Open AccessA review of post infectious pulmonary fibrosis in the era of COVID-19 and potential treatment options
Author(s) -
Medha Ghose,
Maehali Patel
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the southwest respiratory and critical care chronicles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2325-9205
DOI - 10.12746/swrccc.v9i40.883
Subject(s) - covid-19 , pulmonary fibrosis , medicine , fibrosis , pandemic , pathogenesis , intensive care medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , pathology , outbreak
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement characterizing COVID-19 as a pandemic that has, as of October 2020, caused almost 36 million confirmed global cases and over 1 million deaths. One of the long-term complications suggested by researchers is fibrosis. It has been hypothesized that the combination of ongoing pulmonary injury caused by COVID-19 and the inability to promptly repair damage results in interstitial matrix widening and eventual compression and destruction of alveoli and capillaries. Here we focus on pathogenesis, risk factors, different infectious causes of fibrosis along with COVID-19, and potential treatment options that might reduce its effects.
Key words: COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis, mechanism, treatment