Daegu 20s COVID-19 Patient Exhibits 'Cytokine Storm' Symptoms

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Young-wook] A man in his 20s from Daegu who tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is reportedly relying on ventilator treatment due to symptoms of a "cytokine storm."

According to health authorities and Daegu city on the 20th, a 26-year-old patient is classified as a severe case and is receiving treatment in a negative pressure ward at Kyungpook National University Hospital. The patient is suspected to be experiencing symptoms related to a cytokine storm, a phenomenon where immune substances are excessively secreted when a virus invades the body, attacking normal cells, and medical staff are monitoring the progress.

Kim Shin-woo, head of Daegu City's Infectious Disease Control Support Group, said, "Cytokine storms are not exclusive to COVID-19; they have also been reported in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)." He added, "White blood cells fiercely fight the virus, which can lead to multiple organ failure damaging the kidneys, liver, and lungs, so we are fully committed to treatment."

Some in the medical community suspect that the case of a high school student in Daegu who previously died from pneumonia symptoms may have been due to a cytokine storm.

Currently, among confirmed cases in the Daegu area, 35 severe patients are dependent on ventilators, and among them, 9 are receiving ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) treatment.