Decoding COVID-19: What can genetics reveal about the coronavirus pandemic?

[2greys]

Why do some people fall ill from SARS-CoV-2 while others infected with the virus experience no symptoms?

Why do some people develop neurological, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms while infection sticks to the respiratory system in others?

Since older age and underlying health conditions put people at greater risk of becoming seriously sick or dying from COVID-19, why do some young and otherwise healthy people barely survive the disease, while some elderly people with multiple risk factors weather it with only minor symptoms?

In addition to individual behavior, preexisting conditions and sheer luck, answers could lie in people's genes.

[deni-123red_]

I believe the same thing was true when bubonic plague decimated millions of people in Europe. Those who survived or weren’t touched by this terrible plague had natural immunity. I guess if you’re one of the lucky ones, you have your genes to thank.

[Bkin]

So far its not fully understood, but I do believe there has to be something in the DNA or lacking in the DNA which determines the patient outcome.

Even though generally those with pre existing health issues would be more at risk.

It would be interesting to know the blood groups of all those who died, if there is a real pattern there. So far its been said Blood group A is inclined to have more severe symptoms and Blood group O less severe, but you can bet there are exceptions.

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to Bkin]

I had also heard about the Blood Group issue. There is so much still to learn, I just hope that China, Spain, Italy and here kept good records across this dreadful time, because there will be so much useful information about those who survived, were very ill and those who died. Then we need to find as many people as we can who had it, but were asymptomatic, to take blood and Genetic markers, to see what about them is different. Research there for years of study.

[Ergendl in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Yes, people with blood group O have less severe Covid infections that people with A, B or AB. It's probably to do with immune reactions.

[2greys]

Congratulations, for providing another piece to the puzzle. Go to the top of the class.

[2greys]

Yes I have read that. Hopefully all these trials will help treat patients, when a second wave comes.

I know that I doubled my aspirin dose, when ill with the virus, so that my blood was not as sticky, whether it helped or not is an unknown. The only contact that the doctors had with me was via Sharon who was worried when my sats plummeted and told her I should go to hospital, which I declined. I was left to fend for myself all through.

[Corin1950]

We do know that the majority of deaths are in the over 75s group and that people of BME origin have been disproportionally affected even when social factors are taken into account. There’s a lot of research needed.

You pose some interesting questions and hopefully in time we will get some answers. We do need them as we do not know what the future holds but experts agree that another pandemic could be with us again soon.

Hope you are doing ok and that Sharon has recovered from her ordeal last week.

Take care

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