A review of covid-19: The main ways of transmission and some prevention solutions, clinical symptoms, more vulnerable human groups, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 is a virus that causes acute respiratory syndrome. Although it is less deadly than other members of its family, i.e. SARS and MERS, its extremely rapid transmission rate has become a widespread concern today. Airborne droplets, environmental surfaces, nasal mucosa, urine and fecal samples are among the routes for the transmission of this virus. Both temperature and humidity factors affect the viability of the virus and its mortality rate. Increasing the ambient temperature makes the virus unstable, while lowering the temperature contributes to its stability. Due to the fact that the main route for the transmission of this virus is the particles containing the virus, observing the social distance of at least one meter, using masks as well as air purification systems can reduce the risk of virus transmission to some extent. This contagious virus has made life difficult for everyone in the community, especially pregnant women, children and the elderly. This viral infection can be diagnosed in many ways, including laboratory tests, molecular tests, the chest X-ray and CT scan. It is worth noting that chest CT scan is more sensitive than other methods and is used as the first line of diagnosis. Despite numerous efforts, no definitive cure has yet been found and isolation of those involved is recognized as first-line treatment. The treatments so far can be divided into three categories general treatments, pharmacological treatments, and diet. General treatments involve isolation, mask use, oxygen therapy, room ventilation and more. Because of the rapid spread and the many challenges that this viral infection has created, scientists have used many of the drugs that were previously used to treat the influenza, malaria, AIDS, etc., some of which have been used to treat the viral infection. It should be noted that some of these drugs were very effective on some people's bodies. Some of these drugs were even used for pregnant mothers. A proper diet and the use of certain vitamins such as iron, zinc, vitamins A, B, C, E can also be effective in preventing and treating this viral infection. Many efforts to develop a vaccine against this virus infection began about two weeks after the outbreak and the attempts to reach this goal continues. © 2020, Dorma Journals. All rights reserved.