COVID-19, flu, RSV, or viruses versus the health of your lungs

What can you hear in your lungs after a pandemic? Let's hope only the beautiful melody of an alveolar murmur. Your respiratory system may have been through quite a lot over the past few years...

Since 4 March 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 infection was reported in Poland, everyone's attention has been focused on the new celebrity of the viral world: the SARS-Cov-2 strain. The rest has been somewhat forgotten, and yet the popular corona has not at all made flu and other pathogens disappear.

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In the Orchestra let it play, but in the lungs... not necessarily

The 32nd Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy) is coming up in 2024 - the most famous and noble orchestra in Poland, under the baton of Jurek Owsiak, will play on 28 January. This time its aim will be to purchase equipment for research and rehabilitation of patients in pulmonology wards.

The motto of this year's Finale is "Lungs after the pandemic. We play for children and adults!". We, too, have decided to make as much noise as possible around the lungs, although inside the lungs themselves, it would be best to be relatively quiet...

What viruses most commonly attack the lungs?

Definitely your lungs should not be playing, but murmuring. An alveolar murmur is a normal sound that should be audible on auscultation. Its absence or other sounds, such as rales, can be a sign of disease.

And, although the ailments of the two spongy lobes hidden beneath the ribs are innumerable, we will focus below on the most common ones - affecting virtually all of us - caused by tiny creatures with amazing procreative abilities.

The lungs are the central point of the respiratory system, which also includes the so-called upper respiratory tract (i.e. - in simple terms - the nose, throat and larynx). It is there that viral infectionsand most often begin and end.

Sometimes, however, the immune system is unable to stop the reproduction of pathogens and they reach the bronchi and then the lungs, causing inflammation, or viral pneumonia .

Which viruses are most likely to make their home in your lungs?

Flu

The influenza virus is divided into three types: A, B and C. The first two are responsible for most human cases. Among each type, further subtypes can be distinguished. Their number is constantly increasing, as the viruses are constantly mutating. This is why experts recommend repeating the flu vaccination every yearand.

When the flu virus enters your body and is not pacified in time by the immune system, it starts to do what it does best - multiply.

Expansion of the pathogen causes a range of symptoms, such asand:

• fever,
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• chills,
.
• muscle aches,
• pain.
• headache,
.
• dry cough,
.
• sore throat,
.
• general weakness,
.

Although typical flu symptoms do not include inflammation of the lungs, they are one of the most common complications of influenza A or B virus infectionand.

Most commonly, influenza pneumonia develops in people who are immunocompromised, or weakened by chronic diseases that negatively affect the whole body. Seniors and pregnant women are also more at riskand.

RSV

RSV, like influenza, is a seasonally occurring disease. In our geographical region, it falls in autumn and winter, with peak incidence in January and February. RSV ( respiratory syncytial virus) is a respiratory syncytial virus. It gets its name from the fact that cells infected with it, begin to fuse into areas called syncytiaand.

RSV pathogens entering the lungs can damage the cilia, causing problems with mucus clearance, which reduces the patency and efficiency of the bronchioles (the part of the lungs between the bronchi and alveoli) .

In most adults, RSV infection has a mild course and does not reach the lungs. It is mainly infants who are at risk of such complications, requiring hospitalisation even in the initial phase of infection. The virus is most dangerous for premature infants, as their respiratory system is not fully developedand.

Coronavirus

Coronavirus is now associated with a real star among pathogens that has brought the whole world to its feet, like a top rock band. It is, of course, about SARS-Cov-2, but it is worth knowing that it is just one of many strains of coronaviruses.

COVID-19, the disease caused by these pathogens, can lead to an acute respiratory infection, combined with shortness of breath, fever, cough and fatigueand.

Interestingly, the initial variant of the SARS-Cov-2 strain, caused a very characteristic loss of taste and smell. And this was true even in people who had no other symptoms of the virus. However, subsequent mutations corona caused these symptoms in fewer and fewer patients and are now rareand.

SARS-Cov-2 can lead to pneumonia. It is estimated that one in five patients will go through COVID-19 infection quite severely, and about 2% of people will require hospitalisation .

The virus damages the alveoli, leading to increased exudate and fluid accumulation in the alveoli. Thus burdened (blocked), they are unable to perform their function. If a sufficiently extensive area of the lungs is infected, the most severe stage of the disease can develop, which is ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome), or acute respiratory failureand. It is often associated with the need for the patient to undergo oxygen therapy .

Oxygen therapy vs ventilator

After the pandemic, everyone has probably heard about ventilators. However, it's worth knowing that connecting a patient to a ventilator is the final stage of oxygen therapy, designed to support or replace respiratory muscle movementand.

Respirators are therefore reserved for patients in the most severe condition, and their use is very invasive to the respiratory system . The majority of patients infected with COVID-19 are able to be helped by other methods, such as administering concentrated oxygen from a cylinder or oxygen socket through a sniffer, and if that is not enough, through a mask .

Is every healer ... healthy?

You've been through covidacious pneumonia. It was tough, but you overcame the illness. Your symptoms have subsided and you feel reasonably well now. Does this mean that there is no longer a trace left of the changes in the lung tissue? Not necessarily.

