Have we treated COVID-19 poorly so far? British scientists recommend an individual approach to each case

As we learn more and more symptoms accompanying COVID-19, we find out how much this infection differs from the known ailments of the upper respiratory tract. After several months of coronavirus research, having already a large amount of knowledge, should we approach the treatment process differently? British scientists suggest that due to the wide range of symptoms, each case should be treated individually and the therapy should be selected in this regard.

1. The list of COVID-19 symptoms is long, ranging from fever, diarrhea, chest pain, to the “covid finger”
2. The coronavirus affects the endothelium, which is the layer of cells that line the inside of blood vessels
3. The cytokine storm accompanying a strong inflammatory reaction occurs at the first stage of coronavirus infection. Another is clotting problems and the formation of blood clots in the lungs, heart and brain
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

A long list of COVID-19 symptoms

In January, when the coronavirus was already wreaking havoc in Wuhan and we knew almost nothing about it, we were convinced that COVID-19 was a common respiratory disease. WHO described the symptoms as “mostly fever, sometimes difficulty breathing”, some patients developed pneumonia.

1. COVID-19 symptom, which is more common in young people

In late January, when the first cases were confirmed in the UK, England’s chief physician Professor Chris Whitty described COVID-19 as “a relatively benign disease.” He added that the person affected would be treated “like any case of respiratory disease”.

However, as time passed, the list of symptoms grew longer.

“Patients have a wide variety of symptoms, and many are not directly related to infection,” said Professor Ajay Shah, a cardiologist at King’s College, London. – There are diarrhea, confusion, chest pains.

Long to exchange. Some patients report rashes such as “covid toes” on the feet. And when the cough and fever go away, sufferers may experience a heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. There is a study proving that heart problems contributed to 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths.

How can flu-like illness have such different symptoms?

– I think we should start with the fact that it is not a simple infection – says prof. Shah. You might think that people who have had respiratory problems before are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma from severe COVID-19. Meanwhile, the likelihood of severe COVID is much greater if the patient has underlying cardiovascular disease.

In an article published in the prestigious medical journal “The Lancet”, we read that COVID-19 affects the endothelium, i.e. the layer of cells lining the inside of blood vessels, and at the same time affects the entire body.

1. Having a cold may increase resistance to SARS-CoV-2 –

The virus uses a specific endothelial cell receptor, says Dr. Nicola Mutch, a molecular biologist at the University of Aberdeen. – After attaching to it, it penetrates the interior of the endothelial cell and there it triggers a violent immune reaction, called a “cytokine storm.”

While it is not yet clear why the immune response varies from patient to patient, overreacting causes problems, potentially leading to organ failure and even death, added Dr Mutch. – It seems that in the case of COVID patients, it is what makes them end up in the hospital.

Prof. Shah believes that the severe course of COVID-19 can be divided into stages. The first is excessive inflammation, or a cytokine storm. The second – blood clotting disorders, or coagulopathy.

– We noticed quite early that many patients develop blood clots – explains prof. Shah. – They form in the lungs, in the heart, and even in the brain.

A study published in the journal Thrombosis Research confirms that blood clots in COVID-19 patients are associated with an increased risk of death.

This explains many complications. Dr. Mutch says: “If there is a systemic clotting problem, it’s easy to imagine that the disease is getting out of control and beginning to affect different organs. For example, a stroke or multiple organ failure can occur as a direct result of a blood clot preventing blood flow. ‘ This does not mean that we do not have treatments.

1. “I went to sleep and I wasn’t sure if I would still be alive in the morning”

“Luckily, we have quite a few anticoagulants,” adds Dr. Mutch.

We can even cure inflammation. Dr. Mutch explains: “It is possible to treat the inflammatory reaction to stop the thrombosis. For example, with the cheap steroid dexamethasone. Already in June, it was shown that it reduced by a third the number of deaths among patients connected to ventilators.

– COVID-19 is a very complicated disease that is not the same for everyone, sums up Prof. Shah. – We need to carefully look at each patient individually and then decide what treatment is best in this particular case.

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