Respiratory System and Covid -19

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus and disease. It is spread by small droplets from coughs and sneezes and from touching infected surfaces. As of posting date, we know that at least 80 percent of people who are infected with the virus will have anywhere from no symptoms to mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, including a fever and cough. The remaining 20 percent may develop more severe cases of coronavirus may develop pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome.

How Does COVID-19 Affect the Lungs?

Coronavirus can affect the upper respiratory system (nose, sinuses and throat) with flu-like symptoms, the lower respiratory system (airways and lungs) by causing cough with or without mucous and difficulty breathing. When COVID-19 is severe it can bring on pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

When Coronavirus is Severe

If COVID-19 goes deep into the lungs, it can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is a concern for older people because they have reduced lung capacity, require longer recover time and have age-weakened immune systems.

Pneumonia that is caused by coronavirus may be more severe, affect many parts of the lungs, and cause shock, organ damage, abnormal blood clotting, acute respiratory distress syndrome and deteriorating health.

How Pneumonia Affects the Lungs

When healthy lungs inhale, the lungs and their 480 million tiny air sacs (alveoli) fill with oxygen. These little air sacs get rid of carbon dioxide when you exhale and pass oxygen into the blood vessels.

Pneumonia causes the air sacs to become infected and inflamed. This causes fluid and inflammatory cells to build up in the lungs and prevents oxygen from getting through, causing severe breathing difficulties and lack of oxygen in the blood.

Symptoms of Severe Pneumonia Caused by Coronavirus

Fever
Fatigue
Cough (with and without mucous)
Loss of appetite
Muscle aches
Significant shortness of breath
Chest pain (especially under the breastbone)
Rapid breathing
Sweats
Headache
Weakness