KOMPAS.com- Pandemic corona virus has claimed the lives of more than 1 million people and infected more than 33 million people worldwide.
New types of viral infections, SARS-CoV-2 it has had a tremendous impact, especially on the health of the world’s people.
This virus infects a wide variety of people with various accompanying health conditions. However, it turns out that those who can be infected are not only of an older age, or only have comorbid conditions.
Young people who appear healthy do not always have mild symptoms, but they can also become infected with serious illness.
Corona virus just gave birth to a new disease that we now know as Covid-19, with infections affecting the respiratory organs and other organs of the body.
Also read: The Impact of Corona Virus Infection on Children is Potentially Longer, How Come?
Various unusual symptoms also continue to show the virus infection that was first discovered in China.
Then, what about the long-term impact coronavirus infection this to health?
Launch ABC NewsOn Wednesday (30/09/2020) virologist at the University of Queensland, Kirsty Short said the virus was still new, making it difficult to calculate how many people who contracted Covid-19 would face medium or long-term health impacts.
“This (health effect) is bound to happen, it’s just that we don’t know how common it is,” said Dr Kirsty.
Also read: New Symptoms of Corona Virus, Small Lumps on the Tongue Could Be Covid-19
In July, researchers in Italy found that nearly 90 percent of patients with acute Covid-19 infection still experienced symptoms for two months after recovering.
Meanwhile, in the United States and Britain, a study was conducted by looking at more people who were affected by Covid-19.
As a result, this study shows that around 10 percent to 15 percent of patients still have symptoms of Covid-19.
People who are asymptomatic or who have mild symptoms may also be at risk for other long-term illnesses.
Despite the corona virus, SARS-CoV-2 is considered a respiratory virus that attacks the lung organs, but it turns out that the damage caused can affect other organs.
Viruses that infect body cells are linked to ACE2 receptors which are also found in the respiratory tract, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver and digestive tract.
Researchers suspect that the high level of inflammation in the body is due to the immune system trying to fight off the virus, causing a variety organ damage.
“This is almost certainly an immune response, because we looked at symptoms in patients who tested negative for the virus,” added Dr Kirsty.
Also read: Nasal Spray Can Stop Corona Virus Replication, Scientists Explain
Covid-19 can damage many organs in the body, including the following.
- Lungs: The virus enters the respiratory cells and causes damage to the lung organs. The tissue damage makes it difficult for the lungs to do their job of oxidizing blood and makes it difficult for people to breathe or gas for breath.
- Heart: Coronavirus infection can cause inflammation of the heart muscle or heart failure. If this organ is unable to pump blood properly, the heart can also stop due to lack of oxygen.
- Brain: The impact of this virus can also cause severe infection of the brain. Neurological symptoms are also caused by inflammation in the brain caused by blood clots.
A number of Covid-19 patients who have recovered report feeling tired, have difficulty exercising, even months after recovering from the disease.
Dr Kirsty said post-Covid fatigue was actually seen in other viral infections, although the impact was different.
“We know that the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes glandular fever, was also associated with chronic fatigue syndrome afterward,” said Dr Kirsty.
Also read: Corona Virus, What is the Impact of Covid-19 on the Human Brain?
Dr Linda Gallo, a researcher from the University of Queensland who is studying how the corona virus affects the heart said that from the evidence she knows, SARS also affects the heart.
“But it generally doesn’t last beyond recovery. Covid appears to be behaving a little differently,” explained Dr Linda.
There is a lot of research being done to investigate whether Covid-19 will have any lasting health effects.
Dr Kirsty added that without a long-term study, it would be difficult to know how much we should be concerned about Covid-19 compared to other viruses.
However, Dr Kirsty revealed that the appearance of symptoms of the disease after recovering from Covid-19 is an important reminder to prevent the corona virus.
– .