Mar 12 2020
Is COVID-19 unique?
No. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. Coronaviruses are the cause of 5 to 10 percent of community-acquired upper respiratory tract infections in adults. They account for up to 30% of such infections during “cold” epidemics.
Community-acquired coronaviruses are ubiquitous; wherever investigators have looked, they have been detected. In temperate climates, coronavirus respiratory infections occur primarily in the winter, although smaller peaks are sometimes seen in the fall or spring, and infections can occur at any time of the year. .
Are Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) unique diseases?
No. The key to understanding of MERS and SARS is in the word “SYNDROME”. SYNDROME is a group of symptoms which consistently occur together, or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms. Hence, MERS and SARS are constellation of symptoms. These are severe complications of coronavirus infection.
These are not unique syndromes even although they are tied to different coronaviruses. “Middle East” in MERS indicates that this is a complication of the viral infection initially described and identified in the Middle East. The virus became known as MERS-CoV.
SARS is a complication of the viral infection caused by another coronavirus named simply SARS.
SARS-COVID-19 is a serious complication of COVID-19 virus.
What is ARDS?
ARDS stands for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. It is a severe complication of viral and bacterial infections, as well as inflammatory conditions: acute eosinophilic pneumonia [AEP], acute interstitial pneumonitis [AIP], acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [AEIPF], cryptogenic organizing pneumonia [COP], acute fibrinous organizing pneumonia [AFOP], pulmonary vasculitis), and disseminated malignancy.
Hence, SARS and MERS are subtypes of ARDS differentiated by cause.
ARDS should be suspected in patients with progressive symptoms of dyspnea, an increasing requirement for oxygen, and alveolar infiltrates on chest imaging.
ARDS is one of the most severe complications of influenza with rapidly progressive pneumonia, respiratory failure, and multi-system organ failure. It was reported during the 2009 to 2010 H1N1 influenza A pandemic. Cases of H1N1 influenza causing critical illness have also occurred during subsequent seasons.
ARDS was described in virtually every other infection from measles to methicillin resistant staphylococcal pneumonia.
Should I wear a mask to protect myself?
No. Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19. Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.