Physical Wellness

How does the novel Coronavirus affects human lungs: Here are the details

Since 2019, coronavirus has victimised many lives. Many of them lost their lives and on the other hand, many of them suffered from life-long complications most common complication of all is the complication in the lungs.

Published:
29 May 2021 11:00am IST

The entire world is grappling with the Covid-19. pandemic. The combined efforts of the government, health care workers and people from other sectors have helped to maintain several restrictions in order to restrict the spread of this fatal disease.

The second wave of Covid is definitely more aggressive and harmful than the initial one.

It is extremely important for us to know how this virus affects our body.

Coronavirus is encapsulated, single-stranded RNA virus that generally causes mild cold, running nose and headache in human beings.

However, they may even lead to life-threatening conditions such as acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome(MERS). SARS Co V-2(Covid-19) usually presents with mild non-specific symptoms like fever, malaise, headache and myalgia.

Loss of smell and taste, although widely considered confirmatory has not been found in all patients and can also occur in almost all viral fevers. About 80% of patients exhibit these mild symptoms and recover with adequate rest and home care.

In the remaining 20% of cases, these conditions accelerate to severe complications like bronchitis, pneumonia, internal haemorrhages, clot formations etc.

Autopsy reports of Covid-19 patients say that microscopic lumps of blood clots were found in all phases of severe Covid-19 cases, which lead to the progression of the disease-causing development of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

This happens when the epithelial membrane lining the inner surface of the lungs get inflamed or filled with liquid or puss, making it difficult for proper gas exchange. This phenomenon lowers the oxygen saturation level in the blood.

This further leads to decreased oxygen exchange in the organ system leading to visceral damage.

The risk group includes people who are old age of 60 years and above. People suffering from other chronic illnesses like Chronic Lung Disease, Heart disease, organ failure etc.One who has a history of recurrent or recent respiratory infection. One who suffers from weak immunity, have habits of smoking and drinking, obese or have diabetes mellitus.

Autopsy reports of Covid-19 patients say that microscopic lumps of blood clots were found in all phases of severe Covid-19 cases, which lead to the progression of the disease-causing development of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Although the lung parenchyma seemed normal during the early stages, there were notable levels of oxygenation disturbance in patients. Multiple organ dysfunction was found in the patients.

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism were clearly visible in some cases.

Apart from these, symptoms like fever, myalgia, headache, bronchitis, throat and ear infections have been seen at mild and moderate levels.