Is COVID-19 a Respiratory Disease or a Vascular Illness, researchers are trying to unravel the truth
Inflammation is a natural response to trauma or any pathogenic invasion. Inflammation usually causes swelling, pain, redness and is an immune response by the body.
It has been two years since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. However, researchers are still not able to make a distinction, if COVID-19 is a respiratory disease or a vascular disease. The respiratory system of the human body includes the lungs, windpipe and nasal cavity. The vascular system is composed of arteries, veins, capillaries and the heart. It can be said that both the vascular system and the respiratory system are somewhat interlinked with one another.
Experts have believed that COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and it affects the Lungs. Even though the virus attacks the lungs, it has been noticed in some patients to have affected other organs also. Some of the symptoms caused by the virus are very perplexing and confusing. Researchers attached with the University of California-San Diego conducted a study and it revealed some very perplexing results. The researchers have now concluded that the virus actually causes inflammation of the lungs tissues leading to complications and even morbidity. This study is published in the journal Circulation Research.
Is S-Protein the culprit?
Inflammation is a natural response to trauma or any pathogenic invasion. Inflammation usually causes swelling, pain, redness and is an immune response by the body. Scientists have identified the protein which causes inflammation during a COVID-19 infection. The causative agent is S-Protein. The S-Protein attacks the receptor ACE2( Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2) damaging the mitochondria, which generate the energy of the cells. This damages the endothelium, which lines the blood vessel.
Vascular symptoms of COVID-19
Some people who have received the COVID-19 vaccines have developed blood clots. Some patients have experienced even serious symptoms like Covid feet and skin conditions. Stroke has also emerged as a complication of this disease. All these are not symptoms seen in patients of respiratory illnesses and are actually indications of vascular irregularities.
