Human Body: The Secret Chamber of SARS-CoV-2

  • Sandra SN Department of Zoology, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, India.
  • Anjali Rajendran Department of Zoology, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, India.
  • Merlin K Regi Department of Zoology, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, India.
  • Sheeba P Department of Zoology, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, India.
  • Feebarani John Department of Zoology, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, India.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Persistence, Post-COVID Symptoms, Immune-privileged Site, ACE2 Receptor

Abstract

Background: A larger number of people have been affected with COVID-19 and the number of survivors is increasing day by day. Recently many reports on health issues have been arising from various corners of the world. This raises the question of whether SARS-CoV-2 has a long term impact on our health conditions or will it persist in the human body. This work peeps into such concerns of COVID-19 survivors.

Objective: This study focuses on the persistence and sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 survivors.
Methods: A survey was conducted among COVID-19 survivors of Kerala, India to analyse the long term health impacts of COVID-19. 294 COVID-19 survivors participated in the survey and Google form was the key tool used in the study. The results obtained were compared with published research papers and articles to check for the probability of persistence of SARS-CoV-2.

Results: SARS-CoV-2 poses long term health issues for survivors. Majority of the participants (64.2%) reported that they have neurological, reproductive and musculoskeletal symptoms. The present study on the mode of entry of virus and immune-privileged sites in the human body, when compared to reported works earlier suggests that the chance of persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in the human body is higher as this virus has a noticeable potency to infect immune-privileged sites.

Conclusion: Most of the survivors face numerous difficulties even after laboratory tests shows them negative for COVID-19 and hence the question ‘whether the human body will act as a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2’ cannot be neglected. Further studies are to be conducted in this regard and emphasis should be on establishing more post-COVID clinics.

How to cite this article:
Sandra SN, Rajendran A, Regi MK, Sheeba P, John F. Human Body: The Secret Chamber of SARS-CoV-2. Special Issue - COVID-19 & Other Communicable Disease. 2022;98-102.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202215

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Published
2022-03-16