Covid-19 might scar you for life by giving you an irreversible lung problem

You might survive covid-19, but you'll have to deal with irreversible lung ailments for the rest of your life.
lungs
Lung damage may be inevitable in covid-19. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Team Health Shots Published: 24 Jun 2020, 10:34 am IST
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During this covid-19 pandemic, researchers from all over the world have been giving a heads-up to those who smoke. Not to mention, there have been numerous reports that have said that people who smoke are more vulnerable to coronavirus. 

You see, covid-19 is a respiratory disease and if you smoke then your lungs are already in a compromised state. On top of that, if you get SARS-CoV-2 infection then there are more chances of you getting severe lung problems.

And this new study is making things on this front clearer than ever. It says that even if you survive covid-19, the disease can scar you for life by damaging your lungs. And mind it that this damage might be irreversible. 

A leaked guidance from the UK National Health Service (NHS) has warned that up to 30% of covid-19 survivors may suffer long-term lung damage which is “irreversible” along with “psychological impairments”.

Now think, if a non-smoker can get a damaged lung then what will happen to those whose lungs are already damaged due to smoking.   

smoking
Smoking and covid-19 is a lethal combo. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Almost 30% of the covid-19 survivors have shown lung damage
We have already seen that other deadly coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS are known to cause “persistent” damage to the lungs.

The leaked NHS guidance read: “Approximately 30% of survivors of the global SARS outbreak caused by SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV experienced persistent physiological impairment and abnormal radiology consistent with fibrotic lung disease.”

“It is envisaged that pulmonary fibrosis [lung damage and scarring] is likely to be an important sequela/condition which is the consequence of Covid-19,” it said.

However, the evidence on covid-19 is murky as scientists spotted the novel coronavirus only six months ago in the Chinese city of Wuhan, reports The Daily Mail.

Covid-19 survivors could also face chronic fatigue syndrome
“The guidance also reportedly warned that one in seven patients who fought for their lives in intensive care may be struck down with lasting brain damage,” according to The Daily Mail.

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About 70% of the covid-19 survivors will suffer delirium which will lead to “established cognitive impairment” in one in five cases.

Organ damage such as the heart, liver, kidneys, and blood vessels has also been witnessed in coronavirus infection.

kidney disease
Multiple organ failure like kidney and heart is also seen in covid-19. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

The government of India needs to be more vigilant. The over growing numbers of covid-19 patients and this report is a wake-up call for them. They need to start making some contingency plans for those who survive this pandemic because after all this is over, there might be a need for hospitals to tackle the lung damage caused by covid-19.

So, stay safe and stay at home if you don’t want to invite unwanted disorders that can make your life harder in the future.

 (With inputs from IANS)

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