32.6k Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19)

{{c1::COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease of 2019)}} is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered (novel) coronavirus.

The virus that causes COVID-19 was found to be similar to the SARS virus and was named {{c1::severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)}}.

Later, the disease was named {{c1::COVID-19}}.

This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in {{c1::Wuhan, China}}, in December 2019.

COVID-19 caused a {{c1::pandemic}} affecting many countries globally.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are {{c1::fever}}, {{c1::dry cough}}, and {{c1::malaise}}.

Other less common symptoms that can affect some patients include {{c1::aches and pains}}, {{c1::nasal congestion}}, {{c1::headache}}, {{c1::conjunctivitis}}, {{c1::sore throat}}, {{c1::diarrhea}}, {{c1::loss of taste or smell}}, {{c1::a skin rash}}, or {{c1::discoloration of fingers or toes}}.

These symptoms are usually {{c1::mild and begin gradually}}.

Some people become infected but have only very mild symptoms, and some people are completely {{c1::asymptomatic}}.

Most people ({{c1::about 80 percent}}) recover from COVID-19 without needing hospital treatment.

Around 20 percent of people who have COVID-19 become seriously ill and develop {{c1::difficulty breathing}}.

Older people and those with underlying medical problems such as {{c1::hypertension}}, {{c1::heart or pulmonary disease}}, {{c1::diabetes}}, or {{c1::cancer}} are at higher risk of developing serious illness.

However, anyone can contract COVID-19 and become {{c1::seriously ill}}.

COVID-19 is transmitted primarily via human-to-human contact and spreads primarily through {{c1::small droplets from the nose or mouth}}.

Small droplets containing COVID-19 are expelled when a person with the virus {{c1::coughs}}, {{c1::sneezes}}, {{c1::speaks}}, {{c1::laughs}}, {{c1::shouts}}, or {{c1::sings}}.

These {{c1::droplets}} are relatively heavy, do not travel far, and quickly sink to the ground.

People can catch COVID-19 if they {{c1::inhale}} these droplets from a person infected with the virus.

The virus spread quickly from {{c1::China}} to the rest of the world.

{{c1::Virtually all parts of the world}} were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

{{c1::Quarantines}} and {{c1::the mandatory use of masks}} and {{c1::social distancing}} were implemented to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

As with the other types of coronavirus infection, there was {{c1::no specific treatment}} for COVID-19.

Some of the medications that were found to be effective for the SARS variant were found {{c1::not to be effective}} for COVID-19.

EMS and hospital emergency departments were {{c1::widely affected}} by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initially, patient volumes {{c1::declined}} due to the quarantine and fears of contracting the virus at the hospital.

However, as the virus spread, particularly in population-dense areas such as New York City, local hospitals and the EMS system were soon {{c1::overwhelmed}} with COVID-19 patients.

The medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic was initially hampered by {{c1::the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care providers}} as well as {{c1::mechanical ventilators}} because many of these patients developed respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation—often long term.

Furthermore, there was initially {{c1::no testing and no vaccine}} for the COVID-19 virus.

Tests were soon developed as the virus spread across the world and numerous companies began working to produce a safe and effective {{c1::vaccine}}.

The similarities between COVID-19, SARS, and MERS show the similarities of these viruses but also the {{c1::variability}}.