Novel corona virus infection: a dermatologist’s perspective

Abstract

Novel corona virus infection or COVID-19 saw its dawn in first fortnight of Decemberin the city of Wuhan, China, since then it is unstoppable and has spread like a wild-fire, involving most parts of the world. The causative virus is named as SARS-CoV-2. Although the reproductive number (R0) of two to three has been suggested, it is still unknown. The symptoms of COVID-19 infection have a broad spectrum of severity, which ranges from asymptomatic to mildly symptomatic to severe illness that require mechanical ventilation. The virus seldom causes any viral exanthem, but dermatologists should have good working knowledge about COVID-19 and its manifestations, which would help to explore the unexplored cutaneous manifestation of the disease in near future. Due to limited availability of testing kits, RT-PCR test is done only in patients who have a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 based on symptoms, exposures and chest imaging. Basic public health measures like frequent efficient handwashing, social distancing, staying home, respiratory etiquette like covering nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing are to be followed to prevent the spread of disease. It is now time for our specialty to get involved actively and share the burden of COVID-19. Though not directly connected in dealing with COVID-19 patients, dermatologists should work together with other specialties as a multidisciplinary team. We carried out a PubMed, Medline search using the following terms “COVID-19, dermatology, rash, skin, health care” and have included all data and latest national guidelines related to COVID-19 in dermatology.

Keywords

• covid-19
• corona virus
• dermatology
• skin rash