Cytokines are molecules that play a role in the immune system to communicate signals to the body in response to infection or inflammation. Cytokines consist of:
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines: cytokines that play a role in increasing inflammation
- Anti-inflammatory cytokines: cytokines that play a role in reducing inflammation and repairing body tissues.
Cytokine Storm ( Cytokine Storm ) is a condition where there is an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body which triggers an aggressive immune response and has the potential to damage the body's organs resulting in excessive inflammation that can cause death.
The cytokine storm in Covid 19 is an excessive and uncontrolled reaction of the immune system against the virus. This reaction will not only kill the virus but can also cause excessive inflammation in the body resulting in organ damage. This has the potential to cause severe respiratory distress and multi-organ failure occurs. Usually these complications occur on days 6-10 from being exposed to the Covid 19 virus and some time after being declared cured of Covid 19.
To find out if there is a cytokine storm in the Covid 19 case, you can do a complete blood test, markers of infection such as quantitative CRP, Ferritin, LDH, D Dimmer and evaluate chest X-rays.
As for Covid patients who have the potential to experience cytokine storms, especially those with comorbidities or co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity. This is because patients with this disease have chronic inflammatory processes with low body resistance so that they are prone to organ dysfunction due to immune responses.
Symptoms that generally occur in Covid 19 patients with cytokine storms: fever, dry cough, severe shortness of breath leading to respiratory failure, headaches, weakness, muscle aches, decreased blood pressure. Additional symptoms that may occur: sore throat, productive cough, coughing up blood, diarrhea, nausea, chest pain, seizures and hallucinations.
Covid 19 patients with cytokine storms require treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), because they require comprehensive treatment such as:
- Regular monitoring of the patient's general condition and vital signs
- If you need mechanical ventilator therapy
- Providing adequate fluids with good nutrition
- Management of electrolyte therapy
- Hemodialysis if needed
- Management of antibiotic therapy and other supporting therapies such as administration of monoclonal antibody therapy or cytokine activity inhibitor drugs and administration of plasmapheresis.
Based on this description, we can anticipate Cytokine Storms by staying alert both when we are exposed to Covid 19 and when we are recovering from Covid 19. Consult your doctor if you feel your symptoms are not improving or getting worse and your symptoms persist.
How can we prevent cytokine storms, namely keeping ourselves from being exposed to Covid 19 by being disciplined in implementing health protocols, carrying out vaccinations and living a healthy lifestyle.
Article reviewed by dr. Salva Badjarad, Sp.P (Asthma & Lung Specialist Doctor at EMC Tangerang Hospital).