Coronavirus
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Key Points
- Coronaviruses
- Characteristics
- RNA viruses
- replicate in the cytoplasm of cells
- Single-stranded
- + sense
- Linear chromosome
- Enveloped
- Helical capsid
- RNA viruses
- Characteristics
- 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
- Common cold