Question : What is Cytokines storm in Covid 19?

Dr Nishith Chandra’s reply
Cytokines are a type of signalling proteins, which alerts the body that some infection has occurred, and signals the body to fight it. Normally cytokines are protective proteins, which helps the body fight the infections. But when the cytokines production becomes uncontrolled and there is huge surge in cytokine production in the body, in response to COVID infection, then this otherwise helpful protein, starts damaging body's own tissues and organs, like liver, kidney, heart etc. It is this sudden uncontrolled surge in Cytokines in the body, which is called " Cytokine Storm", which if not treated in time, leads to multiorgan failure and eventual death. However with the help of some inflammatory markers like IL-6, we can anticipate the development of Cytokine Storm and treat it.

Explainer

Debate is on in medical circles whether Covid 19 deaths are being fuelled by Cytokines storm
All of this came to the forefront when many patients with the most critical cases of COVID-19 were experiencing a cytokine storm-like syndrome. When virus enters your body you need your immune response, you just don’t need too much it but a tightly modulated response . If body responds more than what is needed it inflicts self injury.