COVID Impact on Chronic Respiratory Illnesses
Many COVID-19 symptoms are very well known today with mild symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, fevers, and more extreme symptoms such as respiratory failure. Although many of these short term effects are known, many are unaware of the longer term effects that catching COVID-19 could have on one's respiratory system. Firstly, the reason that COVID-19 has such a large impact on respiratory systems is because of the alveolar damage that it causes. COVID-19 affects gas exchange in the alveoli which are air sacs in the lungs that allow for rapid gaseous exchange in the body. COVID-19 causes inflammation and fluid buildup in alveoli which significantly affects the respiratory system (UCHealth). In some individuals, this can cause long-term lung damage. One study even found that among 89,530 COVID-19 cases, around 16% had chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Conditions involving lung disease and lung cancer were more common among these CRDs (European Respiratory Journal). Clinically, with the impact that COVID-19 has on alveoli, respiratory problems can appear as severe bronchopneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or sepsis (UCHealth). Pneumonia is inflammation and fluid in the lungs and bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia affecting the bronchi in the lungs, more specifically. If the inflammation is more severe, it can lead to ARDS. This would mean that fluid builds up in the alveoli and the surfactant, a substance that allows lungs to expand. ARDS is a serious condition which causes low blood oxygen (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute). Sepsis is another condition which affects the lungs, more specifically it causes a drop in blood pressure which can damage one’s lungs (Mayo Clinic).
As COVID-19 and chronic respiratory illnesses are very interconnected, experts have recommended a few things for those who have COVID-19 and have a history of respiratory illness. Specifically, getting tested and treated, taking precautions in public, adhering to medications provided by your doctor, and staying connected and up to date with your doctors and news about how COVID-19 may affect you (American Lung Association).
By Devangi Rathi