Even as Omicron is considered as a milder Covid-19 variant, health experts are concerned about the long-term health issues, including suppressed immune system which many are exposed to, causing other serious infections viz. tuberculosis, chikungunya, herpes, etc. They advise recovered patients to focus on strengthening their immune system through a healthy lifestyle including yoga.

Existing conditions

Dr Wiqar Shaikh, professor of medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir J J Group of Hospitals, said that the infection requires a robust response from the immunity system of the affected person. He also mentioned cytokines which work as messenger molecules and transmit instructions to the immune system. In a viral infection, the immune system responds through a “cytokine storm” in which there is a massive surge in cytokines leading to inflammation, which may lead to damage to multiple organs and even death. Dr Shaikh quoted a study from the journal Infections Microbes and Disease, which explained that the main culprit is a cytokine called IL-6 (Interleukin-6) which triggers release of other cytokines such as IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-10, which cause local tissue damage.