Asymptomatic carrier state, acute respiratory disease, and pneumonia due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Facts and myths
Journal
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
Since the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (formerly known as the 2019 novel coronavirus [2019-nCoV]) in Wuhan, China in December 2019, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), more than 75,000 cases have been reported in 32 countries/regions, resulting in more than 2000 deaths worldwide. Despite the fact that most COVID-19 cases and mortalities were reported in China, the WHO has declared this outbreak as the sixth public health emergency of international concern. The COVID-19 can present as an asymptomatic carrier state, acute respiratory disease, and pneumonia. Adults represent the population with the highest infection rate; however, neonates, children, and elderly patients can also be infected by SARS-CoV-2. In addition, nosocomial infection of hospitalized patients and healthcare workers, and viral transmission from asymptomatic carriers are possible. The most common finding on chest imaging among patients with pneumonia was ground-glass opacity with bilateral involvement. Severe cases are more likely to be older patients with underlying comorbidities compared to mild cases. Indeed, age and disease severity may be correlated with the outcomes of COVID-19. To date, effective treatment is lacking; however, clinical trials investigating the efficacy of several agents, including remdesivir and chloroquine, are underway in China. Currently, effective infection control intervention is the only way to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. ? 2020
SDGs
Other Subjects
chloroquine; remdesivir; adenosine phosphate; alanine; remdesivir; acute respiratory tract disease; age; asymptomatic disease; clinical feature; clinical outcome; coronavirus disease 2019; diagnostic imaging; disease severity; heterozygote; human; incubation time; infection risk; nonhuman; Review; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; sex; virus pneumonia; adolescent; adult; aged; asymptomatic infection; Betacoronavirus; China; comorbidity; Coronavirus infection; infection control; middle aged; pandemic; pathology; procedures; virus pneumonia; young adult; Adenosine Monophosphate; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alanine; Asymptomatic Infections; Betacoronavirus; China; Chloroquine; Comorbidity; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Infection Control; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Young Adult
Type
review