COVID-19: The New Threat

Abstract

: In December 2019 the world has come to know a new coronavirus disease named COVID-19. It has affected mainland China mostly and has spread to all continents of the world except Antarctica. Patients mostly have come with a flu-like illness and non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms to a lesser extent. In most cases, home isolation is effective. However, cases of moderate to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) require hospitalization and few cases need mechanical ventilation. Older adults with a pre-existing medical illness suffer more. Different newer molecular techniques are developed to confirm the diagnosis. Currently, there is no existing treatment and vaccine. Different anti-microbials are on trial. Infection prevention practice is the best for now. With its highly contagious nature and increasing panic among nations, the world is waiting for definitive newer treatment options and a potential vaccine. This narrative review has compiled the updated information about COVID-19 in the hope that it will be helpful to the medical professionals in their knowledge and be prepared for the outbreak of a pandemic.