Title

SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A Brief Review for Family Physicians

Authors

Bindu Mayi, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Aarti Raja, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Gina Foster-Moumoutjis, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Pamela Moran-Walcutt, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Mayur Parmar, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Patricia Rose, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Shahnaz Fatteh, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2020

Publication Title

Osteopathic Family Physician

Keywords

COVID-19 in Males, COVID-19 Management, COVID-19 in Pediatrics, COVID-19 in Pregnancy, Pandemic

ISSN

1877-573X

Volume

12

Issue/No.

4

First Page

20

Last Page

27

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, the newest coronavirus, causes COVID-19, a disease that runs the gamut of symptoms from none too mild to severe to death. The severe cases are most often due to acute respiratory distress. In addition to pulmonary symptoms, the virus causes a wide variety of pathological manifestations involving multiple other systems, including eliciting an exaggerated immune response that contributes to fatalities. The elderly are at the highest risk of severe disease. Higher mortality is seen among males, along with individuals with preexisting comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, among others. Although pregnancy has not been identified as a risk factor yet, more research is needed to assess vertical transmission and strict perinatal precautions are recommended to minimize infecting newborns. Although COVID-19 in children is less likely to be severe, recent cases, albeit rare, have emerged of a multiorgan inflammatory syndrome, similar to Kawasaki disease. Early diagnosis can be done using molecular tests that detect viral genome, while cases manifesting late symptoms can be detected using serological tests looking for antibodies. Although there are no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics for prophylaxis, there are many viable vaccine candidates either in clinical trials or awaiting study in humans. Of the several drugs being considered for treatment, some target the virus, while others address the host factors that facilitate virus infection, from proteases that enable virus entry, to cytokines that elicit a harmful and out-of-control immune response. While we await a standardized prophylactic regimen, it is our collective responsibility to continue engaging in prevention measures.

Comments

Copyright © 2020 by the American College of Osteopathic Family

Physicians. All rights reserved.

NSUWorks Citation

Mayi, Bindu; Aarti Raja; Gina Foster-Moumoutjis; Pamela Moran-Walcutt; Mayur Parmar; Patricia Rose; and Shahnaz Fatteh. 2020. "SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A Brief Review for Family Physicians." Osteopathic Family Physician 12, (4): 20-27. doi:10.33181/12042.

DOI

10.33181/12042