SARS-CoV-2 infection can increase ‘acute respiratory distress syndrome’ (ARDS) associated with ‘cytokine storm’ which is characterized by dysregulated overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, leading to increased vascular permeability, coagulopathy, organ damage and multiorgan failure. This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and acute respiratory distress syndrome.