User:Mr. Ibrahem/COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Symptoms often include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, tiredness, headache, loss of smell and taste, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. Onset is usually two to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. Some people; however, develop no symptoms.

Spread occurs mainly when an infected person is in close contact with another person. This may occur by either airborne transmission or small droplets containing the virus. Less commonly, the virus may spread via contaminated surfaces. People can transmit the virus two days before they show symptoms, and generally remain infectious for up to 10 days, though those with severe disease maybe infectious longer. Diagnosis is generally by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen test from a nose or throat swab.

Preventive measures include physical distancing, use of a high quality face mask, ventilation of indoor spaces, and quarantine. Several vaccines also decrease the risk. Much of treatment is symptomatic and supportive. In those who do not require hospitalization, but are at high risk, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, sotrovimab, or molnupiravir may be used. For those who require oxygen therapy, dexamethasone and remdesivir may be used. For those who required critical care tocilizumab or sarilumab may be added.

Of those people who develop symptoms, around 80% recover without needing hospitalization, 15% require oxygen therapy, and 5% require intensive care. Older people and those with other health problems are at a higher risk. While most get better after a few weeks, some continue to experience a range of effects (long COVID) for months. As of, at least cases have been confirmed, which has resulted in more than  deaths. The actual number of deaths was; however, estimated at nearly 20 million as of December 31st 2021. The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease has since spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic.