Corona virus is a novel virus,known as severe acute respiratory syndrome virus-2(SARS CoV-2).It was first identified in the Wuhan city of china in 2019,so the disease is termed as COVID 2019.From China ,it has travelled to every part of world making human as a vehicle.It has killed many people world wide.
In 80% of infected people it causes mild disturbances and may go unnoticed.In about 12 % of cases ,infected persons become severe enough to be admitted in hospital and in about 6% cases ,the infected persons need ICU care.Mortality due to this disease is about 2%.
ROUTE OF ENTRANCE INTO THE BODY: It enters into the body through nose ,when an infected person coughs in the near vicinity of an individual.The virus may survive in air,on the surfaces and fomites for a variable period.It also comes in saliva in contrast to common cold virus.So,it may be inhaled from these sites.
The incubation period is 8-37 days,with an average 14 days.An infected person can shed virus for a minimum of 8 days to a maximum of 37 days.
The virus mainly damages the respiratory epithelium and alveoli of lungs causing pneumonia.
CLINICAL FEATURES;Symptoms are cough,sore throat,difficulty in breathing,headache,bodyache,wekness,confusion,dizziness and in some cases,loose motion and vomiting
LABORATORY FINDINGS;Commonb findings on CBC are,leukopenia,lymphopenia and leukocytosis.Other abnormalities are neutrophilia,thrombocytopenia and anemia.
In severe cases,there may be raised D-dimer and prolonged prthrombin time.
IMAGING;Chest X-Ray shows bilateral lung infiltrates in 75% of cases and unilateral lung infiltrates in 25% of cases.
Confirmation of diagnosis; RT-PCR of lower respiratory tract specimen(sputum,tracheal aspirate,BAL fluid) confirms the diagnosis.Sensitivity of upper respiratory tract specimen(throat swab,nasal swab,nasopharyngeal swab )is low.
HIGH RISK OF MORTALITY:Older age,high SOFA score(sequential organ function assessment) and serum level of D-Dimer > 1mcg/ml are the contion with very high mortality.
TREATMENT;There is no definite treatment as of now.Some antivirals have been tried like oseltamavir,ritonavir and lopinavir with variable results.Hydroxychloroquine has also been tried.
PREVENTION;Prevention is the only cure.Maintain respiratory etiquette,avoid crowded places,and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter(3 feets)
REFERENCES: 1.BMJ Best practice COVID 19
2.Lancet.doi:10.1016/SO140-6736(20)30566-3