The COVID-19 emerged at the end of 2019 when a cluster of pneumonia cases with undetermined causes was reported. It was later found out that the cause of the illness is the SARS-CoV-2 or the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

The COVID-19

The COVID-19 was recently reported as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The majority of the patients of the diseases experienced mild and cold-like symptoms, says an article.

According to WHO, 80% of the total people who get the illness does not need special medical attention to recover from the disease. One in six infected people became seriously sick and experienced breathing difficulties.

The Effects of the Virus to People

According to Professor John Wilson, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians' president-elect and respiratory physician, all of the serious consequences of the novel coronavirus illness features pneumonia.

According to Wilson, individuals to contract the COVID-19 can be placed in four categories.

The least serious category is 'sub-clinical.' These people are those that do not exhibit symptoms of the disease.  

The next category is that patient who experiences an infection of their upper respiratory tract. It means that these patients experience coughs and fever. Also, they may experience mild headaches or conjunctivitis.

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People with minor symptoms of the COVID-19 have a higher chance of transmitting the deadly virus and they may not be aware that they are carriers.

Those who develop similar flu-like symptoms are those that are so weak to go to work. This is the largest group among infected patients. They are commonly found in hospitals seeking out medical care.

The fourth category is those with severe cases of the illness. They are the ones who suffer from pneumonia.

Wilson said that approximately 6% of the total patients of the COVID-19 in Wuhan who asked for medical help had experienced severe symptoms of the illness.

According to WHO, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions such as lung problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems are at risk of getting severe symptoms of the disease.

The Development of Pneumonia among COVID-19 Patients

When COVID-19 patients showcase symptoms like coughs and fever, this indicates that the deadly novel coronavirus had already reached their respiratory tree, says Wilson. The respiratory tree is the air passages that serve as pathways of air between the lungs and outside.

According to Wilson, the respiratory tree's lining gets injured upon the invasion of the novel coronavirus. This results in its inflammation. Also, this brings irritations in the nerves in the lining of the airway.

The situation gets worse when the virus passing through the lining to the gas exchange units at the end of air passages. This causes the lungs to pour out inflammatory material into the air sacs located at the bottom part of the lungs.

This is how people end up having pneumonia with the novel coronavirus.

People with lungs filled with inflammatory material are unable to get sufficient oxygen to the blood. This reduces a person's ability to process oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

This is usually the cause of death of people who suffer from severe pneumonia.