Is the Nose the Key to Varying COVID-19 Severity?

One mystery that has, so far, stumped scientists and researchers is why do COVID-19 cases vary in severity. How can two people with nearly the exact same health and life circumstances have polar opposite cases of COVID-19. For some people it’s nothing more than a slight cold, while for others it’s a life-or-death battle. However, researchers from MIT have published a study positing that the body’s initial response to the SARS-CoV-2 infection within the nose is the ultimate factor in whether or not the infection is severe. 

This study was conducted by taking nasal swabs of individuals infected with COVID-19 and comparing it to healthy individuals. It was discovered that individuals with COVID-19 had an increased immune response and more mucus-secreting cells, but they had significantly less ciliated cells. These ciliated cells have a key function in immune response; they move rhythmically to remove and get rid of microbes, debris, and other foreign bodies from the respiratory airways. While mucus is normally a key immune response, the lack of mature ciliated cells seems to be one of the key factors in the severity of COVID-19 infections. 

Another finding of the study that’s a bit puzzling for researchers is how the severity of COVID-19 infections interacts with the antiviral response of the infected cells. In moderate cases, the genes that are responsible for the antiviral response were turned on, while in severe cases, this antiviral response was limited and the inflammatory response was increased. Some researchers believe that this increased inflammatory response could be the main reason that some cases are so much more severe, but they’re still looking for an actual link.  

Despite a vaccine being available, Covid-19 is still a new virus, and much is still unknown. The best way you can protect yourself is to have a healthy lifestyle and to keep your immune system at peak performance. You can try out our boosting products to bolster your defense against viral infections with BodyK’s Boost Box Viral Defense. BodyK has two Covid-19 tests available: the Ray Biotech Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Test and the Vibrant Clinical Laboratories DBS COVID-19 Antibody Test.