Mutant strain attacks young and old people alike in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People who are younger and considered safer to Covid-19 in the first wave than the elderly people with immunocompromised conditions may well be at equal risk or more in the second wave, going by the nature of Covid-19 deaths in the Capital this year, especially in April.
Men and women, mostly aged between 30 and 40, are falling victims to Covid-19 in the district. April saw nine deaths of people aged below 50 and the list includes a 36-year-old woman on April 27, a 42-year-old man on April 27, a 41-year-old man on April 26 and a 35-year-old man on April 19. There was also a pregnant woman in middle 30s who succumbed to Covid-19 complications. A 30-year-old woman died of Covid on May 2.
Even in the last three months, there were three instances of people aged between 33 and 36 dying of Covid-19 in the district.
Health officials have noticed that many of these cases were late presentations and were characterised by cytokine storm syndrome (CSS); an exaggerated and uncontrolled immune response to a pathogen.
In cytokine storm, the body starts attacking its own cells instead of fighting the pathogen. Overproduction of cytokines puts enormous stress on the organs leading to organ damage and failure.
“There could be two reasons for young people getting sick and even dying due to Covid-19. Many of those above 45 are vaccinated and are more confined whereas youngsters are not vaccinated and move around more freely and they fall sick. We also noticed a change in pattern of virus infection between the first and second wave. The first strain mostly attacked people who were weak, old and had other ailments. In the second wave, the mutant strain infects even those who are considered to be immunocompetent. That’s where the danger lies. This infection now happens irrespective of age and in no time gets complicated,” said a health official associated with Covid treatment.
The health team also dealt with cases of late presentation.
“Some people take symptoms lightly and believe that it would settle. In case of cytokine storm, complications occur so rapidly and by the time the patient is brought to hospital it would be too late to save them. It’s very important to monitor oxygen levels and seek medical care. The nature of reaction of some patients to cytokine storm has been so puzzling,” the official said.
The deaths were also characterized by Covid-induced coagulopathy; a bleeding disorder which impairs blood’s ability to clot.
According to webportal dynamed, it is one of the most significant prognostic factors in patients with Covid-19 and is associated with increased mortality and admission to critical care. Covid mortality among other age groups has also not dropped either in the district.
As many as 54 Covid-19 deaths were confirmed in the district in last four days alone with 28 Covid deaths being confirmed on Tuesday.