When does a Covid-19 patient need oxygen support?

  1. A small proportion of Covid-19 patients need oxygen support, when shortness of breath progresses to a more acute condition.
  2. Most patients with Covid-19 have a respiratory tract infection, and in the most severe cases their symptoms can include shortness of breath.
  3. In a small proportion of such cases, this can progress to a more severe and systemic disease characterised by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

How does Covid-19 trigger shortness of breath?

  1. -SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can infect epithelial cells which protect the airway tract from pathogens and infections.
  2. To fight such infection, the body’s immune system releases cells that trigger inflammation.
  3. When this inflammatory immune response continues, it impedes the regular transfer of oxygen in the lungs.
  4. Simultaneously, fluids too build up. Both these factors combined make it difficult to breathe.
  5. Low levels of oxygen triggered by Covid-19 are inflammatory markers, which include elevated white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts.

How much oxygen saturation is normal for COVID 19

COVID protocol 22: My oxygen has become low