Doctor's Notes on Coronavirus (COVID-19 [2019-nCoV], SARS, MERS)
Coronavirus (COVID-19, 2019-nCoV) is an RNA coronavirus found in late 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan. It causes moderate to severe respiratory problems in humans. It is contagious and spreads from person to person. Signs and symptoms vary in intensity; other viruses and types are similar. Infected people initially may have flu-like symptoms that can rapidly progress in severity. The primary signs and symptoms of moderate to severe infections are as follows:
- Fevers
- Severe coughing
- Difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath
- Occasional diarrhea
- Some patients develop pneumonia and/or organ failure (for example, kidney failure and death).
- Some patients have long-term problems with some symptoms.
Wuhan coronavirus is related to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome).
Infection with coronavirus (COVID-19) may cause severe viral pneumonia. Unfortunately, many people who become infected require hospitalization for supportive care. There is no specific drug or vaccine against this virus. Some patients require hospital-based respiratory supportive care. This hospital-based care can rapidly run out if the outbreak is not slowed or stopped. In the Wuhan outbreak, China and many other countries are using quarantine measures to help slow or stop the spread of 2019-nCoV and its subtypes delta and omicron. We are in the second year of a serious pandemic. Over 800,000 people in the U.S. have died as of December 2021.
What Are the Treatments for Coronavirus Infection?
The best treatments are prevention of infection and/or reduction of severity of symptoms to prevent hospitalization by appropriate vaccinations and booster shots, if indicated. Wearing masks, especially indoors where people may gather and avoiding contact (6 foot apart rule), may reduce the risk for infection. Also, guidelines for treatments and vaccines are rapidly changing; for up-to-date information, see https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/about-the-guidelines/whats-new/. However, treatment options include the following but are subject to revision or addition at any time:
- Convalescent plasma therapy
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Oxygen and possibly ventilation assistance
- Corticosteroids
- Antivirals (in development; an oral pill is pending approval)
- Clinical trials (in progress)
Your doctors will design supportive care as needed by your condition.
Coronavirus COVID-19 Prevention: Test Your Medical IQ Quiz

What is COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus)?
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Chronic and Acute Coughs
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention Tips
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes COVID-19. Reduce your risk of infection with the following tips: wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol; avoid touching your face if your hands aren't washed; practice social distancing (maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet). -
Fever in Adults
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin. -
Fever in Children
What are causes, symptoms, and treatment (acetaminophen) of fever in children? Learn when to worry, when a high fever is an emergency, and how to take a rectal temperature. -
Influenza (Flu) in Adults
Flu (influenza) is an acute infection of the nose and throat airways. This infection may spread to the lungs. Flu is the most frequent cause of acute respiratory infection in people of all ages. Symptoms of the flu include fever, severe aches and pains, headache, dry cough, sore throat, and at times vomiting and nausea. Treatment for the flu includes home remedies such as OTC pain relievers, rest, and hydration. Medical treatment for the flu includes antiviral medications. -
Viral Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection or inflammation of the lungs. It can be in just one part of the lungs, or it can involve many parts. Symptoms of viral pneumonia include low-grade fever, coughing up mucus, tiredness, and muscle aches. A percentage of people who contract the deadly COVID-19 develop severe lung symptoms that may include viral pneumonia. The best treatment for viral pneumonia of any cause is to rest and keep the patient hydrated.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.