Chinese doctors have transplanted the lungs of a patient who has COVID-19, a disease caused by the coronavirus. The operation was successful, informs the Rzeczpospolita daily.
Lung transplant in a patient with COVID-19
The procedure was performed at Wuxi People’s Hospital. It lasted over five hours. The patient is a 59-year-old man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection in late January. Doctors say his condition is stable.
The man’s both lungs were severely damaged by infection and the transplant was the only salvation. The donor was found in another province of China – lobes of the lungs from a patient diagnosed with brain death. The operation was difficult and risky not only for the patient but also for the staff.
— The procedure had to be carried out in a special room, and all those present wore protective suits. It’s physically and mentally stressful, said Dr. Chen Jingyu, who performed the transplant, after the operation.
The lungs have started working, so Chinese medics can talk about a great success. Now they have to monitor the patient’s condition and make sure that the body does not reject the transplant. Doctors’ achievement may prove crucial for other patients suffering from the COVID-19 coronavirus, in whom lung transplantation may be the only chance for a cure.
Over the past few weeks, the rapidly spreading virus has infected tens of thousands of people around the world. In 80 percent in patients, the infection is mild. The disease is most dangerous for the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases. For most, it causes a flu-like infection.
Typical symptoms of COVID-19 disease have:
- cough,
- shortness of breath
- high fever,
- feeling crashed.
Symptoms usually appear between the second and tenth day after infection. It happens, however, that the disease “hatches” for longer, up to 24 days. Importantly, not all carriers experience symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus. In some people, the infection is asymptomatic, but during this time they can infect others.
This may interest you:
- Where is the COVID-19 coronavirus? See how the epidemic spreads [MAPA]
- Symptoms of COVID-19 infection you need to know
- The 10 most common questions about the coronavirus
You haven’t been able to find the cause of your ailments for a long time? Do you want to tell us your story or draw attention to a common health problem? Write to the address [email protected] #Together we can do more
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.