Inflammation in COVID-19 and the Effects of Non-Pharmacological Interventions during the Pandemic: A Review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that hit the health systems worldwide hard, causing a collapse of healthcare systems. One of the main problems of this new virus is the high inflammatory response it provokes, which is the cause of much of the symptoms. Different pharmacological approaches tried to stop the advance of the pandemic, but it seems that only vaccines are the solution. In this line, different nonpharmacological approaches have been made in order to improve symptomatology, contagion, and spread of COVID-19, the principal factors being the physical activity, nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, and life patterns. The SARS-CoV-2 virus produces a disproportionate inflammatory response in the organism of the guest and causes complications in this that can end the life of the patient. It has been possible to see how different nonpharmacological interventions based on physical activity, nutritional, psychological, and physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can be functional tools to treat this inflammation. Thus, in the present review, we aim to provide an overview of the role of inflammation in COVID-19 and the nonpharmacological interventions related to it.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has greatly impacted global health systems, primarily due to the high inflammatory response provoked by the virus. While different pharmacological approaches have been attempted, vaccines appear to be the most effective solution. Nonpharmacological interventions such as physical activity, nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, and lifestyle changes have also shown potential to improve symptoms.