Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2,[8] a virus closely related to the SARS virus.[9][10][11] The disease is the cause of the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak.[12][13] It is primarily spread between people by small droplets from infected individuals when they cough.[14][15] Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally between 2 and 14 days.[16][17] Hand washing, maintaining distance from people who are coughing, and not touching one’s face are recommended to prevent the disease.[18] It is recommended to cover one’s nose and mouth with a bent elbow when coughing.[18]
People may have few symptoms or develop fever, cough, and shortness of breath.[7][19][20] Cases can progress to pneumonia and multi-organ failure.[12][13] There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, with management involving treatment of symptoms, supportive care, and experimental measures.[21] The case fatality rate is estimated at between 1% and 3%.[22][23] Continue reading “Coronavirus disease 2019”