For some people they are not able to overcome this virus/flu without treatment/help. My observations have been that in some patients(many healthy) the infection continues to the point where their lungs are not exchanging the gas...CO2 & O2. Their lung x-rays show a white-out...which is bad. Their arterial blood gas shows us that the gases(CO2 & O2) are not being properly exchanged. In some cases their scans have look of "crushed glass". Their bodies/lungs become so "air hungry" we have no choice, but to intubate and put them on a ventilator. Here's my issue: I believe that if the proper treatment was started early it would prevent the majority of these vented patients from ever needing a ventilator. The vent is NOT killing them; it's the uphill battle of the overwhelming infection in the body/lungs without proper treatment. Even if a patient overcomes the infection and off of the vent they are at risk for long-term lasting effects to their lungs from the virus/flu not the vent.
For some people they are not able to overcome this virus/flu without treatment/help. My observations have been that in some patients(many healthy) the infection continues to the point where their lungs are not exchanging the gas...CO2 & O2. Their lung x-rays show a white-out...which is bad. Their arterial blood gas shows us that the gases(CO2 & O2) are not being properly exchanged. In some cases their scans have look of "crushed glass". Their bodies/lungs become so "air hungry" we have no choice, but to intubate and put them on a ventilator. Here's my issue: I believe that if the proper treatment was started early it would prevent the majority of these vented patients from ever needing a ventilator. The vent is NOT killing them; it's the uphill battle of the overwhelming infection in the body/lungs without proper treatment. Even if a patient overcomes the infection and off of the vent they are at risk for long-term lasting effects to their lungs from the virus/flu not the vent.