COVID-19 FAQ: Can we block the destructive ‘cytokine storm’ that kills critically ill patients?
Recent research suggests that scientists have found a way to limit the devastating immune overreaction in COVID-19 that can result in death....
Endre Szvetnik
Endre Szvetnik is Senior Editor at Sparrow. Endre works with Sparrow Heroes to curate, translate and disseminate scientific research to the wider public.
58 posts
COVID-19 FAQ: How administering immune proteins could stop the illness from turning severe?
UK scientists have reported in a randomised controlled trial (which provides the strongest evidence in the hierarchy of medical research) that inhaled interferons can reduce by 79% the chance of a COVID-19 case turning severe....
COVID-19 FAQ: Is survivors’ blood plasma an effective therapy against the illness?
Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy to treat hospitalised COVID-19 patients has received emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the FDA in the United States. This kind of therapy is a classic prevention and treatment strategy against...
COVID-19 FAQ: How sniffing out main route of the virus could help lower infections?
There is mounting evidence that the novel coronavirus is highly contagious because it can infect us through cells in an easy-to-reach part of the nose....
COVID-19 FAQ: Does social isolation during lockdown affect the brains of the elderly?
Social distancing and shielding measures (asking vulnerable people to isolate in their homes) during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause secondary risk to elderly people....
COVID-19 FAQ: Which distancing policies will people actually adopt – what does the science say?
According to advice by the WHO, following physical distancing measures, sanitising our hands and wearing facemasks are key personal protective behaviours that can help us reduce the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus....
COVID-19 FAQ: Can pregnant or young mums infect their babies?
A recent small-scale study has found that mothers ill with COVID-19 did not pass on the disease to their newborns. Researchers have studied 120 babies who were born to infected mums....
COVID-19 FAQ: Why are rheumatic diseases a risk factor for infection and severe illness?
Researchers have found that the combination of some rheumatic diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondylarthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus) and being over 65 can significantly increase the...