New Singapore study shows early immune system response in Covid-19 patients could cause respiratory distress
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SINGAPORE - When a virus invades a body, the development of the disease is often determined by how the immune system reacts to the infection. Most of the time, the immune system mounts a protective response. But sometimes, that response can be harmful too, eNew Singapore study shows early immune system response in Covid-19 patients could cause respiratory distress
SINGAPORE - When a virus invades a body, the development of the disease is often determined by how the immune system reacts to the infection. Most of the time, the immune system mounts a protective response. But sometimes, that response can be harmful too, experts say. If the immune system kicks into overdrive, for instance, it could stimulate the over-production of proteins called cytokines, which can cause inflammation. Cytokines are molecular messengers of the immune system. For Covid-19 patients, this cytokine storm can lead to symptoms such as breathlessness or respiratory distress. Now, a team of Singapore scientists have found that patients with Covid-19 could have a dynamic and fluctuating immune response to the virus, particularly in the early stages of the disease. For instance, when the immune system responded in a way that caused the body to produce more cytokines, it correlated with the period when the patients became more sick and experienced respiratory distress, such as breathlessness. The study was published last week in the scientific journal Cell Host and Microbe. Read more