #243 Spices to Reduce Inflammation with Dr Rupy Aujla
- #241 Ginger. The science and health benefits of this wonderful spice with Dr Rupy Aujla
- #236 Cloves. Nature's Natural Medicine? With Dr Rupy Aujla
- #218 Do cranberries help with UTIs? With Dr Rupy
Relevant recipes
-
New!Tofu and Tempeh 5.0
One Pan Black Bean, Tofu and Rainbow Rice Bake
-
New!Chicken 4.6
Honey Mustard Chicken Traybake
-
New!Chicken 5.0
Chicken, Broccoli and Sundried Tomato Orzotto
-
New!Stir Fries 5.0
Tofu, Peanut and Ginger Stir-fry
-
New!Soups 4.0
Butternut Squash, Red Lentil, Chickpea and Tofu Stew
-
New!Fish and Seafood 3.0
Sesame Coconut Fish Fingers with Mushy Peas, Broad Beans and Edamame
-
New!Soups
"Cheesy" Broccoli and Cannellini Bean Soup
-
New!Tofu and Tempeh
Tofu Ball and Butterbean Traybake
-
New!Curries
Tempeh and Red Lentil Keema-style Curry
-
Free!Fish and Seafood 4.9
Salmon Poached in Harissa Coconut Lentils