Virus Induced Respiratory Insufficiency
Virus infections affecting the lungs – such as COVID-19 and influenza – can for some patients lead to severe respiratory insufficiency, which can be life threatening. These patients has difficulty breathing and therefore they are unable to provide enough oxygen to vital organs. The patients are hospitalized and receive oxygen supplementation to survive. Patients often develop severe pneumonia, which makes the situation even more complicated. If not treated, the patient may develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a very serious condition where the patient requires mechanical ventilation in order to have enough oxygen for the organs.
Viral or secondary bacterial infections can cause the immune system to be overly active and produce excessive quantities of pro-inflammatory molecules (a ‘cytokine storm’, also known as Systemic Inflammatory Distress Syndrome or SIDS) which in itself can cause damage to key organs.
