Impact of COVID-19 in Diabetes, Asthma, and Cardiovascular Diseases

Sana Javaid Awan*, Javaria Hafeez, Tayyaba Ajmal, Shafaq Hafeez, Fajjar Azhar, Sehar Munir, Faria Zainab, Nadia Khan and Shamalia Inayat

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 a RNA virus, is a novel virus that belongs to the Coronaviridae family and has caused the most lethal pandemic of the current century. Various variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been circulating since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Its variants are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delt, Mu and Omicron. The fusion of the viral envelope and host membrane occurs when the spike protein of the virus interacts with the host's ACE2 receptor, resulting in the release of viral RNA into the cytoplasm of the host cell. This process is a crucial step in the viral replication cycle, as it allows the virus to hijack the host cell's machinery to produce more copies of itself. Post-COVID-19 complications such as reduced blood flow to the pancreas, myocardial damage and elevated blood clotting levels have been observed. Studies have shown that individuals with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. There is still an ongoing debate among experts regarding the impact of asthma as a premorbid condition on the course of the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The goal of this review is to give a general description of SARS-CoV-2 and highlight COVID-19's potentially negative effects on health.