Although the lungs damaged during COVID-19 will regenerate in most recovering patients, some may develop fibrosis. Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis is a dangerous condition that leads to the formation of irreversible, rigid, fibrotic areas in the tissue that lose their respiratory functionand.

Patients who use a ventilator, which can intensify microdamage in the lungs, are most at risk of fibrosis, and the condition is associated with the scarring process of damaged lung tissue .

Being asymptomatic with... symptoms?

You may remember the case of the cruise ship Diamond Princess, on which there was a mini outbreak COVID-19. Of the 3711 people (crew and passengers, on board the ship), 712 became ill, of whom 311 were asymptomatic.

As a result of the outbreak, 712 people became ill, of whom 311 were asymptomatic.

Some time later, the lungs of 76 people from the group that showed no symptoms were x-rayed and... in half of the cases, lesions were discovered in them.

Coronavirus statistics

Since not in all cases being cured of Covida means the end of the health care adventure, and pulmonologists will have to help a new group of recovering patients, it is worth looking at the scale of this phenomenon.

The above graphic obviously illustrates only recorded and confirmed cases. One can therefore guess that the true scale of the incidence was much greater. Nonetheless, according to estimates, a total of more than 17% of our population has already contracted COVID-19and.

According to the 2021 comparative study, the average proportion of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation is 2.1% and is largely age-dependent. In people over 60, the result is much higher - 9.2%and. This means that almost one in ten people in this age group, will end up in hospital due to SARS-Cov-2 infection.

In comparison, the proportion of patients requiring hospitalisation due to the influenza virus averages around 1-1.2%and.

How to test the lungs after a pandemic?

Begin by saying that a chest x-ray (rentgen lung) is classed as a periodic examination that adults should have once every two years. If you are employed under a contract of employment, you will be referred for such examinations by your employer. However, if you are earning money under other contracts, you must remember to do them yourself.

It is, however, not worth waiting to see a doctor if the work of your lungs concerns you. See a specialist especially ifand:

.
• you are experiencing shortness of breath,
.
• you have a prolonged dry cough that is not related to an infection,
.
• you get tired more quickly (e.g. you often catch breathlessness),
• you feel pressure in your chest.
• you feel tightness in your chest,
.
• your physical performance has decreased,
.

Pulmonary diagnostics may include investigations:

• auditory,
.
• imaging (computed tomography or X-ray),
.
• functional (spirometry and plethysmography),
.
• bronchoscopy,
.

As an adjunct, exercise testing (e.g. 6-minute walk test) is often used.

Spirometry is a test that is used to determine, among other things, lung capacity and lung function, while plethysmography allows one to know the total air content of the lungs. Bronchoscopy, on the other hand, allows a 'live' visual assessment of the airways and the collection of tissue sections for examination - including lung parenchyma. It is most commonly performed using a bronchofibrescopeand.

Not only the respiratory system...

Viruses that attack the respiratory tract leave their mark not only there. Studies show that both influenza and COVID-19 are not indifferent to the cardiovascular system either. In the case of the flu, its ignored complications can even lead to a myocardial infarctionand.

In fact, inflammation of the myocardium can occur during the course of this common disease, which is associated with the occurrence of arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation .

Coronavirus can instead disrupt energy production in heart cells and thus lead to damage . In addition to weakening the cardiovascular system, COVID-19 can also contribute to kidney failure. The virus is able to attack the cells of this organ as well, potentially leading to a reduction in its efficiency .

How to keep out viruses?

To reduce the likelihood of a serious viral illness, it is best to be vaccinated against it. Commercially available vaccines are safe and formulated to protect against the latest known strains of virusand. This is why vaccinations for viral diseases are worth repeating, i.e. taking so-called booster doses . What else can you do?

Basic principles of antiviral prevention includeand:

• avoiding crowded places,
.
• washing hands thoroughly and frequently,
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• reducing contact with people who have symptoms of infection,
.
• wearing a mask in areas where viruses are naturally more prevalent (e.g. in healthcare facilities),
.
• social responsibility, i.e. self-isolation in case of illness,
.

You can also try to support your immune system and strengthen your body by providing it with essential vitamins and minerals. It is worth doing this not only during the autumn/winter season, but all year round. Which are the most important ones?

First and foremost, immunity is supported by:

• B vitamins,
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• vitamin C,
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• vitamin D,
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• vitamin E,
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• iron,
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• selenium,
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• zinc,
.

Best if you provide them to your body in a diet full of nutritious vegetables, fruits and healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Also remember to get an adequate dose of restorative sleep. Regular physical activity is another building block that will stimulate the immune system to work more efficiently.

How to take care of yourself after a viral illness?

After a viral illness, focus on recovery:

• Rest. Viruses weaken the body, so give it time to recover. For example, after the flu, an extra week's rest is recommended.
• Eat healthy. Your diet should be rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Protein is essential for rebuilding cells, while vitamins and minerals support the immune system.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Hydration helps to eliminate toxins. Fruit tea or water are ideal for this.
• Exercise at a moderate intensity. Light physical activity, such as walking, improves circulation and speeds up the body's recovery.
• Air out your home. When you are ill, a lot of viruses build up in the room you are in. Air the room both during and just after treatment to get rid of the accumulated germs.
.

Taking care of yourself after a viral illness helps to avoid complications and restores your body to full function.

Take care of yourself after a viral illness.

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