Sampriti Roy, University of Calcutta
As the second wave progresses, we are increasingly seeing new and “unpredictable” symptoms associated with the coronavirus. One among those conditions that have silently been causing serious damage is the condition called “Happy Hypoxia”.
What is Happy Hypoxia?
It is a condition associated with COVID-19 that “seems to defy basic biology”, according to ScienceMag. Normally, patients of COVID-19 have been seen to display oxygen saturation levels significantly below the normal 95% saturation level. This leads to prominent breathlessness seen in patients- a warning sign for imminent brain and organ failure to come. COVID-affected patients with the condition of Happy hypoxia are often found to be in much worse health than they realize because the apparent signs are not seen at the expected time in disease progression.
COVID-19 can bring about a variety of symptoms like fever, diarrhea, among others. So, as patients focus on fighting these symptoms, the body takes charge of fighting back against low oxygen concentrations by speeding up breathing. What is worrisome is that patients, focused on other symptoms, do not notice this change in their breathing, or ignore it. In the meantime, the body starts somewhat adjusting to the low levels of oxygen, like it would if a person traveled to a higher altitude. But this condition, over some time, can result in oxygen saturation falling to concerning levels and not being detected until it’s too late.
What is the reason for decrease in oxygen levels?
There is an inflammatory reaction in the body found to be triggered by SARS-COV-2 infection, followed by the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. This is found to prompt cellular protein reactions that form blood clots and thus, cells and tissues in the lungs are prevented from receiving adequate oxygen supply. Widespread clotting takes place in the network of small blood vessels present in the lungs. A majority of medical professionals and researchers hold the opinion that the primary cause behind happy hypoxia is that the lung problems in this case advance in a way that is slow and not apparent.
How to identify happy hypoxics?
As estimated by Dr Rajkamal Choudhry, associate professor at the Department of Medicine of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (Bhagalpur, Bihar), about 30% of Indian patients who need hospitalization have happy hypoxia. Some of the following symptoms may be seen in people affected with the condition:
- Minor COVID-19 symptoms: cough, headache, fever
- Skin discoloration to purple or red tones
- Change in lip coloration: From natural tone to bluish
- Profuse sweating, even while doing light work
How to identify it in early stages?
While India is battling a second wave, it is being seen that the younger population in their 20s and 30s are being affected by the disease as well. It is being seen that the younger population having oxygen levels as low as 80% or even less isn’t always exhibiting any of the general symptoms of COVID-19 such as challenges in breathing, cough, and fever. This is especially concerning because oxygen levels as low as 80% indicate severe malfunctioning of the lungs but due to lack of symptoms, the levels are not even checked until the manifestation of more severe forms of COVID is seen.
When having minor COVID-19 symptoms, it is important that oxygen concentration in the system is measured at regular intervals of time, as directed by a medical professional. A pulse oximeter is used in this case, which employs a non-invasive technique to instantly display the blood oxygen saturation and the heart rate. These are found out by simply clipping the oximeter to the fingertip, after which the device analyses two wavelengths of light from the blood flowing through the finger’s clipped region. One of the wavelengths determines how fast the heart is beating, i.e. the pulse rate, and the other determines the oxygen levels in the bloodstream. This allows for low oxygen concentrations to be detected at early stages and starting treatment before significant damage has been done to the lungs. This also allows for asymptomatic individuals to be aware of their condition, isolate themselves, and not act as active spreaders of the disease.
How can we battle happy hypoxia?
With new strains and associated conditions increasingly baffling the medical and scientific community, what we can do right now is follow the instructions that we have been provided to date by healthcare professionals and the international medical community. These include most importantly keeping an eye out for warning signs and seeking consultation and/or treatment as soon as the first warning signs are visible. At the moment, it is awareness, prompt treatment, and further research with which the country can equip itself to battle this silent killer.
Also read: Coviself: Covid-19 home testing kit approved by ICMR
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