Coronaviruses
Nader Moaven, MD
Chair, Internal Medicine & Infectious Disease
RMG/Empire Medical
The crown-like spikes seen on the electronic microscope pictures gave the name coronaviruses to this important family of viruses. Human Coronaviruses were first identified in the 1960s.
Certain Coronaviruses infect animals. These viruses can then evolve and become significant human pathogens. The best examples of these evolving animal-to-human viruses are the SARS-COV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome identified in 2003), the MERS-COV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome identified in 2012) and finally the SARS-COV-2 (Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19), which has caused the current catastrophic pandemic.
People who have been exposed to COVID-19 may show symptoms 2-14 days after exposure. Some of these symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle or body ache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and cough. More serious symptoms of COVID-19 disease include shortness of breath and difficulty breathing which may signify pneumonia and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
COVID-19 spreads from person to person. The main mechanism for the spread of the virus is through droplets and aerosolized transmission between people who are in close contact with each other (within about six feet). When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets with the virus fly into the air. Anyone within six feet of that person may become infected by breathing those droplets into their lungs. Research shows that the virus can live in the air up to three hours. Breathing the air with the virus floating in it can infect other people. Surface transmission (countertops, doorknobs, plastic or stainless steel surfaces) may also happen up to 2-3 days after an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches the aforementioned surfaces.
People may become ill by touching these contaminated surfaces and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. Some studies also indicate that the COVID-19 virus can be found in the fecal material of infected persons. Therefore, if infected persons do not wash their hands correctly after using the bathroom, they could potentially transmit the virus by touching and contaminating surfaces and other people. A lot of people become infected via community spread, which happens when an infected person cannot identify a known contact with a sick person.
The best way to prevent illness with COVID-19 is to avoid exposure to the virus. Hand washing frequently and thoroughly (20 seconds) is the centerpiece of prevention. Cleaning hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol could be used in lieu of hand washing. Also, potential contaminated surfaces need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Avoiding close contact with sick people and social distancing (at least six feet) is an important measure of prevention. Covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and wearing a mask (appropriate cloth covering or surgical mask) when in public or around others is another important step in the prevention of COVID-19.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive treatment for COVID-19 yet. There are many investigational drugs, some of which were approved for treatment by the United States Food and Drug Administration for specific populations of COVID-19 patients (mostly severe to critical patients). Many pharmaceutical companies are also working on developing an effective vaccine, some of which are in the final stages of development and may become available before the end of 2020. Until then and beyond, the best strategy is to prevent exposure to the virus.
References: CDC, WHO, Web Med
