COVID-19
General Information

General Information

Background

SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus related to SARS and MERS, is the virus that causes COVID-19. (COVID-19 = Coronavirus Disease 2019)

Incubation period is primarily 4 to 5 days, but can range from 2-14 days.

Clinical Features

  • Cough

  • Fever (either subjective or objective)

  • Myalgia

  • Headache

  • Dyspnea/shortness of breath

  • Sore throat

  • Diarrhea

  • Nausea/vomiting

  • Loss of smell or taste

  • Runny nose

  • Fatigue

  • Acrocyanosis in children

Severe illness can occur in any patient; however, the following patients are at higher risk:

  • Advanced age (60 or older)

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Obesity

  • Diabetes

  • Hypertension

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Smoking

  • Cancer (primarily hematologic malignancies, metastatic disease, or lung cancer)

  • Chronic lung disease

  • Other immunocompromising conditions (e.g. cirrhosis, sickle cell disease, etc.)

Syndrome Definitions

Progression to severe/critical illness (see below) generally occurs later in the disease course at a median of 8 days after symptom onset.

  • Varying rates have been described; true extent unknown at this time
  • Pneumonia may or may not be present (no signs of severe pneumonia)

  • No need for supplementary oxygen and most patients can be managed at home

Fever or respiratory infection plus one of the following:

  • RR > 30 breaths/min

  • Severe respiratory distress

  • SpO2 ≤ 93% on room air

  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

  • Sepsis

  • Septic Shock