Author/Authors :
Shirani, Kiana Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Sheikhbahaei, Erfan Student Research Committee - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Torkpour, Zahra Student Research Committee - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Ghadiri Nejad, Mazyar Department Industrial Engineering - Girne American University, Kyrenia, TRNC, Turkey , Kamyab Moghadas, Bahareh Department of Chemical Engineering - Islamic Azad University Shiraz Branch, Iran , Ghasemi, Matina Department Business - Faculty of Business and Economics Girne - American University, Kyrenia, TRNC, Turkey , Akbari Aghdam, Hossein Department of Orthopedic Surgery - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Ehsani, Athena Department of Biomedical Engineering - Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran , Saber-Samandari, Saeed New Technologies Research Center - Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran , Khandan, Amirsalar Department of Electrical Engineering - Islamic Azad University Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract :
Nearly every 100 years, humans collectively face a pandemic
crisis. After the Spanish flu, now the world is in the grip of
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). First detected in 2019
in the Chinese city of Wuhan, COVID-19 causes severe acute
respiratory distress syndrome. Despite the initial evidence
indicating a zoonotic origin, the contagion is now known to
primarily spread from person to person through respiratory
droplets. The precautionary measures recommended by the
scientific community to halt the fast transmission of the disease
failed to prevent this contagious disease from becoming a
pandemic for a whole host of reasons. After an incubation
period of about two days to two weeks, a spectrum of clinical
manifestations can be seen in individuals afflicted by COVID-
19: from an asymptomatic condition that can spread the virus in
the environment, to a mild/moderate disease with cold/flu-like
symptoms, to deteriorated conditions that need hospitalization
and intensive care unit management, and then a fatal respiratory
distress syndrome that becomes refractory to oxygenation.
Several diagnostic modalities have been advocated and
evaluated; however, in some cases, diagnosis is made on the
clinical picture in order not to lose time. A consensus on what
constitutes special treatment for COVID-19 has yet to emerge.
Alongside conservative and supportive care, some potential
drugs have been recommended and a considerable number of
investigations are ongoing in this regard.
Keywords :
SARS virus , COVID-19 , Epidemiology , Pandemics , Coronavirus
