Scientists finally figured out what makes the coronavirus so dangerous

[Chris Smith]

• Scientists have a new treatment idea for the novel coronavirus that came about after they figured out what makes the virus so dangerous to our bodies: The pathogen camouflages itself after infecting cells to prevent a swift response from the immune system.
• Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center identified an enzyme the virus produces that tricks cells into believing the viral RNA belongs there.
• This mechanism would delay the immune response and allow the virus to replicate inside cells.
• Therapies targeting the enzyme could prevent the coronavirus from hiding in plain sight.

When a pathogen enters the human body it triggers local alarms that signal the immune system to take action and destroy the unknown entity. This is true whether it’s a virus, bacterium, or other types of microorganisms. The same thing happens with the novel coronavirus. Some immune responses are better and more efficient than others though, and that’s why some people experience a milder version of the disease and some have no symptoms at all. Other immune systems will react slower, so the virus will replicate with ease inside the lungs and cause all sorts of life-threatening complications. Then there’s always the overdrive response from the immune system that does more harm than good and can also result in death. Doctors are still trying to figure out why all of this happens and how it can be countered. Drugs like dexamethasone offer a potential treatment for patients experiencing a massive inflammatory response, but better meds are needed to significantly reduce complications and death.

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio figured out what could be a vital element of SARS-CoV-2 behavior. The virus has a way of camouflaging itself once inside the cell to avoid detection. It doesn’t always happen, but this could explain what makes the new virus so dangerous and why some patients have a harder time getting rid of it.

Continue reading...

Today's Top Deals

1. 10 deals you don’t want to miss on Saturday: $1 KN95 face masks, Purell in bulk, $99 smart TV, $24 Roku, more
2. Best Buy’s huge summer sale ends Sunday – here are the 10 best deals
3. 5 Amazon deals you don’t want to miss that are about to end

Trending Right Now:

1. Here’s what one doctor says will happen if the US does nothing else about the coronavirus
2. New stimulus bill may be unveiled today – you’ll probably like what’s included
3. A Harvard doctor just shared a frightening coronavirus prediction

Scientists finally figured out what makes the coronavirus so dangerous originally appeared on BGR.com on Sat, 25 Jul 2020 at 09:01:24 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Via BRG - Boy Genius Report