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Published on: Apr 06, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

MicroRNA That Makes Them Fight COVID Better ?

Recently you may have read a New Delhi based International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) sequenced the genome (genetic data) of SARS-COV-2 (coronavirus) from India, Italy, US, Nepal and Wuhan, China. They found that the Indian variant of SARS-CoV2 has the potential to be targeted by antiviral RNA within host cells, a feature that is unique to the Indian strain.

This amazing finding has been published on blogs, newspapers and other media as proof that Indians may not suffer as much as the rest of the world when the COVID-19 pandemic hits the country. One headline touted “MicroRNA in Indians may reduce severity of corona attack”, stating “Indians have comparatively better immunity compared to other countries”. Of course this article is being forwarded on WhatsApp, and enough people may take it as gospel. Is it true?

No.

If you want to know why, just look on the Journal’s website:

“these are preliminary reports that have not been peer-reviewed. They should NOT be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behaviour, or be reported in news media as established information.”

Research is not easy. I could write a very long explanation for why, but I have summarised it below.

SUMMARY:

- To prove x causes y up to a high scientific standard is incredibly difficult

- Even if you think x causes y, someone might find a flaw in your study

- Numbers can be manipulated by statistics to show what you want to believe

- Reporters might not understand the study and mis-report it

- We all want to believe there is a magic cure that will protect us, that makes us special, immune to this disaster so we can get on with our lives. Unfortunately there simply isn’t one. And believing in them without fact checking can cause more harm than good.

IMMUNITY AGAINST COVID

So what about this study? Firstly it is looking at one tiny mechanism in a cell, when a cell can have millions of proteins responsible for a billion different functions in just the cell itself. Secondly it is not peer reviewed. This means no one has fact checked the study to check whether the design is valid, whether the statistics hold up, whether they have missed something or are making incorrect conclusions based off their data. Peer-reviewing a recent paper showing SARS-CoV-2 and HIV were extremely similar disproved this paper as false.

In the authors defence he acknowledges this:

“In our study, which is a purely computational one, we predicted that this microRNA binds to the SARS-Cov2 genome submitted from India. However, it is too early to comment on it because there is only one high coverage sequence from India, so far,”

Thirdly, the news article says that Indians have better immunity because of this “microRNA”. This is wrong. The study sequenced the genome of the virus, not of the Indian population. Antiviral microRNA is found in all people. The study simply suggests that this might be more effective at targeting the Indian strain of COVID, but it does not make any concrete claims that Indians are protected from COVID.

Again, the journal even states this:

“These are preliminary reports that have not been peer-reviewed. They should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or be reported in news media as established information.”

But most importantly, even if the paper suggests that the Indian strain may be less potent, it does not give us an excuse to be reckless. We have to adhere to social distancing, hygiene, lockdown principles in order to prevent infection. Because what happens if you take the article stating “Indians have comparatively better immunity compared to other countries” as fact, use this as an excuse to go about your regular daily lives, and it actually turns out that the microRNA has little to no effect on COVID. This endangers yourself and those around you.

Be sensible. Listen to public health officials.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

Read Blog

why fatigue should not be ignored

Feeling tired occasionally is a normal response to physical exertion, lack of sleep or emotional stress. However, when fatigue becomes persistent, overwhelming or unexplained, it should not be dismissed. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms reported in healthcare, yet it is also one of the most frequently ignored.

Understanding why fatigue should not be ignored is essential because it often acts as an early warning sign of deeper physical or mental health issues.

What Is Fatigue?

Fatigue is a state of ongoing physical, mental or emotional exhaustion that:

lasts longer than expected
interferes with daily activities
does not improve with rest or sleep

Unlike ordinary tiredness, fatigue affects motivation, concentration and overall functioning.

Why Fatigue Is Commonly Ignored

Fatigue is often dismissed because:

busy lifestyles normalise exhaustion
symptoms develop gradually
people attribute fatigue to stress or ageing
rest temporarily masks the issue

Ignoring fatigue allows underlying conditions to progress unnoticed.

Common Medical Causes of Persistent Fatigue

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies in:

iron
vitamin B12
vitamin D
magnesium

can significantly reduce energy levels and cause weakness.

Anaemia

Anaemia reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, leading to:

constant tiredness
breathlessness
dizziness

It is one of the most common yet underdiagnosed causes of fatigue.

Thyroid Disorders

Both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions affect metabolism.

Symptoms include:

fatigue
weight changes
cold or heat intolerance

Thyroid-related fatigue often persists despite rest.

Chronic Infections

Low-grade or unresolved infections keep the immune system activated, causing prolonged fatigue.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones regulate energy, sleep and metabolism.

Imbalance may lead to:

exhaustion
poor sleep
low motivation

Poor Sleep Quality

Even with sufficient sleep duration, poor sleep quality can cause fatigue due to:

sleep apnea
frequent awakenings
stress-related insomnia

Mental Health Conditions

Anxiety, depression and chronic stress commonly present with fatigue as a primary symptom.

Mental fatigue is as real and impactful as physical fatigue.

Lifestyle Factors That Worsen Fatigue

Certain habits intensify tiredness:

irregular meals
excessive caffeine
dehydration
lack of physical activity
prolonged screen use

Lifestyle-related fatigue often coexists with medical causes.

How Fatigue Affects Daily Life

Persistent fatigue impacts:

work performance
concentration and memory
emotional regulation
physical activity
social relationships

Over time, quality of life declines significantly.

Warning Signs That Fatigue Needs Medical Attention

Seek evaluation if fatigue:

lasts more than two weeks
worsens progressively
occurs with weight loss or fever
is associated with breathlessness
interferes with daily tasks

These signs suggest an underlying issue.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

Early identification of fatigue causes:

prevents disease progression
simplifies treatment
improves recovery time
restores normal energy levels

Delayed care often leads to chronic complications.

Diagnostic Evaluation for Fatigue

Assessment may include:

detailed history
blood tests
nutritional screening
hormonal evaluation
sleep assessment

Testing helps identify root causes rather than treating symptoms alone.

Can Fatigue Be Prevented?

Some preventive measures include:

balanced nutrition
adequate hydration
regular physical activity
consistent sleep routine
stress management

However, prevention does not replace evaluation when fatigue persists.

Fatigue and Chronic Disease Risk

Long-term fatigue may be linked to:

cardiovascular disease
metabolic disorders
immune dysfunction

This makes fatigue an important early health signal.

When Rest Is Not Enough

If energy does not return after:

adequate sleep
reduced workload
lifestyle changes

medical evaluation is essential.

The Cost of Ignoring Fatigue

Ignoring fatigue can lead to:

delayed diagnosis
worsening health conditions
reduced productivity
emotional burnout

Listening to the body early prevents long-term consequences.

Conclusion

Fatigue is not merely a sign of a busy life—it is often the body’s way of signalling imbalance or illness. Persistent tiredness that does not improve with rest should never be ignored. Whether caused by nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, chronic stress or underlying disease, fatigue deserves attention. Early evaluation and timely care can restore energy, prevent complications and significantly improve quality of life. Listening to fatigue is an act of self-care and preventive health.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Fatigue and Lifestyle Health Report
World Health Organization (WHO) – Chronic Fatigue and Health Guidelines
National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) – Nutrient Deficiency and Energy Research
Lancet – Fatigue as a Marker of Chronic Disease Studie
Indian Journal of Medicine – Persistent Fatigue and Diagnosis
Statista – Fatigue, Stress and Health Trend Analysis

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