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		Search Text: Home/< Back ToNHLBI Information & Resources on COVID-19/COVID-19 and the Lungs
  COVID-19 and the Lungs
        
                          Last updated December 28, 2022
COVID-19 and the Lungs
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  How does COVID-19 affect the lungs?

            SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects the cells along the airways. It invades the cells in part by attaching to a specific cell receptor, called ACE-2, found on each cell. The virus uses ACE-2 as a doorway into the cell. The virus then takes over the cell’s ability to make copies of itself, and instead produces more copies of the virus to infect other cells.
What are symptoms of COVID-19 affecting the lungs?

            Some people may feel short of breath. People with chronic heart, lung, and blood diseases may be at risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and acute respiratory failure. Patients with severe problems breathing due to COVID-19 may require oxygen therapy, a ventilator, or other airway support.
What health conditions may put me at higher risk for experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms?

            People with chronic lung conditions have an increased risk for severe COVID-19 and pneumonia. These include:

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
	Asthma
	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
	Cystic fibrosis
	Pulmonary fibrosis
	Pulmonary hypertensionSome chronic heart and blood conditions, diabetes, and obesity may also impact how COVID-19 affects the lungs. Check CDC’s page on higher risk groups for more information on existing medical conditions and COVID-19.
What is NHLBI doing to support research on how COVID-19 affects the lungs?

            NHLBI-funded research aims to understand and address risk factors for the disease, develop prevention and treatment strategies, and find ways to speed up and improve recovery.

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	Lung cell prototypes enhance COVID-19 research
	Arterial wall cells offer insight into coronavirus’ rampage from head to toe
	Researchers create COPD registry for COVID-19
	Researchers discover culprit in deadline COVID-19 lung inflammation
	Dilated blood vessels in the lung provides possible explanation for low oxygen levels in severe COVID-19 cases
	Researchers map SARS-CoV-2 in the respiratory tract
	Sticky, net-like substance may cause life-threatening clotting in lungs of COVID-19 patients
	COVID-19 damages lung blood vessels
What can I do to keep myself and others safe?

            COVID-19 Clinical Trials

This searchable database shows federally and privately supported clinical trials studying COVID-19 in the United States and around the world.
      
                                                                                                                            Find COVID-19 Clinical Trials

  Join a RECOVER Clinical Trial

RECOVER is a research project that aims to learn about the long-term health effects of COVID. They need to learn how COVID affects all people, including adults, pregnant people, and children.You can participate whether you have COVID now, had COVID before, or never had COVID.
      
                                                                                                                            Find RECOVER study sites
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from COVID-19. Wearing a mask indoors, washing your hands often, and staying at least 6 feet from other people can also help protect you and prevent possibly spreading the virus to others. The CDC provides up-to-date information on how to protect yourself and others.

In addition, consider:

Volunteer for avaccine or treatment clinical trial
	See allCOVID-19 clinical studiesBe sure to check these additional COVID-19 information sources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

COVID 19 information from NIH
	COVID 19 information from CDC Back To Top Link
  

        

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