Male Sexual Dysfunction? What is COVID-19 Sequelae?

Coronavirus is rampant around the world. While the number of infections and deaths continues to rise, many people are cured from coronavirus too. They are all worried about whether they will have sequelae.

20% to 30% of impaired lung function is estimated after cure

The lungs are the target organs for coronaviruses to invade the human body. They are the main battlefield of the virus and the immune system, so the lung function of most patients will definitely be affected, and it is estimated that they will be damaged by 20% to 30% after being cured, the patient’s lung function can gradually recover after systemic treatment.

Pulmonary fibrosis (permanent and irreversible)

The coronavirus damages the lung tissue, the lung tissue will secretes collagen to repair it, the repairing will resulting scars. Lung scars are permanent, but the lungs are elastic, it can usually cope with small scars without any effect. However, if the wound is too large or the damage is over repaired, pulmonary fibrosis will form.

Pulmonary fibrosis after coronavirus cure, it will takes a long time for lung function to return to normal levels, and even a part of it can not be recovered for life. That means, lung function will be reduced leading to permanent loss of labor capacity and exercise endurance. It is impossible to restore the physical strength before illness.

For mild pulmonary fibrosis, after the disease is cured, it will basically not affect daily life. For severe pulmonary fibrosis, it will have a greater impact on life, but you can still survive.

Sequelae of glucocorticoid use

Critically ill patients use glucocorticoids to suppress the cytokine storm, and life support treatment (ventilators and other medical equipment) to allow other organs to get sufficient rest, giving patients a longer buffer time and opportunity to recover.

The use of glucocorticoids can have serious side effects such as glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). Patients with GIOP will develop bone loss and increase the risk of fractures of the spine and hip. The excessive use can cause avascular necrosis of the femoral head of patients. So don’t use glucocorticoids indiscriminately except for critically ill patients.

Affect male fertility

Coronavirus can enter the cell through angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the cell membrane. In other words, any organs and tissues containing ACE2 may be attacked by coronavirus.

There are a large number of ACE2 receptors on the testes and kidneys, especially the testes are almost the highest in humans body. ACE2 is mainly expressed on the spermatogonia, supporting cells and interstitial cells of the testes, these cells are all closely related to male fertility.

Therefore, the testis has also become a potential infection organ of coronavirus, which may cause infertility and sexual dysfunction in some men.

Asymptomatic patients and mild patients may not have any sequelae. If they have sequelae, it will not be too serious, and it can be recovered usually. As long as the sequelae of the critically patients isn’t too serious, it may not have too much impact on daily life.

For men who have been infected with coronavirus, you should put a schedule to go to the hospital for a male reproductive examination to find out if you have any problems to avoid serious consequences.