PainRelief.com Interview with:
Rajesh Khanna, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology, Anesthesiology and Neuroscience
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85724
PainRelief.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: SARS-COV-2 infection can be spread by asymptomatic, presymptomatic, and symptomatic carriers. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by asymptomatic or presymptomatic individuals may account for half of the spread, which may be why the virus has been so difficult to contain. The data from our study shows that the Spike protein, the major surface antigen of SARS-CoV-2, is analgesic. Therefore, an explanation for the unabated spread may be that asymptomatic or presymptomatic individuals do not experience the pain and discomfort that act as early warning signs of infection.