| Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) | |
|---|---|
| Other names | |
 | |
| Symptoms of COVID-19 | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Specialty | Infectious diseases |
| Symptoms | Fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell, none[4][5][6] |
| Complications | Pneumonia, viral sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, kidney failure. |
| Usual onset | 2–14 days (typically 5) from infection |
| Causes | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) |
| Risk factors | Travel, viral exposure |
| Diagnostic method | rRT-PCR testing, CT scan |
| Prevention | Hand washing, face masks, mass testing, quarantine, social distancing |
| Treatment | Symptomatic and supportive |
| Frequency | 2,682,225[7] confirmed cases |
| Deaths | 187,330 (7.0% of confirmed cases)[7] |
Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.[5] Other symptoms may include fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhoea, sore throat, loss of smell, and abdominal pain.[5][12][13] The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is typically around five days but may range from two to fourteen days.[5][14] While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to viral pneumonia and multi-organ failure.[9][15] As of 23 April 2020,[update] more than 2.68 million cases have been reported across 185 countries and territories,[16] resulting in more than 187,000 deaths. More than 732,000 people have recovered.[7]
The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact,[a] often via small droplets produced by coughing,[b] sneezing, or talking.[6][17][19] After breathing out produces these droplets, they usually fall to the ground or on to surfaces rather than remain in the air over long distances.[6][20][21] People may also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.[6][17] The virus can survive on surfaces for up to 72 hours.[22] It is most contagious during the first three days after the onset of symptoms, although spread may be possible before symptoms appear and in later stages of the disease.[23]
The standard method of diagnosis is by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab.[24] Chest CT imaging may also be helpful for diagnosis in individuals where there is a high suspicion of infection based on symptoms and risk factors; however, guidelines do not recommend using it for routine screening.[25][26]
Recommended measures to prevent infection include frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance from others (especially from those with symptoms), covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or inner elbow, and keeping unwashed hands away from the face.[27][28] The use of masks is recommended for those who suspect they have the virus and their caregivers.[29] Recommendations for mask use by the general public vary (because, amongst other reasons, the number of masks purchased by the public severely impacts availability to medical professionals), with some authorities recommending against their use, some recommending their use, and others requiring their use.[30][31][32] Currently, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19.[6] Management involves the treatment of symptoms, supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures.[33]
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)[34][35] on 30 January 2020 and a pandemic on 11 March 2020.[10] Local transmission of the disease has occurred in most countries across all six WHO regions.[36]
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