Question

What is the cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients?

1) Viral pneumonia
2) Bacterial infection
3) Excessive immune response
4) Oxygen toxicity

Answer 1

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients is predominantly caused by an excessive immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to inflammation and lung damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients is primarily due to excessive immune response to the infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After the coronavirus infects the respiratory tract, it can lead to viral pneumonia, which is a significant trigger for ARDS. However, the progression to ARDS is often complicated by a phenomenon known as the 'cytokine storm,' where the body's immune system overreacts, causing widespread inflammation and damage to lung tissue, impeding proper oxygen exchange and leading to respiratory failure. While pneumonia is the initial trigger, it is the exaggerated immune response that typically causes ARDS in affected COVID-19 patients.