We all lived through the COVID-19 pandemic, right? There is still a big question about what happens to the body when some people get this disease, especially how it affects our lungs. For some, it just comes and goes like a cold, while for others, it becomes so difficult to breathe. So today, let's talk about how this COVID-19 virus really affects our respiratory system, that is, the lungs.
COVID-19 and Your Lungs
COVID-19 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. It is a member of the coronavirus family. When this virus enters your body, it goes straight to the mucous membranes in your nose, mouth, and eyes. The virus then enters a healthy cell and uses that cell to make new viral particles. It replicates itself. The new viruses then infect other nearby cells.
Think of your respiratory system as an upside-down tree .
- The trunk of that tree is your trachea.
- It breaks down into small branches inside your lungs.
- At the end of each of these branches are tiny air sacs called alveoli. In medical terms, these are where something very important happens - oxygen is added to our blood and carbon dioxide is removed from the blood .
The COVID-19 virus can infect either the upper or lower part of your respiratory system. It travels down this airway. As it does so, the lining of the airway can become injured, swollen, or what we call ``inflamed.'' In some cases, this infection can spread all the way to those air sacs ``alveoli'' that we talked about earlier.
How are the symptoms? Let's look at them by level
The effects of COVID-19 infection vary from person to person. Some people get better with very little, while others get worse. Let's break it down to understand it clearly.
| Level of disease | How it affects and common symptoms |
|---|---|
| Mild to Moderate (Approximately 80% of patients) | At this stage, you may have a dry cough or a sore throat . Some people may develop pneumonia, a lung infection. This is when the air sacs (alveoli) become swollen. Doctors can see this swelling on a chest X-ray or CT scan. Sometimes it looks like fog on glass, so it's called "ground-glass opacity." |
| Severe level (Approximately 14% of patients) | At this stage, the infection affects both lungs . As the swelling increases, the lungs begin to fill with fluid and infection-fighting cells. This makes it harder for the body to get oxygen. You may feel short of breath , wheezing, and your breathing rate may also increase. |
| Critical level (Approximately 5% of patients) | This is the most severe case. Here, the walls of the air sacs in the lungs can be damaged. As the body fights the infection, the lungs swell and fill with fluid. This causes the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to be almost completely lost. These people develop severe pneumonia or ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) . In such severe cases, the lungs cannot work on their own and require the support of a ventilator . They are also at risk of developing blood clots in places like the lungs, heart, and brain. |
Can COVID-19 cause lung scarring?
Yes, this is possible. If you have a severe case of COVID-19, you may have long-term damage to your lungs even after the virus tests negative.
Simply put, when our immune system fights the virus, inflammation occurs as a side effect. A little inflammation is normal. But if this becomes too much, it can cause scarring of healthy lung tissue. This condition is called pulmonary fibrosis .
Who is most at risk of developing lung scarring like this?
- If you were pregnant
- If you are over 65 years old
- If you have not received the Covid-19 vaccine
- If you are immunocompromised,
- If you have a history of smoking
How do you know if you have lung scarring? The main symptoms are persistent shortness of breath and a cough . Your doctor can check for this by doing an imaging test, such as a CT scan, or a bronchoscopy (a procedure in which a tube with a camera is inserted into the airways).
Unfortunately, this lung scarring is often permanent . However, your medical team will recommend treatments to help you get the oxygen you need.
What can be done to restore the lungs after COVID-19?
It takes some time to recover from a condition like pneumonia. You may feel more tired than usual. You may not be able to exercise as much as you used to.
How to improve lung function?
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to work with a respiratory therapist after the virus is gone. They will usually recommend things like:
- Maintaining a good nutritious diet .
- Start slowly with cardio workouts, such as walking.
- Using a device called an Incentive Spirometer. This allows you to practice how deeply you can breathe.
Always remember, breathing slowly and deeply can help calm your mind and gradually restore your lung strength. If you have a persistent cough or shortness of breath after COVID-19, it is essential to see your doctor without wasting time and seek advice.
Take-Home Message
- The COVID-19 virus directly attacks our respiratory system. It can affect everything from the trachea to the smallest air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.
- Symptoms range from a simple cough to severe pneumonia and ARDS. The severity of the disease depends on age and other medical conditions.
- If the disease is severe, permanent scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) can occur.
- It takes time to recover from the disease. Follow your doctor's instructions, eat well, and slowly start exercising to regain your strength.
- If you have persistent shortness of breath or a cough after COVID-19, it is very important to talk to your doctor immediately.
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