Cytokine storm: an internal calamity during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 virus continues to challenge our healthcare and medical sectors, our governments, and our strength and resilience as people. However, scientists and medical experts also continue to study this virus that has plagued the world in order to learn more about it, and find ways to fight it.

As their research and studies progress, there is plenty of new information about COVID-19 and its effects on patients. Recently it was observed that in some severe cases, the infection triggers an aggressive inflammatory response from the patient’s immune system, called a cytokine storm, which is suggested to result in lung injury and organ failure.

But what are cytokines? Cytokines are a type of protein that signals immune system cells and blood cells to do their jobs. In general, cytokine production is beneficial to the body, because it helps in fighting off abnormal or foreign cells, allowing normal cells to live longer.

Unfortunately, a cytokine storm happens when the immune system is provoked into producing too much of the protein, causing the immune system to inflict collateral injury on the body’s own cells and tissue instead of just eradicating the virus or abnormal cells. In the context of COVID-19 infection, the virus sets off an excessive immune response, sending large amounts of immune system cells to fight the virus. This influx of cells may also cause damage to the infection site, in this case the lungs, which can leave the patient with lung failure and, potentially, death.

The good news is that since the discovery of this development, doctors and scientists have been studying and performing clinical trials in order to test what medicines and procedures can be used to treat cytokine storms and prevent COVID-19 cases from progressing into the fatal stages due to organ damage.

Many potential treatment strategies were proposed and investigated, such as the use of certain medications or pharmaceuticals that act as a blockade against virus entry and replication. Using antipyretics is recommended on a case-to-case basis as a supportive treatment in stemming fever and managing pain and discomfort. Antihistamines, on the other hand, reduce symptom progression, while antitussives may be beneficial to COVID-19 patients suffering from cough, headaches, and body pain.

Finally, a new possible treatment using monoclonal antibodies originally administered to HIV patients is being tested, and has undergone some clinical and experimental trials. This treatment appears to aid in the improvement of patients experiencing cytokine storms due to COVID-19, as it helps to decrease the release of proinflammatory cytokines.

Despite the progress, further studying is still required to ensure that they are safe to implement and administer to even the most critical COVID-19 cases. Addressing vaccine hesitancy and encouraging better and broader vaccination programs ensures that less people develop severe symptoms, lessening the need for curative therapies and treatments and bringing us closer to our herd immunity goal.

Finally, basic hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and disinfecting commonly used items and surfaces, has long been proven to curb not just the spread of the COVID-19 virus but also other viruses, bacteria, and germs. Using personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and face shields should also be considered.

The best and most basic defense any individual can give themselves and their loved ones is continuously following safety protocols. The more strides we make in discovering how to control and remedy the damage caused by COVID-19 while also enforcing tried and tested precautions, the better it will be for everyone involved.

To learn more about the COVID-19 virus and the appropriate medications being used to treat it, visit www.nmpc.com.ph or check out NMPC’s LEAP website.