COVID-19 The pandemic So Far

Question 1

What does endemic mean?

Answer 1

• disease is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a population.

Question 2

What does epidemic mean?

Answer 2

• rapid increase in the number f cass of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area

Question 3

what is an outbreak?

Answer 3

• same as epidemic but it is more localised geogrphically

Question 4

what is a pandemic?

Answer 4

• an epidemic that has spread over severak countries usually affecting a lerge number of people

Question 5

How is SARS-COV2 bind to spike protein?

Answer 5

• The spike protein on the molecule binds to ACE2, the envelope goes into the ACE2 molecule and so it replicates itself and once thats done, it then releases it into the system.

Question 6

How is it spread?

Answer 6

• Sneezing, coughing, Touch

Question 7

What factoes affect trasnsmission?

Answer 7

• Incubation period (1 - 14 days), Median 5-6 days, infectiousness peak is 24 hours pre symptoms
• Reproduction number 2.3 - 3.3 people

Question 8

What is the reproduction number?

Answer 8

• number of people acquiring infection from an infected person

Question 9

What happens during the pathophysiology of SARS-COV2?

Answer 9

• Virus enters, and kills the host cell, when a cell dies it relaeses chemokines and cytokines to sustain a virus from spreading. by releasing these chemicals alerts the body thta something is wrong, and the body send in white blood cells such as macrophages and T cells.
• However some people get more unwell, the virus infects the macrophages and T cells, cytokines are released and when they are released tey kimit the function of an organ. An sometimes this can get further and lead to multiple organ dysfunction.

Question 10

What are the common symptoms of COVID?

Answer 10

• Rhinorrhea, General Malaise, Sore throat, Cough, Fever, Headache

Question 11

how to diagnose COVID?

Answer 11

• Viral PCR is done and genetic material is tried to be found on the swab

Question 12

What are the most prevention measures for COVID?

Answer 12

• Hand washing, social distncing, mask wearing, Isolation, Vaccines, PPE

Question 13

What is herd immunity?

Answer 13

• If most get vaccinated, spreading is contained

Question 14

What are treatments for COVID?

Answer 14

• Anti-pyretic (paracetamols)
• Steroids (dexamethasone, 1 a day for 10 days) if you cant get oxygen into your lungs.
• Supportive therapy - fluids and oxygen therapy
• Clinical Trials

Question 15

What are the different types of oxygen therapy?

Answer 15

• Mild - Nasal cannula
• Moderate - simple face mask
• Severe - reservoir mask
• Very severe - Nasal high flow oxygen and CPAP

Question 16

What are the benefits and weaknesses of nasal cannula?

Answer 16

• Widely available but causes dryness of upper airway

Question 17

What are the benefits and weaknesses of simple face mask?

Answer 17

• Widely available, easy to use but prevents eating, drinking, talking, can cause dryness of upper airways.