Probiotics as Potential Therapeutics for Managing COVID-19: Mechanisms and Implications

The transmission of viruses between different animal species and humans can lead to the emergence of new infectious diseases with unpredictable pathogenic potential. COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had a significant impact on human health and the global economy. The disease is characterized by symptoms such as dry cough, fatigue, muscle pain, fever, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and runny nose. With limited vaccine accessibility for individuals between the ages of 18 and 45, exploring alternative therapies is essential. This paper aims to elucidate the preventive and supportive therapeutic role of probiotics in managing COVID-19. It discusses the specific mechanisms by which probiotics regulate the balance of gut microbes, promote gut homeostasis, and exert regulatory effects on the mucosal immune system, the gut-lung axis, and potential antiviral processes.