SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind Hollingsworth
Keyword(s):  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Multiorgan Failure ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Infected Person ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Asymptomatic Infections ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus which emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019, and from there spread to other parts of mainland China and around the world. The virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. On average, the time from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 to the appearance of symptoms is 5–6 days but can range from 1–14 days. Asymptomatic infections with SARS-CoV-2 can occur. In those with symptoms, most people (approx. 80%) will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without hospital management. Adults 65 years of age and older, and individuals of any age with underlying medical conditions, are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 and death. Complications include respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis/septic shock, thromboembolism, multiorgan failure and death. In rare cases, children and adults can develop a severe inflammatory syndrome a few weeks after SARS-COV-2 infection. Vaccines are available to help prevent COVID-19 disease; by August 2021, 7 vaccines had been authorized for use by the WHO to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, with others approved by country regulatory authorities.

scholarly journals Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-73
Author(s):  
Ernest Kenu ◽  
Joseph Frimpong ◽  
Kwadwo Koram
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infected Person ◽  
Wuhan City ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The disease was christened COVID-19 and the pathogen (an RNA virus) identified as SARS-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2).1,2 The virus is primarily spread through contact with small droplets produced from coughing, sneezing, or talking by an infected person. While a substantial proportion of infected individuals may remain asymptomatic, the most common symptoms in clinical cases include, fever, cough, acute respiratory distress, fatigue, and failure to resolve over 3 to 5 days of antibiotic treatment. Complications may include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.3 Over five million confirmed cases of COVID-19 has been recorded globally with more than 300,000 deaths as at 25th May 2020. The United States of America has recorded the highest number of cases with more than 1.5 million and over 100,000 deaths.4 In Africa, more than 90,0000 cases have been reported with about 3,000 deaths. South Africa has recorded the highest number of cases with 23,615 cases and 481 deaths. Ghana confirmed its first cases of COVID-19 on 12th March 2020 and had as at 25 May 2020 recorded over 7,000 cases with 34 deaths.5  

scholarly journals Acute Lower Limb Ischemia Secondary to COVID-19: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 161-163
Author(s):  
Komal Gharsangi ◽  
Rajesh Bhawani ◽  
Nitesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Multiorgan Failure ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Limb Ischemia ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Acute Limb Ischemia ◽  
Poor Clinical Outcome ◽  
Rare Manifestation ◽  
Thrombotic Complications

COVID -19 is not just a respiratory illness; it is a great masquerader with clinical manifestations from pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome to endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability and multiorgan failure. Thrombotic complications due to Covid related coagulopathy is of concern as it further leads to poor clinical outcome in severe cases of Covid 19. Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a rare manifestation of Covid related coagulopathy. Key words: COVID, coagulopathy, acute limb ischemia (ALI).

scholarly journals COVID-19 Global Pandemic Planning: Decontamination and Reuse Processes for N95 Respirators

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J Perkins ◽  
Steven Villescas ◽  
Terry H. Wu ◽  
Timothy Muller ◽  
Steven Bradfute ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Operating Room ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
N95 Respirators

ABSTRACTCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified as a cluster of respiratory illness in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019, and has rapidly spread across the globe to greater than 200 countries. Healthcare providers are at an increased risk for contracting the disease due to occupational exposure and require appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirators. The rapid worldwide spread of high numbers of COVID-19 cases has facilitated the need for a substantial supply of PPE that is largely unavailable in many settings, thereby creating critical shortages. Creative solutions for the decontamination and safe reuse of PPE to protect our frontline healthcare personnel are essential. Here, we describe the development of a process that began in late February 2020 for selecting and implementing the use of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) as viable method to reprocess N95 respirators. Since pre-existing HPV decontamination chambers were not available, we optimized the sterilization process in an operating room after experiencing initial challenges in other environments. Details are provided about the prioritization and implementation of processes for collection and storage, pre-processing, HPV decontamination, and post-processing of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). Important lessons learned from this experience include, developing an adequate reserve of PPE for effective reprocessing and distribution, and identifying a suitable location with optimal environmental controls (i.e., operating room). Collectively, information presented here provides a framework for other institutions considering decontamination procedures for N95 respirators.

scholarly journals Multiorgan Involvement in COVID-19 and Possible Therapies

2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 20-24
Author(s):  
Prachee Sathe ◽  
Vijay Sundar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
World Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractIn late 2019, China reported cases of respiratory illness in humans, which involved a novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (also known as 2019-nCoV). The World Health Organization (WHO) termed the disease COVID-19 (i.e., Coronavirus disease 2019). Most of the morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 is largely due to acute viral pneumonitis that leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This article will discuss the clinical features of the multiorgan involvement in COVID-19 as well as the management of patients who become critically ill due to COVID-19.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and diabetes: How to manage?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
R. Maskey ◽  
P.P. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Multiorgan Failure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Patients With Diabetes

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of severe complications including Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome and multiorgan failure. Depending on the global region, 20–50% of patients in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had diabetes.

scholarly journals Emerging Mechanisms of Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in SARS-CoV-2-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Potential Therapeutic Targets

