e Formation of Blood Clots?
COVID-19 is a very complex illness. First, COVID-19 can cause severe inflammation, which can trigger the mechanism of blood clotting in the body. It is one of the ways of the immune system how it reacts to the injury by making the clotting system more active. But when the infection is as inflammatory as COVID-19, the tendency to develop a clot can become dangerous.
Yes, blood clots can be caused by coronavirus disease due to inflammation. The patients with severe cases of COVID-19 seem especially susceptible, as do those with other health risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer, history of blood clots, etc.
Treating and diagnosing clots formed due to COVID-19 is difficult because:
- The symptoms of a worsening lung infection associated with the virus can sometimes be not distinguishable from the symptoms of pulmonary embolism.
- Another challenge is that the virus can impact laboratory tests which are also be used to diagnose venous blood clots.
Some people are at a higher risk for developing blood clots. These are:
- Patients who are hospitalized: Most cases of blood clots have been reported in individuals who have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
- Individuals who have other conditions that put them at risk of clotting: Some examples include diabetes, heart attack, obesity, etc.
- Individuals who have high levels of certain markers: Patients who have high levels of D-dimer levels are also at an increased risk of developing clots.
Therefore, everyone should monitor for signs of clots. Some of the signs and symptoms of blood clots are:
- Weakness of one arm or leg
- Difficulty in speaking
- Tenderness, pain, or discoloration in the arms or legs
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pressure or pain radiating to the neck, arms, jaw, or back
- Facial drooping
Till now, there is no specific treatment for coronavirus disease. The best way to prevent this highly contagious virus is to take necessary precautions. Some of the precautions include:
- Practicing physical distancing.
- Washing the hands frequently.
- Avoid touching nose, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands.
- Avoiding people who are sick.
- Wearing a face mask in public places.