The Covid-19 pandemic involved the US five years ago this month, leaving behind long-term mental health effects as well as long-term physical symptoms.
One of them included a condition known as post-covid pulmonary fibrosis, with lung scarring, which may require lung transplantation, according to the respiratory surgeon.
Early infections caused widespread inflammation in many different systems, said Dr. Scott Sheinin, director of lung lung transplants at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
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“When they cleared the infection, a lot of people were left with some degree of lung tissue destroyed,” Sheinin told Fox News Digital during an interview.
Post-covid pulmonary fibrosis involves scarring of the lungs, which can worsen over time and may require lung transplantation. (istock)
Scheinin provided medical care to New York City's frontlines during the first wave of the pandemic.
“The early collaborative experiences in New York were the worst thing I've ever had in my life. It was just horrifying,” he recalled.
A story about one patient
One of Scheinin's patients was a pastor in his mid-50s who contracted Covid-19 in March 2020.
Rev. Benjamin Thomas, East Meadow, Long Island, spent nearly 100 days in the hospital.
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He was discharged from the hospital in July 2020 in an oxygen tank. Thomas' condition worsened despite overcoming the initial infection.
In 2022, the pastor realized that his daily activity tolerance had decreased dramatically, and that he needed more oxygen for simple tasks.
The inflammatory response caused by early mutations in the novel coronavirus has resulted in scarring in the lungs of many individuals. (istock)
“I couldn't shower for more than 30 seconds without taking oxygen,” he told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Scheinin said the pastor had no fundamental terms before he signed up for Covid. Lung biopsy showed that Thomas' symptoms were consistent with post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis due to Covid-19 infection.
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Thomas' story was notable in that he survived his first match with Covid, but two years later, Sheinin shared that a double lung transplant was necessary as his lungs had severely deteriorated.
After spending seven months on the waiting list, Thomas chose to settle in one lung. His surgery took place on February 28, 2023.
“The flu and other illnesses get worse because of scars underlying the lungs.”
Now, two years after the lung transplant, Thomas says he no longer needs oxygen, and although at a slower pace than before, he is back to doing daily idyllic activities at his church in Queens village, New York.
The pastor returns to long distance driving and is now able to walk for about 30 minutes. He attributes his successful recovery to the efforts of the medical team on Mount Sinai, his faith and prayers from his congregation.
What is post-covid fibrosis?
Healthy lungs allow for the normal exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide when breathing air, Scheinin told Fox News Digital.
The inflammatory response caused by early mutations in the novel coronavirus has resulted in scarring in the lungs of many individuals.
Testing for this condition is relatively non-invasive and usually includes a CAT scan or x-ray to check structural lung damage, blood tests and lung function tests. (istock)
In certain cases, doctors say the lungs are no longer functioning and are not functioning the same way they did before the infection.
“Normal gas exchange is prevented because it's not normally functioning because the area of the lung tissue is now damaged,” he said.
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“If it's a small area, it may be insignificant and unobtrusive, but as more lung tissue gets injured, more normal lung function will be destroyed, [and] The patient becomes short of breath. ”
This can lead to future problems, especially if the patient is exposed to other respiratory diseases.
“The flu and other illnesses will be exacerbated due to scars underlying the lungs,” Sheinin said. “I think it's just that my lungs are more susceptible to injuries.”
Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Symptoms of post-covid pulmonary fibrosis can mimic other types of interstitial lung disease, which are disorders that cause progressive scarring and inflammation of the lung tissue.
According to Scheinin, if a person who had previously had a COVID infection continues to experience a radical change in conditions such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, or pneumonia or emphysema, or if they have a fundamental condition such as emphysema.
Risk factors for post-Covid pulmonary fibrosis usually include the use of mechanical ventilation during the underlying chronic disease, older age, and the acute phase of Covid. (istock)
Testing for this condition is relatively non-invasive and usually checks structural lung damage, blood tests and lung function tests, including CAT scans or x-rays, doctors told Fox News Digital.
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Not all people infected with COVID develop pulmonary fibrosis, and the condition may differ in severity and recovery, lung experts pointed out.
In some cases, a person may develop pulmonary fibrosis due to the underlying condition, and Covid-19 infection may promote fibrotic progression.
If you have symptoms, it is important to check out with a medical professional, lung experts, especially shortness of breath, said. (istock)
If you have symptoms, especially if you have shortness of breath, it is important to check out with a medical professional.
Risk factors for post-Covid pulmonary fibrosis usually include the use of mechanical ventilation in the auxiliary chronic disease, older age, and the acute phase of Covid, according to previous studies.
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Researchers are investigating the use of antifibrotic drugs along with steroids and other anti-inflammatory agents currently being used to treat other lung diseases.
In addition to treatment, treatment may include lung rehabilitation, exercise training and behavioral modification, according to lung experts.
