During the COVID-19 pandemic, some doctors attributed many deaths to cytokine storms.[22][23] A cytokine storm can cause the severe symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which has a high mortality rate in COVID-19 patients.[24] SARS-CoV-2 activates the immune system resulting in a release of a large number of cytokines, including IL-6, which can increase vascular permeability and cause a migration of fluid and blood cells into the alveoli leading to such consequent symptoms as dyspnea and respiratory failure.[25] The higher mortality has been linked to the effects of ARDS aggravation and the tissue damage that can result in organ-failure and/or death.[26]