Latest research suggests that nose could be the probable entry point for COVID 19
infections. Researchers, Richard Boucher and Ralph Baric along with their colleagues at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill got down to track the ease with which the
COVID 19 infects the cell types in the respiratory tract. The researchers found a gradient of
infectivity that decreases from the upper to the lower respiratory tract: the most easily
infected cells are in the nasal cavity, and the least easily infected deep in the lungs. (Y. J.
Hou et al. Cell http://doi.org/dw2j; 2020). Scientists have also noted that goblet and
ciliated cells in the nose have high levels of the entry proteins that the COVID-19 virus uses
to get into our cells. And this could be a probable reason for the high rate of transmission.
It has been assumed that the virus gets a foothold into the nose and then slowly sneaks into
the respiratory tract when breathed through. This somehow supports the theory of
wearing masks, which filters the air we breath and use of nasal clearing as a preventive
measure. The study wit. A study at the Human Cell Atlas Lung Biological Network also has
seemed to find cells in the eye and some other organs which also contain the viral-entry
proteins.
Novel Coronavirus or COVID 19 is known to affect the lungs and airways of the patient.
While Infected person may experience flu like symptoms including, fever, coughing and
sore throat, many are found to be asymptomatic but potent carriers of the virus. In worst
cases, the COVID 19 patient develops pneumonia that can lead to untimely death. The virus
is known to be spread from the respiratory droplets developed from the infected person’s
cough or sneeze. So, far the virus has infected over 6.3 million people from 213 countries
and territories worldwide.