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Although the new coronavirus pandemic (covid-19) remains a mystery in many ways, what doctors and researchers around the world already know is that the lung is not the only lung, but is the organ most affected by the disease. . “This virus, despite having a certain predilection for the lung, can affect other organs. The lung is the most affected organ. Despite this, we cannot forget the other organs. We put all our energy into giving oxygen to these patients, but we forgot to do an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram, “Dr. Patricia Rocco, full professor and director of the Lung Research Laboratory of the Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute (UFRJ), explained to Patricia Brazil and member of the National Academy of Medicine and Science of Brazil.
The researcher explained that when entering the body, through droplets of saliva, sneezing or even contaminated hands that reach the face, the virus binds to receptors distributed throughout the body. In the lungs, it infects the cells in the alveoli, where gases exchange between the lung and the bloodstream, from this moment on, this virus begins to multiply, kills the host cell and is released to contaminate other cells. “At the same time, you have a stimulus in the cells of the immune system. They begin to activate and release a series of mediators that generate local inflammation in the lung and throughout the body as well, “he said. “This inflammation of the lung generates pneumonia with various parts of the lung affected and, in the most severe cases, it can generate what we call respiratory failure,” he added.
Aftermath
Regarding the possible sequelae in the lung caused by the new coronavirus, Patrícia Rocco said that there is still no work in the world that affirms categorically if this happens. According to her, there are several studies carried out from autopsies. These patients who died of covid-19 had a process of pulmonary fibrosis, which is a type of sequel. “The group from Europe, which is ahead of us regarding covid-19, observed that patients who remain in the ICU for a long time may develop sequelae, but we cannot say whether the sequel is due to covid disease- 19 or because of these Patients are mechanically ventilated for a long time. Mechanical ventilation for a long time can also generate pulmonary fibrosis, which is what we call a sequel, “he explained.
The expert added that people who come out of this serious infectious process may tire more to the point of not being able to carry out their activities with such agility. These patients also experience shortness of breath, but it is not yet possible to say whether these consequences can be attributed to the virus or whether the damage will be forever.
Smokers
Dr. Patrícia Rocco also issued a warning to smokers, which she divided into two groups: those who do not yet have significant lung disorders and those who have so-called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking alone already causes an inflammatory process in the lungs. If this patient has emphysema or any other chronic respiratory disease due to smoking, it has been proven that covid-19 will present more serious cases, “he warned.
SOURCE: Agência Brasil
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