Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 needs to get inside human cells to multiply and thrive. To do this, the outer protein shell of the virus latches onto a matching receptor in human host, called ACE2, normally found in our lungs, kidneys, heart and the gut. Our body’s immune system is critical in determining the disease severity from the point of infection.
Having a strong immune response during the incubation period can prevent the infection taking hold, reduce the actual quantity of virus in the body (viral load) and prevent it from getting to the lungs. Research indicates that specific genetic variations in AHR, TMPRSS2, IL18, CYP1A1, MBL2, IL8, TNF, IL17A and other genes in some individuals might play a role in initial disease severity. By generating an early adaptive immune response in some individuals, the body seems to recognize the virus during the incubation period and fight it off. However, for some people the immune response is excessive or prolonged and causes a "cytokine storm" - a catastrophic overreaction that causes so much inflammation and organ damage, it can be fatal. This causes Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), when fluid builds up in the lungs. Find out your risk for respiratory infections, ARDS and your immune system response.
