Coronavirus: Difference between revisions
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*[[Upper respiratory infection]] | *[[Upper respiratory infection]] | ||
*[[Fever]] | *[[Fever]] | ||
*[[COVID-19]] | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 11:24, 21 March 2020
Background
- Enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses with nucleocapsid
- Very common cause of upper respiratory infection, especially during fall and winter, and some diarrhea in pediatric patients
Clinical Features
- Incubation period: 2-4 days
- Upper respiratory symptoms
- Rhinorrhea, cough, sore throat, earache, fever, malaise
- Respiratory symptoms may be more severe in elderly/immunocompromised (e.g. pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia)
- GI symptoms - vomiting, diarrhea, Necrotizing enterocolitis (in neonates)
Differential Diagnosis
- Rhinovirus: most common cold virus. Causes around 40% colds.
- as opposed to Coronavirus, this causes cold in other seasons besides winter.
- Rhinovirus is NOT encapsulated as opposed to Coronavirus.
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- influenza
- parainfluenza
Evaluation
- Generally no testing indicated
- If needed, nasal swabs can be sent for PCR and immunofluorescent antigen assay
Management
- There is no specific treatment for Coronavirus, since most infections spontaneously resolve.
- Supportive care, no specific treatment
- Rest, hydration, analgesia, antipyretics
- Hand hygiene to prevent spread
Disposition
Prevention
- No vaccines have been made thus far to prevent Coronavirus.
- Measures to reduce risk of transmission: fully wash hands, do not touch face without washing hands, avoid close contact with sick contacts.