COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 is a pandemic with a rapidly increasing incidence of infections and deaths.

Most people infected with the virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.

Most common symptoms: fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell.

Less common symptoms: sore throat, headache, aches and pains, Diarrhea, a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes, red or irritated eyes.

Serious symptoms: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, loss of speech or mobility, or confusion, chest pain.

There are many pharmacologic therapies that are being used or considered for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a need for frequently updated practice guidelines on their use, based on critical evaluation of rapidly emerging literature.​​

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