Introduction
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)
i. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-stranded RNA virus with envelope, a
kind of a ‘Beta Corona Virus’.
ii. It is speculated that its RNA sequence and that of the bat
coronavirus are more than 80% similar. There is a strong
theory that the pangolin acted as an intermediate between
bats and humans.
Infection Route of COVID-19
i. Although it is estimated that human-to-human transmission
through droplets is the primary route of transmission, a
number of research results suggesting the possibility of
airborne transmission have recently been published.
ii. Although there are reports that SARS-CoV-2 was cultured
in secretions such as feces or urine, it is not clear whether
transmission through feces or urine can actually occur.
Infectivity of COVID-19
i. Summarizing the results of the studies which have so far been conducted, it seems that COVID-19 patients become contagious 2-3 days before the onset of symptoms. Infectivity usually lasts 5-7days after which it decreases.
Clinical Symptoms and Complications of COVID-19 Disease
i. Asymptomatic (50%), mild-to-moderate (40%), severe (10%)
including respiratory failure.
ii. Cough (50%), high fever (40%: 38°C or higher), headache
(35%), dyspnea (30%), sore throat (20%), diarrhea (20%),
nausea and vomiting (15%).
iii. Other symptoms include loss of smell, loss of taste, fatigue,
decreased appetite, hemoptysis, dizziness, runny nose, nasal
congestion, chest pain, conjunctivitis, skin changes, etc.
iv. Respiratory Complications: Lung fibrosis due to ARDS and
pneumonia
v. Cardiovascular Complications: Elevated blood pressure,
acute myocardial injury, arrhythmia, myocarditis, heart failure,
acute coronary syndrome, atherosclerotic event and venous
thromboembolism
vi. Acute Kidney Injury: Acute kidney injury due to high fever
and dehydration and poor oral intake
vii. Gastrointestinal Complications: poor oral intake, indigestion,
diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, elevated hepatobiliary function
parameters and pancreatic enzyme levels.
viii. Cytokine Release Syndrome: ARDS, sepsis, DIC, multiple
organ failure pattern
ix. Nervous system-related symptoms and complications:
Ischemic stroke, encephalitis, meningitis, impaired
consciousness, Ataxia, convulsions, neuralgia.
COVID -19 Disease Patterns and Severity Risk Factors in Patients with Pre-Existing Diseases
i. Elderly patients with many underlying diseases are considered
to have a high mortality rate because they cannot endure the
symptoms and clinical manifestations itself of COVID-19 (high
fever, high blood pressure, dehydration, breathing difficulty,
thromboembolic events etc.).
ii. Patients with pre-existing diseases such as high blood pressure,
diabetes, hyperlipidemia generally suffer of a worsening of
these diseases which then become difficult to control and
require a higher medication.
iii. In many instances patients develop newly diagnosed disease
in the course of their COVID-19 infection, such as high
blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, which need to be
continually followed up even after the patients recovers from
COVID-19.
iv. Another chronic underlying diseases that are well controlled
(solid cancers, hematologic diseases, autoimmune diseases,
etc.) do not have much influence on the conversion of COVID-19
to severe form.
v. Obesity is a risk factor for severe respiratory failure regardless
of age or underlying disease.
Clinical Course and Treatment of COVID-19 Disease
i. Each person has a different incubation period (7-10 days)
depending on the individual’s immunity, the duration of the
illness and the transition period of the corona virus test to
negative (14-21 days). The clinical features and complications
experienced by each person are different.
ii. Continued intake of medications to control existing chronic
diseases.
iii. Popular treatment (fluid treatment, antibiotic treatment,
antipyretic analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.) for
symptom relief and normalization of test values, control of
abnormal findings such as high fever, cough, sputum and pain
by public medications is also helpful to overcome mild to
moderate COVID-19 disease.
iv. Monoclonal Antibody (Regdanvimab) is effective in preventing
progression to severe disease pattern when administered
within 7 days of a diagnosed pneumonia (by CT scan) for
patients under 60 years and in any case for patients older than
60 even when oxygen saturation is maintained above 95%.
v. The antiviral drug(Veklury) has been proven effective
when administered as early as possible in case of
pneumonia(confirmation by CT scan) and an oxygen saturation
level below 94%.