Part 9/12:
The immune response to infection can sometimes become dysregulated—leading to excessive inflammation, tissue damage, and severe pneumonia. In some patients, this "immune overreaction" results in catastrophic respiratory failure, necessitating ventilatory support and intensive care. Despite technological advances, some patients succumb despite maximal intervention.
The Real-Time Battle: Laboratory and Clinical Efforts
Laboratories raced to decode the virus’s genome, which revealed that SARS-CoV-2 was related to SARS but with more copies per sample, indicating greater transmissibility. This molecular understanding helped guide diagnostic development, epidemiological modeling, and public health strategies.