“First, we insert a tube through your mouth or nose directly into your trachea. This tube allows the machine to push air into your lungs and forces you to inhale. You can’t swallow, speak or cough.

A doctor may replace a person’s ventilator with a tracheostomy if they require ventilation for an extended time. They may also use a tracheostomy to wean a person off respiratory support. A mechanical ...

A ventilator is a device that supports or takes over the breathing process. People with severe COVID-19 symptoms may require a ventilator. Before COVID-19 became a pandemic, a need for ventilation was ...

COVID-19 is stretching health care resources in many different ways, but there’s a key piece of equipment getting a lot of attention: ventilators. So, what is a ventilator, and why does it matter?