10 Things To Know

1

Coronaviruses, in general, give you something similar to a Cold. Certain strains are more aggressive and have caused outbreaks in the past, such as SARS and MERS. The current Coronavirus is known as SARS-Cov-2 or Covid19.
2

The Source of human infection is currently unclear but probably related to Bats and another intermediary host. Transmission is person to person by close contact, droplets, and contaminated surfaces. Recently a group of patients that recovered tested positive again.
3

Clinical gamut goes from asymptomatic, mild, moderate and serious disease with upper respiratory symptoms, sore throat, loss of smell and taste, diarrhea, pneumonia, immunologic and thromboembolic problems.
4

Diagnosis is done by a PCR test with a nasopharyngeal swab which may take a few hours to come back. We currently have available a rapid test which takes 5-15 minutes to come back. We have also seen a false-negative test. Serology tests are available to detect immunity.
5

Moderate to sick patients may be admitted to the hospital, and from those, a minority develop respiratory failure. This is usually related to the elderly population, hypertension, cardiac disease, smokers and emphysema, obesity, and cancer.
6

We are changing the epidemic curve by doing our part. Social distancing, remaining at home, using face masks and gloves when in public places, washing our hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based products.
7

Treatments for sick patients are available, and every day we learn more about them as clinical trials are ongoing. Medications such as Zithro, Hydroxychloroquine, Steroids, Tocilizumab, Remdesivir, HIV medications, and Tamiflu are currently being used.
8

In the USA we have had so far over 700,000 cases with total deaths above 39,000. Compare these numbers to yearly mortality for heart disease 647,457, chronic lower respiratory disease 160,201, diabetes 83,564, influenza and pneumonia 55,672
9

The coronavirus shutdown will not end quickly or all at once. We may have to come up with innovative solutions moving forward. Infrared thermometers are being adopted by industries like Walmart, Amazon, and Starbucks.
10

We will continue to see old epidemics come and go (Influenza, HIV, Hemorrhagic fevers, Ebola, Plague) and new ones appear after Covid-19. For every step we take to get rid of them, they take two steps to get rid of us.
740,746
US Cases
66,676
People Recovered
39,158
US Deaths
5
Mortality Rate

Unitl next time, stay safe.

 

Writen by Dr. Simon M. Edelstein
Infectious Disease Specialist

Doc’s Tips

Regularly wash your hands.

Try to avoid large group gatherings.

Disinfect surfaces whenever possible.

Keep away from individuals who are ill.

Wear a mask when going outdoors.

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