Myocardial inflammation – soccer player Alphonso Davies affected!
Even professional footballers are not immune to the consequences of COVID-19. After surviving the corona infection, Bayern player Joshua Kimmich was only able to return to the pitch after a long break. With teammate Alphonso Davies, the next player may suffer from the consequences of corona disease. The winger is out with a myocarditis.
The body is the most important asset, especially in top-class sport. Injuries and illnesses can force athletes to take mandatory breaks. The unvaccinated Joshua Kimmich suffered from an infiltration of the lungs after the corona infection – teammate Alphonso Davies was diagnosed with myocarditis  , a possible consequence of COVID-19 .
Heart muscle inflammation after surviving COVID-19 disease
The heart muscle inflammation, also known as myocarditis, was detected in the soccer player during a check-up after corona disease. Doctors recommend taking a break from sports for three to six months if you have heart muscle inflammation.
In addition to Alphonso, Berlin goalkeeper Rune Jarstein was also forced to take a break. The Hertha BSC Berlin player fell seriously ill with COVID-19 in the spring and as a result also suffered from myocarditis. Rune Jarstein has been able to train with the team again since October.
Myocarditis usually occurs acutely as a result of infections or colds  . Increased myocarditis is also being registered as part of the corona infection.
The pathogens attack the muscle tissue of the heart, penetrate the cells and can attack the muscle tissue and, in the worst case, destroy it.
The immune system often counteracts the  inflammation ,  but if this is not the case or if the inflammation is overlooked, it can have serious health consequences and even death.
Anyone suffering from a corona infection, a viral infection or a cold should behave calmly, avoid sport and physical exertion and only start exercising slowly after consulting a doctor.
You can find out how to recognize myocarditis and what signs and symptoms indicate it here:
What is lung infiltration?
In the case of an infiltration of the lungs, also called pulmonary infiltration, inflammatory cells or tumor cells settle in the lung tissue.
Lung infiltration indicates an acute inflammation or can occur after an infection has been overcome. It causes a deterioration in gas exchange in the affected section of the lungs.
Diagnostics of the infiltration of the lungs:
- increased breathing noise when listening to the central airways (bronchial breathing)
- rattling noises
- positive voice fremitus (lung examination, in which the transmission of low-frequency sounds is checked during palpation)
- increased bronchophonia (listening to hissing sounds, for lung control)
Infiltration of the lungs can also be done using imaging techniques such as a chest X-ray or computed tomography.
Consequential damage in the lungs causes performance losses
Initial studies on the consequences of a corona infection show that the lungs, along with other organs, can be severely affected by SARS-CoV-2.
Those affected complained of shortness of breath  and coughing two months after the illness . The reason for this can be a disturbed oxygen uptake. Researchers are also observing changes in the structure of the lungs and long-lasting infiltration of the lungs, which could be responsible for the reduced oxygen uptake.
In top athletes, a disruption in gas exchange has a particular effect on performance in competition and can limit it enormously. There are also health implications to consider. The lung damage could also permanently overload the right part of the heart.
Top athletes are usually under intensive observation and work closely with sports physicians. But people who only do sports as a hobby should also consult a doctor after contracting COVID-19.
In order to reduce severe COVID-19 courses and the risk of long-COVID  , experts recommend corona vaccination, since top athletes and healthy people can also become seriously ill with COVID-19.