Arawomo A O, Ajibade A I, Adeniyi B, Aigbirior J, Erhabor G E
Department of Medicine,Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife,Nigeria.
Department of Medicine,Federal Medical Centre, Owo,Nigeria.
West Afr J Med. 2020 Jul-Aug;37(3):295-316.
Emerging infectious diseases pose a great hazard to public health and the global economy. A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emerged from Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has spread globally causing a global health emergency of inconceivable magnitude, with significant morbidity and mortality. There is the need for clinicians and health care providers to understand and gain knowledge of the different aspects of the disease as it evolves.
We reviewed existing literature on COVID-19 in order to present a synopsis of current understanding of the disease.
Using PubMed, Embase and Medline, articles published between January and April 2020 on Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and resources from World Health Organisation were analyzed in order to have an understanding of the clinical characteristics, transmission dynamics, virology, diagnostic possibilities, prevention, management approach, controversies and impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare workforce.
Our review revealed that COVID-19 patients present with a myriad of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe respiratory disease, which can often be fatal. The mode of transmission via droplet infections makes it unduly contagious and difficult to control. Currently, antiviral drugs or vaccines are being developed to manage this condition.
There is urgent need for potent antivirals and vaccine to manage those infected with COVID 19 and prevent infection. Global efforts need to be unified in combating this public health emergency and flattening the curve of spread.
新发传染病对公众健康和全球经济构成巨大危害。2019年12月，一种新型冠状病毒，即严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2），在中国武汉出现，引发了2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）。自那时以来，它已在全球传播，造成了一场规模难以想象的全球卫生紧急事件，导致了大量发病和死亡。随着疾病的演变，临床医生和医疗保健提供者需要了解并掌握该疾病不同方面的知识。
我们回顾了关于COVID-19的现有文献，以便概述目前对该疾病的认识。
利用PubMed、Embase和Medline数据库，分析了2020年1月至4月期间发表的关于2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）的文章，以及世界卫生组织的相关资源，以了解COVID-19的临床特征、传播动态、病毒学、诊断方法、预防措施、管理方法、争议以及对医护人员的影响。
我们的综述显示，COVID-19患者表现出各种各样的症状，从轻度到重度呼吸道疾病，后者往往可能致命。通过飞沫感染的传播方式使其具有极强的传染性且难以控制。目前，正在研发抗病毒药物或疫苗来应对这种情况。
迫切需要有效的抗病毒药物和疫苗来治疗COVID-19感染者并预防感染。全球需要统一努力来应对这一公共卫生紧急事件并减缓传播曲线。
