Corticosteroid Protection Against COVID-19: Begin with the Nose

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem condition associated with cytokine-mediated hyperinflammation and coagulopathy due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The nose is usually the first portal of viral entry to the respiratory tract, followed by rapid nasociliary clearance of secretions to the oropharynx and aspiration into the lungs. Early involvement of the nose explains why patients with COVID-19 often experience an alteration in the sense of smell as a presenting symptom. Indeed, the nasopharynx is the most common site for SARS-CoV-2 swab testing. In more severe cases, often in susceptible older individuals with relevant comorbidities, SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in pneumonitis with hypoxia followed by adult respiratory distress syndrome, requirement for mechanical ventilation, and ultimately death.

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.08.025

Repository URI

https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/7260de55-6392-4cc9-8cc0-9ef60618de2d