HOW PATIENT RECOVER FROM CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
HOW THE CORONAVIRUS ATTACKS THE LUNGS
1. The new coronavirus
usually enters the body through the nose or mouth and eventually settles in the
air sacs or alveoli inside lugs.
2. The virus hijacks
cells in the alveoli and begins making copies of itself until the host cell
dies, allowing the virus to spread and attack neighboring cells.
3. When the virus
hijacks cells, it prompts immune response in the form of inflammation. This
leads to the accumulations of fluid in the alveoli, which causes a dry cough or
shortness of breath.
4. In severe cases,
inflammations in the lungs can lead to a cytokine storm, which is a
complication common among respiratory illnesses, including Sars and Mers. A
cytokine storm is the results of the immune system causing hyper inflammation
and harms the body more than it helps.
5. If too many alveoli
collapse a patient will require a ventilator to help with breathing. In very
severe cases, patients may develop systemic inflammatory response syndrome ,
which can lead to septic shock and multiple organ failure. This has been
recorded as a cause of death for covid-19 patients.
IT CAN TAKE UP TO SIX WEEKS TO RECOVER
1. About 80-85% of
covid-19 patients suffer mild or moderate cases of infection. But in 15-20%
cases, patients can experience severe symptoms. It can take up to six weeks to
fully recover from covid-19, experts says and even months in some severe cases.
MILD CASES -
2. Most cases are mild.
They face fatigue, cough, muscle aches, fever and chest discomfort. Such
patients typically recover in about two weeks after the symptoms run their
course, much like in the case of the flu. They can self isolate and recover at
home. Some however may become infected but won't show ant symptoms and will
recover without knowing they were sick.
MODERATE CASES -
3. The limited data
available on moderate cases of covid-19 suggests patients often feel a
shortness of breath requiring at least a few days of hospitalization and oxygen
support.
4. Some patients develop
high fever or diarrheal illness which makes them dehydrate and requires use of
IV fluids.
SEVERE CASES -
5. In the most severe
cases, patients may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, which causes
the lungs to fill up with fluid and restricts breathing. They require
mechanical ventilators usually for couple of weeks.
6. Older patients and
those with pre-existing conditions like heart disease are among the least to
recover from acute respiratory distress syndrome because of their weaker immune
system. As of last week more than 60% of deaths in India were in the 60 plus
age group. However a young person is not guaranteed to recover from acute
respiratory distress syndrome.
7. Acute respiratory
distress syndrome has a mortality rate is 30-40%. Those who get acute
respiratory distress syndrome due to trauma, for example as the results of a
car accident are more likely to recover than who get acute respiratory distress
syndrome due to infection. The mortality rate for acute respiratory distress
syndrome due to infections is up to 60%. Older people are more likely to get
acute respiratory distress syndrome as a result of an infection. However these
mortality rates for acute respiratory distress syndrome are not coronavirus specific.
8. Before patients can
be removed from ventilators, they must be awake enough to swallow while
protecting their airways. They must have a low need for oxygen support and be
able to clear enough carbon dioxide.
9. Patients who
successfully recover after ventilation may experience weight loss some weakness
and in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder.
10. Some patients who do
not respond well to ventilation may suffer significant lung fibrosis - scarring
of lungs and reduce lung function - that may become a long term issue beyond
coronavirus.
DISCHARGE PROTOCOL-
1. The global standard
generally requires patients to test negative in two consecutive test in 24
hours apart. But the specifics of the discharge protocols vary by country.
2. In China, patients
are considered cured if they aren't feverish for three or more days and show
reduction in lung inflammation. The US centre of disease control and prevention
also requires at least a weeks to pass since the first symptoms were recorded
even in mild and moderate cases. Some countries including India, also mandate a
14 day self quarantine after being discharged.
3. Patients can be
discharged even if they need supplemental oxygen and other assistance. At the
very least they need to be able to move around and feed themselves.
4. In some severe cases,
patients may spend two to three weeks in an ICU followed by a few days in a
medical ward. Some may require an additional week or two in hospital to regain
their strength. Some patients may need to go to a rehabilitation facility or a
nursing facility before they are ready to go home.
All above information's
are informative and collect form media sources and newspaper.
Only purpose is made
awareness about the coronavirus and stop spreading coronavirus.
We need to follow our government laws and
initiative, which is taken for our safety. And respect the our coronavirus
fighter Doctors, Nurse and Policeman's, they are dying to protect us, respect
and salute them and pray for good health for them - STAY AT HOME AND BE SAFE