Coronavirus:-An emerging pathogen

Abstract

Corona virus disease-19(COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Primarily it causes respiratory illness in humans. The pandemic caused by ths virus started in 2019 in Wuhan, China. Later it was declared as pandemic by WHO. In this article I am reviewing the coronavirus along with its microbilogical structure, transmission, pathogenesis, clinical features and its management. The virus is a singl stranded RNA virus. The virus enters the respiatory tract via mucous membrane of mouth or nose. It binds to ACE TYPE 2 receptor and causes alveolar edema and its destruction leading to decrease in gas exchange which further leads to hypoxaemia finally leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It most patients COVID19 presents with mild symptoms and they doesn’t require any medical intervention. But patietnts presenting with severe symptoms needs vigilant medical attention and may require ventilatory support. Most common symptoms are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, nasal congestion. The infection spreads via droplet from an infected person. Infection with this virus may lead to severe inflammatory response leading to release of cytoines which causes increased capillary permeability and vasodilatation leading to hypotension which further leads to decrease in blood supply to multiple organs leading to multiple organ failure. There is increase chances of morbidity and mortality among elderly and in those with comorbidities. In eldrely the chance of fatality is way more than young people. No one drug has been found yet as the ultimate treatment of COVID-19. Many drugs are under clinical trial and researches are going on for vaccine as well. But untill we get a definitive cure the only escape we have is prevention and the only means to do that is to practice social distancing, proper hand hygiene and sanitation.