Higher serum concentrations of IL-17 and TNF-α were presented in COVID-19 patients with obesity than patients without obesity. Obese COVID-19 patients then become more likely to develop respiratory damage, leading to ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and death. Such signs of damage in the respiratory epithelium include bronchial hyperreactivity, decreased calibre of the airway, and significant circulating neutrophilia, which are directly caused by TNF-α and IL-17. The respiratory epithelium responds by releasing mucin and inflammatory cytokines.