A scoping review on epidemiology, etiology, transmission, clinical presentation, treatment and management of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (Published)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease which has posed serious threats to global health. This viral disease was discovered in late December 2019, in Wuhan, China. Infection rates due to the pandemic amounts to over 1 million globally while death rate is over 80,000. The United States, Italy and Spain are epicenters of the disease and have recorded more deaths due to the viral infection than other countries. Since the virus is spreading worldwide, on March 11, 2020, the WHO officially described the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. The virus is transmitted when people interact with each other for some time in close proximity. Precisely, this review aims to provide the evidence of early findings on the etiology, transmission, symptoms, treatment and management of COVID-19.Studies have recorded Covid-19 infection in asymptomatic patients and in those with visible symptoms. Elderly people, pregnant women, people with underlining illness and compromised immune system are very susceptible to COVID-19 than other categories of people, however, reports of deaths of people without history of underlining illness has led to controversies. The diseased due to the virus should try to seek appropriate medical help and limit their exposure to other unaffected persons. Currently, there are no vaccines for the pandemic, but the FDA has recommended hydroxyl chloroquine as a therapy for COVID-19. The likelihood of transmission can be reduced by practising hygienic measures. Frequent disinfection and cleaning are advised for groups that are at risk of contracting the virus.
Citation: Nkwoemeka N.E., Okwelogu I.S., Amakiri P.C. (2022) A scoping review on epidemiology, etiology, transmission, clinical presentation, treatment and management of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), International Journal of Cell, Animal Biology and Genetics, Vol.7, No.1, pp., 28-38
Keywords: COVID-19, Therapy, Virus, asymptomatic, epicenter, immune system, pandemic, vaccines