The most common signs that you may be infected with the new coronavirus are breathing problems. All members of the family of coronaviruses, and there are 40 species of them, affect the respiratory system, and SARS-CoV-2, in addition to contact, is transmitted, including by airborne droplets. This means that when a person coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets of liquid from the nose or mouth that enter the air can contain the virus. But what happens to the bodies of those infected with CoVID-19? Despite the fact that the main blow falls on the lungs, the process of seizure of the body by the coronavirus begins in the throat and at the first stages the symptoms may not appear in any way. In this article, you will learn what happens to the body after being infected with CoVID-19.
What is known about the new coronavirus?
At the time of this writing, the number of people infected with the new coronavirus in the world has exceeded 400,000. More than 18,000 people have died and these numbers are growing every day. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on the acceleration of the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the fact that even young people and children can have a difficult disease. Meanwhile, scientists are worried about the novelty of the virus - the fact is that experts do not know everything about it, and this makes it difficult to predict future events. Despite the fact that researchers around the world are developing a vaccine against CoVID-19, and in some countries, human trials have already begun, patient zero - the person who became infected first, has not yet been detected, as well as the natural host of the virus. However, experts managed to find outthat the coronavirus attacks two specific sets of cells in the lungs.
How does the coronavirus cause infection?
COVID-19 is transmitted through tiny, invisible droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can get on people in the vicinity or land on surfaces that others touch, potentially facilitating the transmission of viral particles from hands to eyes, nose or mouth. Once in the back of the throat and nasal passage, the viral particles bind to a specific type of receptor on the cell surface. Like any other life form, the virus just wants to survive. But for this he must first copy himself.
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Attached to cells, the coronavirus inserts its genetic material or RNA into cells. Then it captures cellular metabolism (metabolism) in order to create "replication factories" and reproduce as many copies of itself as possible. Basically, SARS-CoV-2 steals host cells.
What does CoVID-19 do to the lungs?
When the virus multiplies, it triggers the body's immune response. Once the immune system begins to fight back, people develop symptoms as previously healthy tissues are damaged and inflamed. These symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and sometimes fever. However, if the virus gets deep enough into the lungs, it can cause pneumonia, which can lead to shortness of breath and chest pain. For the bulk of those infected, this period is followed by a recovery period. Most will really get better.
How does CoVID-19 affect other parts of the body?
But the lungs are far from the only part of the body that the virus can damage. In some people, the infection causes the heart to beat irregularly and pump blood less rapidly, potentially leading to heart failure. Since the virus can be swallowed, it can also infect intestinal cells. Since the virus outbreak last December, digestive problems have been a common complaint among those infected. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the virus' genetic material is often found in blood and stool samples.
The results of a new study have shown that diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems may be some of the early signs of COVID-19. According to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, nearly half of coronavirus patients have consulted a doctor about digestion. The authors looked at data from 204 patients in China's Hubei province, where the coronavirus outbreak occurred, and found that 99 infected people had symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
What happens to the immune system of CoVID-19 patients?
As described above, the human immune system recognizes the attack of infectious agents such as viruses. However, sometimes the immune system starts working against us and attacks the cells of the body. In some cases, this leads to the development of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, psoriasis, and others. But in the case of CoVID-19, the immune system recognizes the threat, and then goes into an attack that it may not control, which leads to damage to healthy tissue. As a result, the body's efforts to fight the virus can cause inflammation in the lungs, which can make breathing even more difficult. The fact is that after the development of pneumonia, the virus can pass to the alveoli - air sacs in the blood vessels of the lungs. The alveoli are important for normal breathing,since they help gas exchange, they are very sensitive and, if damaged, can limit the oxygen saturation of the blood.
In addition, the new coronavirus could also target the kidneys, two bean-like organs that filter toxins from the blood. Due to the coronavirus, the kidneys do not function properly, which can lead to organ failure and death. WHO recommends that people over 60 years of age or people with underlying medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, avoid crowded areas to reduce the likelihood of contracting COVID-19. At the moment, although young people can also become seriously ill, the elderly are the most vulnerable group. Be healthy.
Lyubov Sokovikova
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Online map of the spread of the coronavirus.