Underactive immune response may explain severe Covid in obese: Study

New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI) People who are obese may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 because of a poorer inflammatory immune response, according to a study.

The research, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, found that following SARS-CoV-2 infection, cells in the lining of the lungs, nasal cells, and immune cells in the blood show a blunted inflammatory response in obese patients, producing suboptimal levels of molecules needed to fight the infection.

While some people have very mild -- or even no -- symptoms due to COVID-19, others have much more severe symptoms, including acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring ventilator support.