DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2021.v09i03.035

Pages: 481-486

COVID-19 is caused by novel β-coronavirus (SARSCoV2). It was first discovered in 2019, in Wuhan (seafood market), China. It was declared a global pandemic on 30th Jan 2020 by the WHO. Person to person transmission via respiratory droplets is source of infection. The incubation period is 2 weeks from exposure. Middle aged and elders >70 years age or people with co-morbid conditions like Diabetes mellitus, lung diseases, obesity, immune-compromised state and kidney diseases predominantly affecting and leads to rise in mortality. Environmental contamination via contaminated surfaces in areas with high infective cases like quarantine centers or hospitals are also an important aspect of spreading the virus. So, routine cleaning with sodium dichloroisocyanourate disinfectant is needed. Protective antibodies against SARSCoV2 receptors binding domain of spike protein and nucleocapsid protein appears on day 14 following symptom onset. The antibody titers by Enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) correlates with neutralizing activity and protective nature of antibody. To understand the risk of reinfection, serological screening tool will be an important tool for population immunity or people already infected. SARS CoV 2 and SARS CoV share similar spike protein gene and RBD, i.e. capability of viral transmission in humans. Whole genome sequencing of SARS CoV 2 is similar to SARS like bat CoVs. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Most common and severe manifestation is pneumonia which presents with fever, cough, dyspnea and bilateral lung infiltrates on chest imaging. Specimen is collected from upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx and/or oropharynx) and lower respiratory tract (such as sputum, Broncho Alveolar Lavage (BAL). The diagnosis can be made via RT-PCR, Rapid antigen test, Rapid antibody test etc. but disease progression can be seen via radiological test like chest X-ray and CT. The mainstay of therapy of COVID-19 is supportive and ............