COVID-19: Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary Manifestations

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pathophysiology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in millions of cases and deaths globally.
• A common misconception is that COVID-19 solely affects the respiratory system, neglecting its broader impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the diverse manifestations of COVID-19 beyond the respiratory tract.
• To describe the underlying pathophysiology of COVID-19's multisystemic effects.
• To enhance understanding for improved disease management and control.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus.
• Keywords included "COVID-19," "pulmonary manifestations," "extrapulmonary manifestations," and "pathophysiology."
• Data were synthesized from systemic reviews, meta-analyses, case series, and case reports.

Main Results:

• COVID-19 presents with asymptomatic, mild, moderate, or severe symptomatic cases.
• Extrapulmonary symptoms like gastroenteritis, fever, and vomiting can occur in milder cases, potentially leading to missed diagnoses.
• Severe cases exhibit extrapulmonary manifestations such as acute kidney injury, heart failure, and venous thromboembolism, often linked to high viral load or cytokine storm.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 is a multisystem disease with significant extrapulmonary involvement.
• Considering both pulmonary and extrapulmonary symptoms is essential for accurate diagnosis.
• Early identification of all manifestations aids in controlling the spread of COVID-19.