Cytokine storms are now being hotly discussed after one of Indonesia‘s public figures experienced this syndrome.
Quoted from halodoc.com, cytokine storm syndrome is caused by an increased immune response. In general, the immune system helps the body fight infection. However, in certain conditions, the immune system responds inappropriately and actually worsens the body’s condition for disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, medically, a cytokine storm is a cell pathway that has been activated leading to the production of several biological mediators that cause changes in the body and interfere with normal cell function.
Indirectly, most of the cytokines released create high levels of inflammation in the inflamed body part, so that it is fatal. Cytokine storms are even more deadly than the original virus in the body.
Cytokine storms can be triggered by a number of infections. In patients with corona, the cytokine storm reacts in the form of fever and shortness of breath. Around six or seven days, the condition gets worse due to difficulty breathing and requires a ventilator.
So far the most accurate symptom is when a patient continues to have difficulty breathing despite receiving oxygen. This gives the possibility that their bodies are undergoing a cytokine storm.
Quoted from beritastu.com, cytokine storms do not only occur in people with corona but also in people with flu and other respiratory diseases. Cytokine storms are also closely associated with non-infectious diseases such as multiple sclerosis and pancreatitis.
In addition, the presence of cytokines could be the reason why some people have severe reactions to the coronavirus while others experience only mild symptoms. In younger patients, their immune systems are underdeveloped, resulting in lower levels of inflammation-promoting cytokines.
