Coronavirus disease By Hetu (MSc. Medical Biochemistry)

COVID -19

INTRODUCTION

Coronaviruses constitute the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, in the family Coronaviridae, order Nidovirales and realm Riboviria. They are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry.The genome size of coronaviruses ranges from approximately 26 to 32 kilobases, one of the largest among RNA viruses. They have characteristic club-shaped spikes that project from their surface, which in electron micrographs create an image reminiscent of the solar corona, from which their name derives.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19.

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

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

NOTE: For informational purposes only. Consult your local medical authority for advice.

The Molecular Biology of Coronaviruses:-

Precautions

To prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Maintain a safe distance from others (at least 1 metre), even if they don’t appear to be sick.

Wear a mask in public, especially indoors or when physical distancing is not possible.

Choose open, well-ventilated spaces over closed ones. Open a window if indoors.

Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.

Get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Follow local guidance about vaccination.

Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Stay home if you feel unwell. 

COVID-19 vaccines

Equitable access to safe and effective vaccines is critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is hugely encouraging to see so many vaccines proving and going into development. WHO is working tirelessly with partners to develop, manufacture and deploy safe and effective vaccines. 

Safe and effective vaccines are a game-changing tool: but for the foreseeable future we must continue wearing masks, cleaning our hands, ensuring good ventilation indoors, physically distancing and avoiding crowds. 

Being vaccinated does not mean that we can throw caution to the wind and put ourselves and others at risk, particularly because research is still ongoing into how much vaccines protect not only against disease but also against infection and transmission.

World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Qualified COVID-19 Vaccines** 

Manufacturer	Name of Vaccine	Type of vaccine 1	WHO EUA qualified	Approved schedule 2, 3	Second dose options for completion of series in BC 4
Pfizer-BioNTech	BNT162b2 / COMIRNATY / Tozinameran (INN)	mRNA	ü	Two doses, 21-28 days apart	-          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
Moderna	mRNA-1273	mRNA	ü	Two doses, 28 days apart	-          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
AstraZeneca	AZD1222 Vaxzevria	Adenovirus (CHAdOx1) vector	ü	Two doses, 4-12 weeks apart	-          AstraZeneca -          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
Serum Institute of India	COVISHIELD	Adenovirus (CHAdOx1) vector	ü	Two doses, 4-12 weeks apart	-          AstraZeneca -          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)	Ad26.COV2.5	Adenovirus type 26 vector	ü	One dose	N/A – one dose series
SinoPharm / Beijing Institute of Biological Products (BIBP)	Covilo / BBIBP-CorV	Whole inactivated Coronavirus	ü	Two doses, 21-28 days apart	-          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
Sinovac	CoronaVac	Whole inactivated Coronavirus	ü	Two doses, 14-28 days apart	-          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
Bharat Biotech, India	COVAXIN	Whole inactivated Coronavirus	ü	Two doses, 28 days apart	-          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
Novavax	NVX-CoV2373 / Nuvaxovid	Protein subunit	ü	Two doses, 21-28 days apart	-          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
Serum Institute of India	NVX-CoV2373 / Covovax	Protein subunit	ü	Two doses, 21-28 days apart	-          Moderna -          Pfizer-BioNTech
The Gamaleya National Center	Sputnik V	Human adenovirus vector	pending
SinoPharm / Wuhan Institute of Biological Products (WIBP)	Inactivated SARS- CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell)	Whole inactivated Coronavirus	pending
CanSinoBio	Ad5-nCoV	Adenovirus Type 5 vector	pending
CureVac	CVnCoV/CV07050101 Zorecimeran (INN)	mRNA	pending

** This data taken from WHO official website.