With economies crumbling under the pressing weight of the coronavirus pandemic and no treatment in sight, a lot of countries including India are beginning to relax their lockdown restrictions. Just yesterday PM Modi gave us a heads-up about Lockdown 4.0 and how it would be exercised with new rules and relaxations in place.
Thus, arguments are being whether relaxation should be allowed or not. Or will people follow social distancing norms or not. Reportedly, the current strain of coronavirus is a more lethal one, and thus, most people will only experience the symptoms of flu even if they catch the infection. Over time, the virus has evolved as an enigmatic pathogen that is capable of harming the body in more than one ways, with some of the effects and symptoms extending way after the infection has been treated. Intrigued to find out what these symptoms might be? Read on:
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Blood Clots
The fever and inflammation caused by coronavirus can lead to clumped up blood cells and a permanently reduced ability to fight clots. Alarming as it is, this can lead to a lifelong struggle with blood-vessel blockages in tissues and organs. These clotting disorders might additionally lead to compromised brain health putting one at risk of brain strokes and internal bleeding.
Compromised Gastrointestinal Tract
In case the cells lining our digestive tracts catch the infection, it might lead to diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. Again, the blood-vessel blockages caused in this case can cause severe damage to the bowel, which might require immediate surgery and resection (the process of cutting out tissue or part of an organ).
Heart Health
In case, the infection leads to an inflammation in the heart muscles or coronary artery, the results can be manifold including blood clots as well as multi-organ failure. One might also experience a cardiac injury which might cause palpitations, heart attacks, and heart failure.
Liver Dysfunction
The coronavirus infection can also severe damage to our liver by impacting the immunity or causing either a systemic inflammation or circulatory blockage which cuts blood flow to our vital organs, liver in this case.
Lung Health
Most of us know about lungs being most severely disrupted by the coronavirus infection. However, the details might give you a real scare. It is our epithelial cells that get impacted by the coronavirus. These cells are responsible for protecting our respiratory tract and damage to them can cause pneumonia, accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath. In some cases, the lack of oxygen can also lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, which then leads to multi-organ-system failure.
Damaged Nose & Tongue
While the infection can cause symptoms akin to the common flu, it can also lead to a damaged olfactory system, which can, in turn, lead to a temporary or permanent loss to the sense of smell. It can also permanently impact the taste buds and lead to a distorted sense of taste.
Skin
As part of the body’s immune response to the virus, one might get hive-like rashes, tiny red dots or purple discolorations on the abdomen and limbs.
Incapacitated Limbs
In case the infection leads to an obstruction in large blood vessels, it might lead to an insufficient flow of blood to the limbs. If these complications go severe, it can also get lethal. In some of the cases, might also require limb amputation.
With relaxation in the lockdown, chances are that the severity of the current crisis might diminish in our understanding. However, every time you think of going lax with the precautions and social distancing, just remember there is just no wisdom in testing this virus’s limits.
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