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Karmouty-Quintana ◽  
Rajarajan A. Thandavarayan ◽  
Steven P. Keller ◽  
Sandeep Sahay ◽  
Lavannya M. Pandit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Distress Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
1918 Influenza ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The 1918 influenza killed approximately 50 million people in a few short years, and now, the world is facing another pandemic. In December 2019, a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused an international outbreak of a respiratory illness termed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rapidly spread to cause the worst pandemic since 1918. Recent clinical reports highlight an atypical presentation of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients characterized by severe hypoxemia, an imbalance of the renin–angiotensin system, an increase in thrombogenic processes, and a cytokine release storm. These processes not only exacerbate lung injury but can also promote pulmonary vascular remodeling and vasoconstriction, which are hallmarks of pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH is a complication of ARDS that has received little attention; thus, we hypothesize that PH in COVID-19-induced ARDS represents an important target for disease amelioration. The mechanisms that can promote PH following SARS-CoV-2 infection are described. In this review article, we outline emerging mechanisms of pulmonary vascular dysfunction and outline potential treatment options that have been clinically tested.

scholarly journals Airway Management in COVID-19 as Aerosol Generating Procedure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil A. Shallik ◽  
Muhammad Firas Khader Alhammad ◽  
Yasser Mahmoud Hammad Ali Hammad ◽  
Elfert Amr ◽  
Shakeel Moideen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Airway Management ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Infected Person ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Staff Protection ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
High Chance

2020 has seen the whole world battling a pandemic. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets when in close contact with an infected person, by direct contact, or by contact with contaminated objects and surfaces. Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) like intubation have a high chance of generating large concentrations of infectious aerosols. AGPs potentially put healthcare workers at an increased risk of contracting the infection, and therefore special precautions are necessary during intubation. The procedure has to be performed by an expert operator who uses appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Modifications of known techniques have helped to reduce the chances of contracting the infection from patients. The use of checklists has become standard safe practice. This chapter looks at the current knowledge we have regarding this illness and how we should modify our practice to make managing the airway both safer for the patient and the healthcare workers involved. It addresses the preparation, staff protection, technical aspects and aftercare of patients who need airway intervention. It recommends simulation training to familiarize staff with modifications to routine airway management.

scholarly journals COVID 19: AN OVERVIEW OF PATHOGENESIS, CYTOKINE STORM AND INTERFERONS AS A POTENTIAL DRUG THERAPY

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
R. Ishwarya ◽  
V. Kishore Kumar ◽  
K.V Leela
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Distress ◽  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Infected Individual ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Respiratory Droplets ◽  
Intercellular Messenger ◽  
Made In

Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a pandemic and has not been previously identified in humans. Transmission among humans occurs through respiratory droplets of infected individual. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 undergo acute respiratory distress because of Cytokine storm which serve as the major cause of morbidity and mortality in affected individuals. Cytokines are defined as non-structural proteins which are small with low molecular weight and have a greater regulatory influence in inflammation and immunity. They are considered as the intercellular messenger in the immune system. Therefore, this article provides a glimpse of advancements made in the area of SARS-CoV-2 infection where Cytokines may be a useful biomarker for both diagnostic and prognostic purpose and also as a therapeutic agent in targeting certain cytokines responsible for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

scholarly journals Alterations in Various Biochemical Parameters Among Covid-19 Patients: An Observational Retrospective Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1648-1659
Author(s):  
Arul Senghor K. Aravaanan
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Total Bilirubin ◽  
Ferritin Level ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Biochemical Alterations ◽  
Indirect Bilirubin ◽  
Assessment And Monitoring ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Study Participants

Novel coronavirus causing the pandemic infectious disease termed as COVID-19 is characterized by respiratory illness which may lead on to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Ferritin is a key mediator of immune dysregulation leading on to cytokine storm. Alterations in various biochemical parameters have been widely reported in COVID-19. Early identification of effective biomarkers to assess the severity of this disease is essential. Our study was aimed to evaluate the variations in the routinely analysed biochemical parameters and their association with ferritin levels among COVID patients. The study participants consisted of 270 members among which 149 were COVID positive and 121 were negative. Analysis of the routine biochemical parameters as well as ferritin level were carried out. Among the 149 positive cases, 84 (56.4%) were mild positive with ferritin levels <500ng/ml and 65 (43.6%) were severe positive with ferritin levels >500ng/ml. We reported significant increase in serum ferritin levels in severe positive samples (1449.84 ± 249.47) compared to mild positive samples (230.04 ± 17.41). We observed increased levels of total bilirubin in 12.7%, direct bilirubin in 16.8%, indirect bilirubin in 8.7%, AST in 65.8%, ALT in 44.3%, ALP in 9.4%, GGT in 51.7%, urea in 18.4%, creatinine in 14.3%, BUN in 18.4% and decreased levels of total protein and albumin in 23.5% positive patients compared to negative patients. Ferritin and its associated biochemical parameters act as predictors of COVID severity. These biochemical alterations suggest the significance of early risk assessment and monitoring of COVID patients.

scholarly journals Varying Presentations of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Temporarily Associated with COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Jasmina Krikilion ◽  
Lisa Nuyttens ◽  
Siel Daelemans ◽  
Karlien François ◽  
Reiner Mauel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Toxic Shock ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Atypical Kawasaki Disease ◽  
Case Presentations ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Inflammatory Syndrome ◽  
Beneficial Outcome

Background. A novel coronavirus identified in 2019 leads to a pandemic of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with important morbidity and mortality. Initially, children seemed minimally affected, but there were reports of cases similar to (atypical) Kawasaki disease or toxic shock syndrome, and evidence emerges about a complication named paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporarily associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Case Presentations. Two cases were compared and discussed demonstrating varying presentations, management, and evolution of MIS-C. These cases are presented to increase awareness and familiarity among paediatricians and emergency physicians with the different clinical manifestations of this syndrome. Discussion. MIS-C may occur with possible diverse clinical presentations. Early recognition and treatment are paramount for a beneficial outcome.

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