American investigators have determined that the elevated mortality rate among patients on mechanical ventilation owing to COVID-19 was driven not by the viral damage itself, but rather by exacerbated pre-existing chronic illnesses and hospital-acquired infections.
It was discovered that the majority of those who passed away already suffered from chronic respiratory conditions prior to contracting the coronavirus. COVID-19 acted as a trigger, intensifying these underlying issues, and pneumonia further pushed their condition toward a critical state.
“The virus functioned as a catalyst, causing these pulmonary problems to flare up and become active. Against the backdrop of pneumonia, the situation escalated to a critical level. In certain instances, hospital-acquired infections also complicated matters; patients connected to ventilators were primarily afflicted by these,” the study authors clarified.
The researchers conclude that these new findings necessitate a reevaluation of treatment protocols by the medical community. The primary focus should now shift towards preventing and treating secondary complications in high-risk patient populations.
This recent discovery by American scientists marks a significant progression in grasping the nature of COVID-19, adding vital information to the known repercussions of the pandemic. Previously, “Zhukovsky.Life” reported on another extensive study concerning the impact of lockdowns on child development. The publication noted that quarantine measures and social distancing implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in developmental issues among young children in Scotland.
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