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ZeroPointZero_ t1_j9adr7f wrote

From what I understand (my focus is Neuroscience, not Infectious Disease or Immunology), one of the main observed effects of COVID infection is inflammation of the vascular system [1]. Since the vascular system is responsible for maintaining pretty much all organs of the human body, infected individuals can exhibit a variety of symptoms based on the location of the inflammation. For example, neurological symptoms can indicate damage of the vessels around the brain [2].

This effect on the vascular system is not shared by the other pathogens/diseases you have listed, which (generally) target specific organs and/or tissues (respiratory, gastrointestinal, CNS) that are not as widespread and foundational as the vascular system. The variety of different possible targets (read: possible areas where the vascular system may suffer damage) is a very likely explanation for the variety of symptoms of COVID-19.

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CodeBrownPT t1_j9cin7l wrote

This is wrong. Many existing viruses affect the vascular system. For example, the influenza vaccine is one of the strongest interventions we have to prevent cardiovascular mortality.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23474244/#:~:text=A%20spectrum%20of%20cardiovascular%20complications,exacerbation%20of%20existing%20cardiovascular%20disease.

Vascular effects are also not the explanation of varied symptoms. Here's a short excerpt regarding colds and their symptoms.

>The symptoms of the common cold appear to result from release of cytokines and other mediators from infected nasal epithelial cells and from an influx of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Nasal washings of volunteers experimentally infected with rhinovirus showed a 100-fold increase in PMN concentration 1 to 2 days after inoculation.20 The influx of PMNs coincides with the onset of symptoms and correlates with a colored nasal discharge.21 A yellow or white nasal discharge may result from the higher number of PMNs, whereas the enzymatic activity of PMNs (due to myeloperoxidase and other enzymes) may cause a green nasal discharge.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152197/

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mini-rubber-duck t1_j9c7glr wrote

So basically, if those others caused inflammation in a body-wide system like this they could totally have the same wildly differing symptoms, but because they pick more isolated things to attack they don’t.

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