Understanding the Covid-19 Risk Factors
The novel coronavirus or (SARS-CoV-2) is an acute respiratory syndrome causing covid-19. This chronic disease is spread from person to person through close contact or cough droplets from an infected person. Cases of covid-19 increase daily all over the globe. Despite the measures to curb the spread and fatality, the elderly with underlying medical conditions sadly succumb to Covid-19. Covid-19 is predominantly categorized as a respiratory disease on close examination at Covid testing in Princeton, NJ; it is a multi-system infection. Covid breaches the body defense systems and allows opportunistic diseases to invade the body and escalate the effects of SARS-CoV-2. This article delves into the risk factors you need to manage when infected with Covid-19.
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Table of Contents
Asthma
Asthma is a risk factor associated with covid-19. Initially, doctors did not attribute asthma as one of the risk factors. However, the prevalence of Covid-19 infections in asthma patients necessitated a study. Asthma causes disease in the lower respiratory tract. Acute asthma delays interferon response, which controls the replication of the virus in the body. However, other factors like age and gender also significantly influence the impact of asthma on a covid positive patient. You should visit a clinician to accurately determine the type of asthma that complicates Covid-19 and develop a personalized action plan to control asthma.
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Advanced chronic kidney disease may make you prone to severe COVID-19 illness. Various stages of CKD affect covid patients differently. A study of Chronic Kidney Disease patients’ cohorts exhibits a high mortality rate on the onset of Covid infection. Coronavirus causes inflammation of nephrons impairing kidney functions. Renal failure causes cytokine storms, which lead to multiple organ failure and eventual death when not managed. Kidney specialists at Princeton recommend replication-defective viral-vectored vaccines to cure coronavirus diseases while undergoing regular dialysis.
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Thalassemia
This is a blood condition characterized by scant amounts of oxygen-carrying protein. Thalassemia symptoms include:
- Pale skin
- Dark Urine
- Fatigue
Patients with severe thalassemia are susceptible to adverse effects of covid such as shortness of breath. Low hemoglobin content deprives the lungs of oxygen. Anaerobic respiration ensues, and lactic acid deposits build up in the muscles, causing fatigue. Sickle cell disease is controllable by blood transfusions. It is imperative to speak to a physician for a suitable vaccine to curb covid while undergoing gene therapy for thalassemia.
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Neurological Disorders
A study of positive covid individuals using RT- PCR technique revealed the prevalence of neurological disorders amongst SARS-CoV-2 patients. Down’s syndrome and other impairments cause coma and stroke in covid patients. The brain’s coordination with the respiratory system handles various body functions, such as respiration and breathing. Deviation from the normal brain function may induce positive feedback in somebody’s organs instead of negative feedback, causing homeostasis imbalance. The imbalance largely interferes with interferon response; thus, SARS-CoV-2 replicates, worsening the disease.
Conclusion
The covid-19 pandemic is devastating, and it is vital to understand the various risk factors to protect you and your loved ones. Regular covid testing and adhering to the preventive measures are the noblest things you’ll do regarding your health. These risk factors are manageable when detected early; therefore, visit a Covid-19 testing center today.