COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Cytokine Storm Simplified
4/2/20
Here’s what you need to know about a COVID-19 cytokine storm.
DATA:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science…
Timestamps
0:04 What is cytokine storm?
0:59 What is a cytokine?
1:49 The macrophages
2:33 The B-cell
2:52 The mast cell
3:12 Interferon
3:28 The cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells
3:42 Perforin
5:15 Zinc and perforin
Today I want to explain a little bit about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) cytokine storm.
What is a cytokine storm?
A cytokine storm is a situation that can occur in critical cases of the coronavirus.
A few things that are associated with a cytokine storm are:
• High fever
• Enlarged spleen
• A decrease or increase of the white blood cell count
• Low blood pressure
• Massive inflammation
Another name for cytokine storm is macrophage activation syndrome. A macrophage is a white blood cell.
A cytokine storm will typically occur when someone’s immune system is weak, they have a genetic weakness towards this condition, or they are overweight.
What is a cytokine?
A cytokine is a communication messenger. It signals the cells to do certain things. When the virus invades the cell, the cell will then send out these messages to let the immune system know there is a problem.
This is why a huge inflammatory reaction can occur. If it happens in the lungs, there can be destruction in the lungs. The cytokines basically tell your “soldiers” to fight.
The macrophages are large immune cells that can eat and dissolve certain things like microbes, viruses, and bacteria.
The B-cell is a part of the immune system that helps you develop antibodies. If you’re exposed to the virus later on, you have protection.
The mast cell is involved with histamine reactions.
Interferon releases cytokines, but this is not a cell, it’s a body chemical. This is heavily involved in attacking viruses.
Cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells have a weapon to kill off the cell that’s infected with the virus. This weapon is called perforin.
It has been found that with a cytokine storm, perforin is defective. If a person has a genetic defect or problem making perforin and is deficient, that person may have a tendency to have a cytokine storm in the body. It could also be that a person’s immune system is weak and they are deficient in perforin.
Zinc can actually enhance perforin. This is just another reason to get more zinc.
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