Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID19) was the first time diagnosed in the worker of the seafood market of Wuhan, a city of China, in December 2019 and now the entire world is facing its disastrous effects. The overall mortality rate per number of diagnosed COVID19 cases is 4.7 percent. It is highly contagious and infects all age groups but elderly people with co-morbid conditions are at high risk. There is variation in presentation from asymptomatic to critical condition. It attacks the vital organs of the body with features of severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cerebral edema, myocarditis, heart failure, renal failure, diarrhea, sepsis, septic shock, and death. 

The assessment of the severity of the disease depends upon lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, raised C-reactive protein (CRP), raised serum ferritin levels, raised prolactin, deranged coagulation profile, and bilateral opacities infiltrates in the lungs. Confirmatory test for diagnosis is real-time PCR of nasal and pharyngeal swab in non-ventilatory patients. Hydroxychloroquine (previously used), remdesivir, lopinavir, ritonavir, interferon-beta, passive antibody therapy, and supportive care are available treatment options. We highlight in this review, background of the disease, important impacts on the major system of the body, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations.

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID19, Wuhan Disease, ARDS, Novel virus, Pandemic.

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Dr Adnan Bashir Bhatti, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Capital Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan

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