Coronavirus

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
• MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV types of Coronavirus cause the most severe infections.

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

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.

See Also

• Upper respiratory infection
• Fever

External Links

• http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus