Researchers around the world are trying to understand how the Covid-19 virus spreads from the nose and throat to the lungs (File photo/Reuters)
The researchers used mathematical models to show how these viruses, which infect the mucous lining of the respiratory tract, spread to the lungs in the form of droplets, causing severe diseases, and ways to prevent such spread. Recommend.
Indian Institute technology Researchers from University of Madras (IIT Madras), Jadavpur University, and Northwestern University (USA) have shown a plausible mechanism as to how Covid infection can turn fatal. They conducted simulation studies to understand the mechanism of transmission of the COVID-19 virus from the nose and throat to the lower respiratory tract.
The researchers used mathematical models to show how these viruses, which infect the mucous lining of the respiratory tract, spread in the form of droplets in the lungs, causing severe diseases, and suggest ways to prevent such spread. .
Researchers around the world are trying to understand how the COVID-19 virus spreads from the nose and throat to the lungs. An idea has been proposed that the virus can move through mucus in the respiratory system but this would take much longer.
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Another idea is that the virus may enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs but this is also not satisfactory. Another theory is that people can inhale droplets of mucus containing the virus deeper into the lungs through the nose and throat.
Researchers from IIT Madras, Jadavpur University and Northwestern University looked into these issues while conducting this study. The findings were published in the open-source journal Frontiers in Physiology.
The research was a collaboration between Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean (Alumni & Corporate Relations), IIT Madras and Faculty, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, Dr. Aranyak Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, Department of Nuclear Studies and Applications, Jadavpur University. and Professor Nilesh A. Patankar, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University.
Professor Mahesh Panchagnula, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, said, “We checked the last theory through mathematical modeling of droplets moving from the nose and throat to the deep lungs. Our model showed that the first signs of COVID-19 infection appear Pneumonia and other lung complications can occur within 2.5 to 7 days after exposure. This occurs when droplets of infected mucus from the nose and throat reach the lungs.”
The transport of virus-laden mucus droplets can be reduced by inhibiting the activities that result in the generation of these droplets in the first place. For example, sneezing or coughing can release droplets of infected mucus in the nose and throat.
One strategy to control the formation of such droplets is to administer a cough syrup or expectorant. This will not only prevent spread to others but also prevent an additional source of self-aerosolized droplets that can enter the lower respiratory tract.
Dr Aranyak Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, School of Nuclear Studies and Applications, Jadavpur University, said, “There was another important finding of this work. Our study also shows that while the transport of infected mucus droplets in the airways plays an important role, the growth and severity of infection also depend on the immune response of the infected individual.
“This discovery reinforces the importance of vaccination in preventing serious infections,” said Nilesh Patankar, professor of mechanical engineering at Northwestern University. Vaccines help the body make special cells called B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes (or memory cells). T-lymphocytes suppress virus multiplication. B lymphocytes produce antibodies that destroy the virus.”
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