Can Young People Get Serious COVID-19 Infection?

Introduction

There is an assumption that COVID-19 only affects the elderly, but this statement couldn't be more wrong.

Young people and even children, infants, and babies have been recorded to have contacted COVID-19, a statement also expressed by the head of the European WHO branch, Hans Kluge. He stated that age is not the only factor when it comes to the transmission of COVID-19.

There are numerous covid cases which have involved young people, with some requiring intensive care and even reports of death.

It has been so severe as to warrant an official warning from the World Health Organization that children could be infected with the COVID-19 virus and that the infection could be harmful to the point of causing death. Data collected from many countries clearly show that those under the age of 50 are the majority of patients who need to be hospitalized worldwide.

As such, young people must abide by the SOP set in place and practice the new norms by not assembling at will, maintaining cleanliness, and wearing face masks in public places.

Death Info Involving Young People

Among the death cases involving young people due to COVID-19 in Malaysia are:

• 7 Feb - 18-year-old female patient (history of asthma)

• 7 Feb - 37-year-old female patient (history of kidney problem)

• 24 Dec - 15-year-old female patient

Cause of Young People Getting Infected and Dying Due to COVID-19

There are several possible causes of young people dying from COVID-19. Among the causes are:

1. Not knowing the status of the disease they are experiencing as a result of never undergoing a health screening test before.

2. Feel themselves healthy due to their youth.

3. Waiting too long to seek medical help despite having respiratory symptoms such as cough and fever without realizing that the symptoms can be fatal.

4. Not seeking early treatment or are afraid to seek treatment thus causing the condition to worsen.

5. Experiencing financial hardships that prevent them from seeking proper medical care.

6. In an effort to restore the economy weakened by the pandemic, the looser MCO has instead caused an increase in covid cases due to workers returning to the office. 

7. The young person having a history of health complications that include but are not limited to diabetes, high blood pressure, and others.

8. ACE2 gene variation. According to an article published by the journal Science, immunologist, Dr. Philip Murphy of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases / NIAID in the United States, explains that ACE2 gene mutations that alter receptors can make the virus easier or harder to enter a person's lung cells.

What Experts Say

Let's look at the opinions of experts on this matter:

1. Dr. Christopher who is also the former Deputy Director General of Health (Research and Technical Support) refutes the assumption that only older individuals can be infected with COVID-19.

2. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Public Health Physician, Associate Prof Dr Mohd Dzulkhairi Mohd Rani, said there are many young COVID-19 patients who do are not conscious of their health status.

3. Former Deputy Director General of Health (Medical), Datuk Dr Rohaizat Yon, said the deaths that occur involving young people in recent times can most likely be attributed to not getting early treatment or having a fear of getting treatment causing the situation to worsen, with hopes that further investigation can be done on this subject.

Conclusion

What can be concluded from this article is that young people can also be infected by the disease and it is possible for health complications to occur and even worsen to death. 

COVID-19 among young people is a field that requires further study, according to the MOH. Despite the organization's effort to improve its service quality to help stop the spread of COVID-19, it is up Malaysians, both old and young, to tackle the responsibility of restoring society. We can do this through complying with the latest guidelines, and being aware that even if we ourselves are not affected, our actions have the potential to affect others.