COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus emerged in late 2019 and escalated into a global pandemic by 2020. It primarily spreads through airborne respiratory droplets when people are in close contact. While many individuals experience no symptoms or mild illness, older adults and those with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe outcomes, including hospitalization or death.
Symptoms:
Symptoms typically appear 2 to 14 days after exposure and may include:
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Pain, such as headaches or muscle aches
- Cold-like symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, or sore throat
COVID-19 severity can range from mild to critical:
- Mild: No significant impact on lung function.
- Moderate: Lung function remains intact, but signs of deeper lung infection are present.
- Severe: Impaired lung function requiring oxygen and hospital care.
- Critical: Respiratory failure and widespread bodily damage.
Risk Factors:
Key risk factors include
- Living with someone infected with COVID-19.
- Being in poorly ventilated, crowded areas during outbreaks.
- Prolonged close contact (over 30 minutes) with an infected person.
Complications of Severe COVID-19:
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (oxygen deprivation to organs).
- Infection- or heart-related shock.
- Overactive immune response (inflammatory response).
- Blood clots.
- Kidney damage.
Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (Long COVID):
Some individuals experience persistent or new symptoms months after recovery, often referred to as long COVID, post-COVID conditions, or PASC (post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection).
