What do we know about SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease?

Abstract

Introduction Emerging viral diseases are a serious public health problem, especially with such a dynamically changing epidemic situation, in which we are observers and participants. Coronaviruses are present in our lives almost constantly. Currently, the world is struggling with a pandemic caused by the new SARS CoV-2 coronavirus, which is the etiological factor of COVID-19 disease. Objective The aim of the study is to review scientific reports and systematize current knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease it causes in the face of the ongoing pandemic. State of knowledge The course of SARS-CoV-2 infection is similar to cases caused by coronaviruses of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV). Symptoms vary from mild to viral pneumonia, including fever, difficulty breathing, bilateral infiltrative pneumonia, and multi-organ failure in the most severe cases. COVID-19 disease also leads to complications, such as pulmonary fibrosis, neurological disorders, an increased risk of heart attack, thrombosis, and liver dysfunction. The review presents information about the taxonomy, structure, pathomechanism, clinical symptoms, complications, number of cases, diagnostics, and treatment of COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Conclusions The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread quickly around the world, causing a rapidly increasing number of infections and deaths among patients. There is currently no effective vaccine or targeted treatment. The only way to prevent the spread of the virus remains quarantine, the isolation of sick people, and the use of a sanitary regime.

Keywords

• coronavirus
• sars-cov-2
• 2019-ncov
• covid-19
• pandemic
• pneumonia