Similar to dengue, those who proceed to develop severe COVID-19 have high levels of many proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, CXCL-10, MCP-1 and the cytokine storm is shown to associate with both severe dengue and COVID-19 (Fig. 2) [137]. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is COVID-19.