Researchers have said between five and 40 coronavirus cases in 1,000 will result in death. A study followed a small group of people infected with the COVID-19 virus from diagnosis to hospital discharge or death. The study was able to determine the biggest risk factors for death from coronavirus.
READ MORE
-
Paddy McGuinness health: Presenter’s shock diagnosis at the age of 44
Being of an older age, showing signs of sepsis and having blood clotting issues when admitted to hospital are key risk factors associated with higher risk of death from the new coronavirus according to a new observational study of 191 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from two hospitals in China.
The new study is the first time researchers have examined risk factors associated with severe disease and death in hospitalised adults who’ve either died or have been discharged from hospital.
The study involved 191 patients, 137 were discharged and 54 died in hospital.
Why are these the three biggest risk factors for potential death from coronavirus?
The elderly
Being of an older age puts a person at higher risk of death from coronavirus duet to having a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA).
The elderly, especially those with preexisting conditions like diabetes, heart disease and lung disease, may be severely affected by the new virus.
From 70 to 85 percent of all flu-related deaths and 50 to 70 percent of flu-related hospitalisations, occur among those 65 years and over, according to the CDC.
Dr Nagendra Gupta said: “Based on all the data we have been receiving so far, it appears that elderly people, especially those with multiple comorbid codlins are affected more severely.”
Sepsis
Sepsis is a severe health problem sparked by the body’s reaction to infection. When a person gets an infection, the body fights back, releasing chemicals into the bloodstream to kill the harmful bacteria or viruses.
At its most severe, the body’s response to an infection can cause dangerously low blood pressure.
Sepsis is the result of a massive immune response to bacterial infection that gets into the blood.
It often leads to organ failure or injury.
Having sepsis increases a person’s risk of death from COVID-19.
READ MORE
-
High blood pressure ‘key dangerous factor’ in coronavirus death
Blood clotting issues
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said: “Blood clots include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism which are serious but preventable medical conditions.
“Injury to a vein, often caused by fractures, severe muscle injury or major surgery, can increase the risk for developing blood clots.
“A clot that occurs from a hospitalisation, surgery or other healthcare treatment or procedure is called a healthcare-associated venous thromboembolism.
“About 50 percent of blood clots are healthcare-associated.”
The team also found that people with covid-19 continue to shed the virus, and so might be able to infect others, for around 20 days, or until they die.
“The extended viral shedding noted in our study has important implications for guiding decisions around isolation precautions and antiviral treatment in patients with confirmed covid-19,” said Cao.
“Poorer outcomes in older people may be due, in part, to the age-related weakening of the immune system and increased inflammation that could promote viral replication and more prolonged responses to inflammation, causing lasting damage to the heart, brain and other organs,” added study co-author Zhibo Liu at Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan.
Source: Read Full Article