COVID-19: These organs are particularly affected
While COVID-19 was mostly referred to as a lung disease at the beginning of the pandemic, experts now classify the disease as a multi-organ disease. COVID-19 can be asymptomatic as well as mild to very severe. In the case of severe diseases, there are other complications in addition to pulmonary complaints. These can affect the gastrointestinal system, the heart and other parts of the body. You can find out here which organs are particularly affected in the event of a severe course and how this manifests itself.
1. Lung severely affected in COVID-19
If the virus travels from the throat to the lower airways, the virus begins to multiply in the lungs, which can lead to serious respiratory system disease.
In the early stages of the disease, different parts of the lungs, including the lung parenchyma, suffer from the infection. This is the part of the lungs in which the actual breathing process takes place, as this is where the gas exchange of the alveoli takes place. Inflammatory fluid deposits also form.
The structure of the lungs hardens, which can lead to an increase in the radiologically measured lung weight and indicates damage to the lungs. Bacterial infections cannot be ruled out in this context either.
Lying on your stomach can help decongest your lungs and make breathing easier. In the case of severe lung complications, those affected must be artificially ventilated and, in the worst case, connected to an ECMO device.
2. Hyperinflammation: An overreaction of the immune system
3. Kidneys suffer from COVID-19
Experts assume that the virus can get directly into the blood via the damaged lungs and thus also affect the kidneys.
Acute kidney damage occurs, which can range from non-specific kidney congestion, in which urine can no longer be excreted, to damage to cell functions. A heavy load on the right side of the heart is also possible due to kidney damage.
According to calculations, around 50 percent of those affected suffer from kidney problems, which can also increase the risk of death.
4. Heart: cardiac disorders in COVID-19
Infected people with previous cardiac diseases are particularly at risk of a severe course and increased mortality. Common heart conditions described during COVID-19 illness are:
- Myocarditis : Inflammation of the heart muscle
- Acute coronary syndrome: occlusion of the heart arteries
- cardiac arrhythmias
- cardiac insufficiency
- Cardiogenic shock : the pumping capacity is too low to supply all organs
Even with a mild corona course, heart muscle inflammation is possible, for example. Medical advice should therefore be sought for symptoms such as tightness, chest pain, tiredness and dizziness.
5. COVID-19 effects on the gut
The gastrointestinal system can also be affected by SARS-CoV-2. Common symptoms are severe diarrhea and acute mesenteric ischemia. The blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract is blocked by thrombosis and embolism, inflammatory reactions, septic shock or multi-organ failure occur.