Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Review on Transmission, Clinical Presentations, Treatments and Vaccines

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the most prevalent and significant global health concerns since its origin in Wuhan, China in the December 2019. As on 05th April, this disease has affected over 131 million people and has resulted in more than 2.85 million deaths worldwide till date. The disease is transmitted from the infected patients to the people in close contact through respiratory droplets. There are a number of factors which affect the transmission of this disease. The clinical presentation of COVID-19 can range from asymptomatic infections to critical disease leading to respiratory failure, septic shock and multiple organ failure. The disease essentially affects the respiratory system but other organ systems may also be involved. Currently, the therapeutic management of the disease is based on the severity of the infection and employs various strategies like monoclonal antibodies, corticosteroids, antivirals, stem cell therapy and immunomodulators. Scientists and researchers all around the world have raced against the time and developed a number of vaccines for COVID-19.  At present, there are many COVID-19 vaccines, which have been authorized or approved for use by the regulators of the different countries. This article reviews the current published data on the COVID-19 transmission, clinical presentations, treatments and vaccines.