COVID

Question 1

What kind of pathogen is covid?

Answer 1

Virus

Question 2

What virus causes covid?

Answer 2

SARS-COV-2

Question 3

What is the epidemiology/distribution of SARS-COV-2?

Answer 3

-Virus is enveloped
-Has a positive sense single stranded RNA: which means it can directly enter host cells and be translated
-Very large genome

Question 4

How does SARS-COV-2 infect the host (pathogenesis)?

Answer 4

-Will be spread in respiratory droplets
-Binds to ACE2 and can causes negative effects (nothing to offset ACE effects)
*Incubation within the host is typically 3-14 days/on average 5 days

Question 5

How does a SARS-COV-2 infection present?

Answer 5

Fever, pharyngitis, cough, headache, congestion, muscle aches (myalgia), arthralgia, nausea, diarrhea, dyspnea (difficulty breathing)

Severe infection: multisystem inflammatory response

Question 6

How can you diagnose SARS-COV-2 with tests?

Answer 6

Rapid: quick, can show more current infection antigens (IgM)

PCR: slower, can show current or past infection antigens (IgG can be detected for longer periods of time on PCR, can test positive if you’ve had a vaccine or past infection)

Question 7

How can you treat SARS-COV-2 infections?

Answer 7

-Dexamethasone (steroid)
-Remdesivir (antiviral)
-Immunoglobulins available (transfusion can provide pt. with antibodies to fight virus)

-Vaccines are available! mostly mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna)