Coronavirus

Key Points

• Coronaviruses
  • Characteristics
    • RNA viruses
      • replicate in the cytoplasm of cells
      • Single-stranded
    • + sense
    • Linear chromosome
    • Enveloped
    • Helical capsid
• Presentation
  • Common cold
    • Presents with acute bronchitis (cough)
  • SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome)
    • Non-specific prodrome with fever/chills, malaise, myalgias, nausea/vomiting, headache
    • Pneumonia
      • Cough, shortness of breath
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)
    • Also known as SARS-CoV-2
    • Transmission
      • Respiratory droplets
      • Transfer from contaminated surfaces
      • Airborne may be possible
    • Presentation
      • Incubation period lasts 5-14 days
      • Pneumonia
        • Presents with fever, cough, dyspnea and hypoxia
      • Myalgias
      • Diarrhea
      • Loss of smell/taste
    • Diagnosis
      • Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT/PCR)
    • Treatment
      • Supportive care
      • Remdesivir in severe disease
      • Dexamethasone may be added for patients requiring ventilatory support