Happy hypoxia, a dangerous covid-19 symptom that comes silent

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Since its emergence last December, the COVID-19 outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spurred scientists to continue studying the current disease. Happy hypoxia is one of the symptoms of COVID-19 that has recently been recognized and stated as a dangerous abnormal symptom.

What is happy hypoxia? How do these symptoms attack human health?

Happy Hypoxia in COVID-19, oxygen levels in the body drop without realizing it

The cases of patients infected with COVID-19 with very low oxygen levels are reportedly increasing. Even though the patient's oxygen level was low, breathing difficulties did not occur as usual symptoms.

Generally, patients can experience acute respiratory distress (ARDS /acute respiratory distress syndrome) or some kind of respiratory failure. But in the case of patients with symptoms happy hypoxia The patient remains conscious and feels relatively healthy, even though the patient's lungs are not able to flow oxygen into the blood normally.

This is an uncommon condition and does not conform to basic biological premises. Because in general, if the oxygen level in the blood is below normal, we will experience symptoms of shortness of breath and dizziness.

But the condition of the patient with silent hypoxia or happy hypoxia it does not show any symptoms, so it is difficult to know the health status due to the COVID-19 infection. The patient does not realize that his health is worse than they thought.

Because COVID-19 attacks the respiratory system, the lack of oxygen levels can endanger patient safety. When the symptoms are visible, the doctor can immediately provide medical action more quickly. However, if these symptoms do not appear, it will be difficult for health workers to treat health faster.

COVID-19 patients with happy hypoxia usually comes to the hospital with mild symptoms, then experiences a rapid worsening of symptoms and can die.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

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Why does happy hypoxia happen?

Doctors speculate that in some people lung problems from COVID-19 develop in ways that are not immediately apparent. For example, when a patient focuses on fighting symptoms such as fever and diarrhea, the body begins to fight oxygen deprivation by speeding up breathing to compensate for it.

The patient himself may notice that his breathing rate is getting faster, but has not immediately sought help even though the oxygen level in his blood is decreasing.

According to a report written by a pulmonologist at the Department of Pulmonology and Respiration Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, doctor Erlina Burhan, the mechanism of attack of this symptom is not yet clear.

However, dr. Erlina suspects this is due to damage to the afferent nerves (signal-sending nerves) so that the brain does not receive stimulation for signs of interference. This is what causes the body not to realize that oxygen levels are below normal.

Without realizing it, the damage has occurred, not only to the lungs but also to the heart, kidneys and brain.

Because happy hypoxia it attacks the body silently, this symptom can develop suddenly into respiratory failure rapidly.

Experts guess this is one of the causes of COVID-19 patients who are young and without comorbidities to die suddenly without previously experiencing shortness of breath.

It is not known exactly when the symptoms of happy hypoxia in COVID-19 patients first appeared. Suspicion of symptoms happy hypoxia It was first reported in April-May 2020. Until now, data on positive cases of COVID-19 with these symptoms have been reported to have increased and need to be watched out.

"Be alert not to think of yourself as a person without symptoms when you have tested positive for COVID-19," said dr. Vito Anggarino Damay, SpJP (K), M.Kes, a specialist in heart and blood vessels.