Liver Involvement in COVID-19

Covid-19 is a disease caused by a novel type of coronavirus now termed as SARS-CoV-2. The virus originated from Wuhan, #China and has now spread throughout the world now responsible for more than 50,000 deaths worldwide.
The disease is primarily responsible for causing lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS. In the 1.4 million cases noted so far #liver involvement is also seen. The cells of the bile duct contain the same receptors as the ones present in lung by which the virus causes lung damage. Theoretically, it was expected to cause damage by the same mechanism – ACE2 receptors. However, practically we have not noted significant liver injury. No case of #LiverFailure caused by the virus per se is noted. There is rise in transaminases and non-specific abnormalities are noted in #LiverFunctionTests or #LiverProfile. Most studies have found elevation of AST and total bilirubin similar to injury caused by other non hepatotrophic viruses. Initially believed to be caused by virus or our own immune system, a recent paper said it is more of a “collateral damage” or a bystander injury.
If you have liver disease, the incidence of catching SARS-CoV-2 is not higher as compared to general population. But, in view of liver disease, the ability to cope with the infection might differ and they are advised special precautions. They are advised the same social distancing guidelines. All the major societies of the world recommend that you should stay at home and avoid visiting the hospitals. Unless you have a life threatening condition or a complication, you should consult your #LiverSpecialist or #Hepatologist via #TeleCommunication or #E-Consultations. Many platforms are nowadays supporting e consultations including our own Hospital #ZydusHospitals.
With no definite vaccine or treatment a lot of drugs have been tried for the virus and there is a risk of liver injury caused by these drugs. It is not safe to self-medicate by these drugs even if it is available over the counter at many places. The efficacies of these drugs are yet to be proven.


If you worry about your liver in the current #Pandemic or #Lockdown do not venture out to get tests arbitrarily. For you #LiverPains and #LiverFunction related queries, please contact your Hepatologist from the safety of your home.
More Informaton: Drpathikparikh.com
Contact to:- Zydus Hospitals: +91 79 66 19 0218 Bapunagar: +91 75730 23123

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

fibroscan for liver inflammation - overview

  FibroScan is a non-invasive medical procedure used to assess liver health by measuring liver stiffness and determining the degree of liver fibrosis. While it's not specifically designed to detect liver inflammation, it can provide valuable information about overall liver health. Liver inflammation, also known as hepatitis, can result from various causes such as viral infections (like hepatitis B or C), alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, autoimmune disorders, and other factors. It's a crucial aspect of liver health assessment as chronic inflammation can lead to liver damage and fibrosis over time. Although FibroScan primarily evaluates liver stiffness and fibrosis, it indirectly reflects liver inflammation. Inflammation can contribute to liver fibrosis, which in turn affects liver stiffness. Therefore, higher levels of liver stiffness detected by FibroScan may suggest the presence of inflammation. However, FibroScan alone may not provide a complete picture of liver infl
Read more

Understanding Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

  "Understanding Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment" is a clear and informative title that covers the essential aspects of DILI. Here's an outline of what each section might include: Symptoms of Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI): Overview of common symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Discussion on the variability of symptoms depending on the severity and type of liver injury caused by different drugs. Causes of Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI): Explanation of how certain medications and drugs can lead to liver injury. Classification of DILI based on mechanisms, such as direct hepatotoxicity, idiosyncratic reactions, and immune-mediated responses. Risk Factors for Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI) : Identification of factors that increase the likelihood of developing DILI, including specific drug characteristics, patient-related factors (e.g., age, genetics
Read more

Liver Disease

Image
Liver is a complex organ with more than 500 functions. Liver diseases are not just limited to alcohol. Over the last two decades, liver diseases besides alcohol have been considered as a cause for liver failure. The list below is just to name a few. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease Viral Hepatitis Metabolic liver disease Autoimmune hepatitis Drug induced liver injury Vascular liver disease Congenital liver disease Primary biliary cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis Infectious liver disease Granulomatous liver disease Fatty Liver disease is the most common cause of liver disease in India and worldwide. Alcohol related liver disease is constant through these years while viral hepatitis thanks to good treatment availability is decreasing. These liver diseases can present as any of the following manner. Asymptomatic – Incidental finding on investigations Acute hepatitis with or without jaundice Acute Liver failure Chronic hepatitis Cirrhosis of liver A
Read more