Coronavirus: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
*Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses | *Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses that were first discovered in the 1960s and named after the crown-like spikes on their surface seen on electron microscopy. | ||
*Commonly cause up to one-third of upper respiratory tract infections in adults and children | *They have a nucleocapsid around them and are the largest RNA virus. | ||
**Also thought to cause diarrhea in infants and | *Four main subtypes of Coronavirus: alpha, beta, gamma, delta. | ||
*Coronavirus is very common and most people will get infected atleast once in their lifetime, esp children but route of infection is controversial. Most common time of infection is fall or winter. | |||
*The cause of Coronavirus is hard to assess since it cannot be grown in laboratories, the way Rhinovirus can be grown (another common cold virus). | |||
*Commonly cause up to one-third of upper respiratory tract infections in adults and children. | |||
**Also thought to cause diarrhea in infants, children, and farm animals. | |||
*MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV types of Coronavirus cause the most severe infections. | |||
**SARS began in 2002 in Asia. | |||
==Method of Replication== | |||
*Coronavirus enters the cell cytoplasm and viral particle is uncoated causing RNA genome to deposit into cytoplasm. | |||
*RNA viral genome is transcribed into new RNA copies via replicase protein. | |||
==Clinical Features== | ==Clinical Features== | ||
*Pulmonary - coughing, dyspnea/wheezing, respiratory failure (seen in elderly/immunocompromised) | *Coronavirus usually presents like the common cold with an upper respiratory tract infection: runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat. | ||
*Pulmonary - coughing, dyspnea/wheezing, respiratory failure (seen in elderly/immunocompromised), pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia. | |||
*GI - vomiting, diarrhea, [[Necrotizing enterocolitis]] (in neonates) | *GI - vomiting, diarrhea, [[Necrotizing enterocolitis]] (in neonates) | ||
*HEENT - otalgia, coryza, rhinorrhea, sneezing | *HEENT - otalgia, coryza, rhinorrhea, sneezing | ||
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*Generally no evaluation indicated | *Generally no evaluation indicated | ||
*If needed, nasal swabs can be sent for PCR and immunofluorescent antigen assay | *If needed, nasal swabs can be sent for PCR and immunofluorescent antigen assay | ||
==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. | |||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
*Supportive care | *Supportive care | ||
*There is no specific treatment for Coronavirus, since most infections spontaneously resolve. | |||
*Pain and fever medications can be taken (do not give aspirin to kids). | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/ | |||
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:14, 6 September 2016
Background
- Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive-stranded RNA viruses that were first discovered in the 1960s and named after the crown-like spikes on their surface seen on electron microscopy.
- They have a nucleocapsid around them and are the largest RNA virus.
- Four main subtypes of Coronavirus: alpha, beta, gamma, delta.
- Coronavirus is very common and most people will get infected atleast once in their lifetime, esp children but route of infection is controversial. Most common time of infection is fall or winter.
- The cause of Coronavirus is hard to assess since it cannot be grown in laboratories, the way Rhinovirus can be grown (another common cold virus).
- Commonly cause up to one-third of upper respiratory tract infections in adults and children.
- Also thought to cause diarrhea in infants, children, and farm animals.
- MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV types of Coronavirus cause the most severe infections.
- SARS began in 2002 in Asia.
Method of Replication
- Coronavirus enters the cell cytoplasm and viral particle is uncoated causing RNA genome to deposit into cytoplasm.
- RNA viral genome is transcribed into new RNA copies via replicase protein.
Clinical Features
- Coronavirus usually presents like the common cold with an upper respiratory tract infection: runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat.
- Pulmonary - coughing, dyspnea/wheezing, respiratory failure (seen in elderly/immunocompromised), pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia.
- GI - vomiting, diarrhea, Necrotizing enterocolitis (in neonates)
- HEENT - otalgia, coryza, rhinorrhea, sneezing
Differential Diagnosis
- Rhinovirus
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- influenza
- parainfluenza
Evaluation
- Generally no evaluation indicated
- If needed, nasal swabs can be sent for PCR and immunofluorescent antigen assay
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.
Management
- Supportive care
- There is no specific treatment for Coronavirus, since most infections spontaneously resolve.
- Pain and fever medications can be taken (do not give aspirin to kids).
See Also
External Links
http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus