The dreaded COVID-19 effect on the body

Corona virus belongs to a family of sickness which include the common cold, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and the infamous Severe Acute Respiratory system.

The novel corona virus (nCOV) is a new strain not previously recognised in humans. Corona viruses normally affect mammals and birds and are referred to Zoonotic viruses but sometimes are transmitted from animals to people through a spill over effect. The corona virus is believed to have been transmitted to humans from bats through a pangolin as an intermediary.

Corona virus has surpassed the SARS virus transmission rate in a matter of weeks and although has a much lower death rate it spreads faster.

The virus action begins and ends in the lungs however the remainder is critical especially to the elderly and individuals whose immune system has been compromised.

When the virus cells enter the body spikes which are sticking out of the envelopes enclosing the cells look for compatible receptors within the host, enter and make copies of the virus. It is believed that they target receptors found in the lungs and small intestines similar to SARS.

Upon infection the following stages follow:

· Viral replication

· Hyper reactivity of the immune system

· Pulmonary destruction

The virus invades the mucous and cilia cells lining the lungs, where killing the cilia cells which then slough off into the air ways filling them with debris and fluid.

Common symptoms here are fever, coughing and breathing difficulties and pneumonia in both lungs.

Patient needing breathing assistance

The immune system then reacts and starts fighting the infection which results in inflammation which in most times is contained but overreaction of the immune system damages healthy tissues killing more cells which slough off further filling the lungs.

As more cells die filling the lungs this leads respiratory failure, permanent lung damage and even death. SARS has been known to cause holes in the lungs similar to honeycomb as a result of the immune system overreaction. The scars in turn stiffen the lungs with the affected individuals requiring ventilation to breath.

The immune system reaction in the lungs causes the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) which is the site of exchange between CO2 and O2 from the freshly breathed air to become more permeable. This increase permeability causes fluid to leak into the lungs decreasing the ability to deoxygenate blood flooding them making it hard to breathe and this can be fatal.

The immune system alarm (Cytokine) is also raised to combat the infection and with increased production and activity results to large scale inflammation all over the body making more blood vessels permeable leaking fluids making it hard for blood to reach the rest of the body resulting in multi organ failure in most severe cases leading to death.

In as much as the corona virus is un-treatable its symptoms can be managed through supportive care similar to other viruses.