COVID-19 involves:
Viral Infection: COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, primarily affecting the respiratory system.
Respiratory Tract Invasion: The virus enters cells via the ACE2 receptor, leading to inflammation and damage in the lungs.
Cytokine Storm: Severe cases can trigger an excessive immune response (cytokine storm), causing lung injury and multi-organ failure.
Complications: COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, and death in severe cases.
Clinical Evaluation
Symptoms: Assessment of symptoms such as fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.
Physical Examination: Examination findings may include respiratory distress, low oxygen levels, and signs of systemic inflammation.
Diagnostic Tests: RT-PCR tests for viral RNA detection, chest X-rays or CT scans to assess lung involvement, and blood tests for inflammatory markers.
Fever, dry cough, and fatigue.
Shortness of breath, especially with exertion.
Muscle aches, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.
Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea (less common).
Severe cases may progress to pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Management focuses on supportive care and symptomatic treatment:
Supportive Care: Oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation for severe respiratory failure.
Antiviral Treatment: Remdesivir and other antivirals under emergency use authorization.
Anti-inflammatory Therapy: Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in severe cases.
Preventive Measures: Vaccination campaigns, mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing to reduce transmission.