COVID 19 Causes Kidney Damage
The original article by Mr. Haider Syed in 2020 has been FACT CHECKED in 2025
The original article by Mr. Haider Syed was a very accurate and important summary of the evidence available in the early stages of the pandemic. Here is a fully updated and fact-checked version that reflects our current scientific and clinical understanding as of July 2025.
Updated Fact-Check: “COVID-19 Causes Kidney Damage”
Below is a point-by-point update of the original 2020 article, incorporating the latest research and clinical data.
Original Statement:
“COVID-19… is commonly known to cause damage to the Lungs. With more research and a better understanding of the disease, we now know it can cause severe and lasting damage to the Kidneys. Some patients suffering from severe COVID-19 show signs of Kidney damage, even those with no underlying kidney problems.”
2025 Update: This is entirely correct and has been substantiated by extensive research. COVID-19 is now fully recognised as a multi-system disease that affects organs far beyond the lungs. The observation that it can cause “lasting damage” was particularly prescient. We now have strong evidence that even patients who recover from the initial illness can face long-term kidney complications. It is also confirmed that acute kidney damage can occur in patients with no prior history of kidney issues.
Original Statement:
“According to clinical studies, it can affect up to 30% of patients… Early signs of kidney involvement… include abnormal kidney blood tests and high levels of protein in the Urine… the kidney damage is severe and may require dialysis… People with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic kidney conditions have an increased risk…”
2025 Update: These points have been overwhelmingly confirmed and remain accurate.
- Prevalence: The figure of “up to 30%” is accurate for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. For those in the ICU, the rate of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) can be even higher, sometimes exceeding 40%. The risk for those with mild, non-hospitalised cases is much lower.
- Signs: Elevated blood creatinine and proteinuria are still the key laboratory indicators of kidney injury.
- Severity: The need for dialysis in severe COVID-associated AKI is a well-documented outcome.
- Risk Factors: Diabetes, hypertension, and pre-existing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are firmly established as the primary risk factors for developing severe kidney complications from COVID-19.
Original Statement:
“We are still not very clear how COVID-19 exactly leads to Kidney damage. Among various causes, researchers are looking to include: Lack of Oxygen… Damage to Kidney Cells… formation of blood clots… The immune response… (Cytokines).”
2025 Update: Our understanding here has advanced significantly. While there is still research ongoing, we are no longer “unclear.” We now know that kidney damage is caused by a combination of the factors hypothesised in the original post. The current medical consensus ranks them as follows:
- Systemic Inflammation (Cytokine Storm): This is considered a primary driver. The body’s over-the-top immune response creates massive inflammation that damages the kidney’s delicate filtering structures.
- Blood Clots (Endothelial Damage & Thrombosis): The virus can damage the cells lining blood vessels, leading to the formation of micro-clots (microthrombi) that clog the small vessels in the kidney, starving parts of it of blood and oxygen. This is a major, confirmed mechanism.
- Low Oxygen (Hypoxia): Severe lung involvement (pneumonia/ARDS) reduces blood oxygen, which can directly injure the kidney cells that have high energy and oxygen demands.
- Direct Viral Attack: Evidence has confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can directly infect kidney cells (which have the ACE2 receptors it uses for entry). However, the current view is that this direct attack plays a lesser role than the powerful indirect effects of inflammation and clotting.
Original Statement:
“Thus, COVID-19 Coronavirus can lead to a multisystem failure involving the Lungs, heart, liver and kidneys.”
2025 Update: Absolutely correct. This has become a cornerstone of our understanding of severe COVID-19.
Original Statement:
“We will have more information and answers… For now, please strictly follow the government guidelines… Positive information is coming about a suitable vaccine. Our labs and research centres are working hard to find a treatment… We thank our NHS…”
2025 Update: This section was the most outdated and shows how far we have come.
- Information and Answers: We now have a vast body of information from millions of patient cases and thousands of studies. A major finding is the risk of Long COVID, which can include the development of new-onset Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or the worsening of existing CKD months after the infection has passed.
- Guidelines & Vaccines: Government guidelines have evolved. The core public health advice now centers on vaccination, including staying up-to-date with recommended boosters. Vaccines are safe, effective, and proven to be the best way to prevent severe disease, hospitalisation, and the risk of organ damage.
- Treatments: We now have effective antiviral treatments (e.g., Paxlovid) that, if taken early, can stop viral replication and significantly reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
- Gratitude: The gratitude expressed to the NHS, emergency services, and all healthcare workers remains as relevant and heartfelt as ever.
In Summary: The original post from Mr. Haider Syed was an excellent and accurate forecast of the impact of COVID-19 on the kidneys. Today, we can confirm those early findings and add that the focus has expanded to include preventing severe disease through vaccination and managing the long-term risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in survivors.
Updated July 2025
