Coronavirus has learned to hide in human cells
People often confuse the common cold with infectious diseases. And even doctors cannot always distinguish between flu and coronavirus. The problem is that the coronavirus has so cleverly learned to hide in the cells of the human body that PCR tests in most cases cannot detect it. Experts talked about this at a conference dedicated to the development trends of the most dangerous infection.
– Back in the 1980s, 4 types of coronavirus were known. Since then, we have made great strides in the treatment of this infection. Although, of course, we did not meet with such a disease, which differs from the rest, until last year, – says Alexander Karaulov, director of the Institute of Biomedical Research and Therapy.
How can you tell the difference between coronavirus and influenza? “At the beginning of both diseases there are symptoms: fever, headache, body aches,” said Larisa Balykova, head of the Department of Pediatrics at Ogarev Mordovia State University. “But there is still a specific symptom for coronavirus – loss of smell. Plus cough, shortness of breath at the onset of the disease “.
The coronavirus flows differently depending on the person’s genetics. Lifestyle, nutrition, the state of the cardiovascular and nervous systems affect immunity. However, the virus cleverly evades the immune system as well. Specific changes in the lungs are visible only on the 5-6th day of the disease. According to the latest data, the PCR test is positive only in 30-40% of patients with suspected coronavirus.
– Some viruses can linger for a long time in different cells of the body. In this case, the PCR test may be negative. And the percentage of such false-negative results is very high, – says Elena Malinnikova, head of the Department of Virology at the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education.
On the first or second day of illness, only 20% of PCR tests show the correct result. Only on the 3-8th day of infection with coronavirus can the disease be detected with a probability of 80%. However, this is not enough, because every day of delay affects the outcome of treatment.
According to the chief urologist of the Ministry of Health of Russia Dmitry Pushkar, 90% of patients start treatment late, which is especially dangerous for people aged: “After 50 years, Russians take an average of 3.6 tablets per day (from 1 to 10), that is of this age group have chronic diseases. And then there’s the viral load. “
As a result, about 80% of those who have recovered are faced with a longcovid, which lasts for more than 12 weeks, and sometimes for more than six months. Symptoms develop, leading to a deterioration in working capacity: severe weakness, headaches, deterioration of the mental state.
“Experts have already begun to develop new, more reliable tests,” said Elena Malinnikova. “It is very important to study people who are resistant to the effects of coronavirus, while having contact with patients – and there are quite a few of them,” added Alexander Karaulov.
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