Pulmonary function of COVID-19 patients

A doctor from a hospital authority official in Hong Kong released the latest research on Coronavirus (COVID-19). He conducted a study that focused on the lung function of COVID-19 patients who had recovered and saw changes in their condition.

The study said patients who had been declared cured of COVID-19 had less lung function than before.

Lung function after a COVID-19 patient recovers

A team of doctors handling COVID-19 in Hong Kong conducted observations on a dozen Coronavirus patients who had recovered. They examined his condition and found a decrease in lung function in some COVID-19 patients.

To note, this sample of 12 patients is the first batch of positive COVID-19 patients in Hong Kong who were declared cured. These patients recovered after being treated with the drug Kaletra (namely the HIV / AIDS drug), the drug Ribavirin (ie the hepatitis C drug), Interferon.

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Patients are asked to undergo several activities to measure the ability of their lungs. At least three patients were unable to do the things they could before contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They feel breathless when asked to walk a little faster, even if only for a few minutes.

In addition, the results of lung scans in 9 patients found a similar pattern, which looked like frosted glass, indicating they had organ damage. Such lung conditions are similar to those found in patients with SARS and MERS.

Dr. Owen Tsang Tak-yin medical director Infectious Disease Center at Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong to explain the facts of the findings. He revealed that there was a decrease in lung function in some of these recovered Coronavirus patients.

Quoted from South China Morning Post , Tsang said that some patients may experience weakening or decreased lung function by up to 30% after recovering from COVID-19.

He advised COVID-19 patients to undergo physiotherapy to restore and strengthen their lung function. Physiotherapy is with cardiovascular exercises such as swimming and other exercises.

Tsang added that these observations still require further research. That is, patients still need to undergo further tests to assess how much lung function they maintain.

He also cannot conclude whether the condition of reduced lung function in Coronavirus patients has the potential for long-term problems or not, for example, such as pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which lung tissue hardens and organs are unable to function properly.

The patient's lung condition was positive for Coronavirus

Tsang explained that the lung function of Coronavirus positive patients indicated the presence of spotting fluid or debris. This condition is likely to get worse as the viral infection develops and causes pneumonia.

Previously, Journal Radiological Society of North America issued a study showing the worsening of the lungs of patients infected with COVID-19.

The research team performed CT scans on COVID-19 positive patients who had pneumonia symptoms, the results were white spots which showed a buildup of fluid in the lung cavity. These patches are called ground glass opacity (GGO).

Another study on American Roentgen Ray Society said about 86.1 percent of the lungs of COVID-19 positive patients had GGO.

As of today, Monday (16/3), the COVID-19 outbreak has infected more than 169 thousand patients from 157 countries around the world. With details, more than 77 thousand patients recovered and the death of at least 6 thousand cases. In Indonesia, COVID-19 has infected at least 117 positives, with 5 deaths and 8 declared cured.