Mini Review 
Creative Commons, CC-BY
The Importance of Early Treatment of COVID-19
*Corresponding author: Youngah Choi, Department of Internal medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Seobuk Hospital, Seoul 03433, Korea.
Received: October 21, 2021; Published: October 29, 2021
DOI: 10.34297/AJBSR.2021.14.002022
Introduction
i. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-
2) is an RNA virus genetically located within the genus
Betacoronavirus that uses a glycoprotein (spike protein) to
bind to angiotensin–converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) receptor.
ii. It is speculated that its RNA sequence and that of the bat
coronavirus are more than 80% similar. There is a strong
theory that the pangolin acted as an intermediate between
bats and humans.
Infection Route of COVID-19
i. Although it is estimated that human-to-human transmission
through droplets is the primary route of transmission, a
number of research results suggesting the possibility of
airborne transmission have recently been published.
ii. Although there are reports that SARS-CoV-2 was cultured
in secretions such as feces or urine, it is not clear whether
transmission through feces or urine can actually occur.
Infectivity of COVID -19 and IgG & IgM Detection of COVID-19
i. Summarizing the results of the studies, which have so far been
conducted, it seems that COVID-19 patients become contagious
2-3 days before the onset of symptoms. Infectivity usually lasts
5-7days after which it decreases.
ii. The COVID-19 patients showed that 100% of patients tested
positive for IgG about 17-19 days following the onset of
symptomatology.
iii. There was an increase in SARS-CoV-2 specific Ig G and Ig M
antibody titers after the three weeks following the onset of
symptomatology.
Clinical Symptoms and Clinical Processes and Complications of COVID-19 Disease
i. Asymptomatic (50%), mild-to-moderate (40%), severe (10%)
including respiratory failure.
ii. At any age, regardless of the presence or absence of preexisting
disease after infected with COVID-19, severe form
with respiratory failure could occur.
iii. Cough (50%), high fever (40%: 38°C or higher), headache
(35%), dyspnea (30%), sore throat (20%), diarrhea (20%),
nausea and vomiting (15%).
iv. Other symptoms include loss of smell, loss of taste, fatigue,
decreased appetite, hemoptysis, dizziness, runny nose, nasal
congestion, chest pain, conjunctivitis, skin changes, etc.
v. Respiratory complications: lung fibrosis due to pneumonia
and ARDS.
vi. Cardiovascular complications: elevated blood pressure, acute
myocardial injury, arrhythmia, myocarditis, heart failure,
acute coronary syndrome, atherosclerotic event and venous
thromboembolism.
vii. Acute kidney injury: Acute kidney injury due to high fever and
dehydration and poor oral intake.
viii. Gastrointestinal complications: poor oral intake, indigestion,
diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, elevated hepatobiliary function
parameters and pancreatic enzyme levels.
ix. Cytokine release syndrome: ARDS, sepsis, DIC, multiple organ
failure pattern.
x. Nervous system-related symptoms and complications:
Ischemic stroke, encephalitis, meningitis, impaired
consciousness, Ataxia, convulsions, neuralgia.
COVID -19 Disease Patterns and Severity Risk Factors in Patients with Pre-Existing Diseases
i. Elderly patients with many underlying diseases are considered
to have a high mortality rate because they cannot endure
the pulmonary symptoms and clinical manifestations itself
of COVID-19 (high fever, high blood pressure, dehydration,
breathing difficulty, thromboembolic events etc.).
ii. Patients with pre-existing diseases such as high blood pressure,
diabetes, and hyperlipidemia generally suffer of a worsening
of these diseases, which then become difficult to control and
require higher medications.
iii. In many instances, patients develop newly diagnosed disease
in the course of their COVID-19 infection, such as high
blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, which need to be
continually followed up even after the patients recover from
COVID-19.
iv. Another chronic underlying diseases that are well controlled
(solid cancers, hematologic diseases, autoimmune diseases,
etc.) do not have much influence on the conversion of COVID-19
to severe form.
v. Obesity is a risk factor for severe respiratory failure regardless
of age or underlying disease.
Clinical Courses of COVID-19 Disease
i. Each person has a different incubation period (7-10 days)
depending on the individual’s immunity, the duration of the
illness and the transition period of the corona virus test to
negative (14-21 days). The clinical features and complications
experienced by each person are different.
ii. The first stage of COVID-19, which is characterized by
upper respiratory infection and nausea and vomiting and
diarrhea possible. The second stage is characterized by the
onset of dyspnea and pneumonia. Moreover, the third stage
is characterized hyper inflammatory state that determines
local and systemic consequences causing arterial and venous
vasculopathy in the lung with thrombosis of the small vessels
and evolution towards serious lung lesion s up to ARDS and
DIC by cytokine storm. The fourth stage is characterized by
death or recovery. Mortality is associated with advanced
age, the presence of comorbidities, worsening of respiratory
failure, high level of D-dimer and C-reactive protein.
Treatment of COVID-19 Disease
i. Early treatment is important, especially within 7 days after
symptom started. Early using of monoclonal antibody and
antiviral agent is very important.
ii. Popular treatment (fluid treatment, antibiotic treatment,
antipyretic analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.) for
symptom relief and normalization of test values, control of
abnormal findings such as high fever, cough, sputum and pain
by public medications is also helpful to overcome mild to
moderate COVID-19 disease.
iii. Monoclonal Antibody ( Regdanvimab) is effective in preventing
progression to severe disease pattern when administered
within 7 days of a diagnosed pneumonia (by CT scan) for
patients under 50 years and in any case for patients older than
50 even when oxygen saturation is maintained above 95%.
iv. The antiviral drug (Veklury) has been proven effective when
administered as early as possible in case of pneumonia
(confirmation by CT scan) and an oxygen saturation level
below 94 %.
v. Corticosteroid (Dexamethasone 6mg) once a day intravenously
or orally for ten days.
Based on the research conducted so far, monoclonal antibodies
against specific cytokines and corticosteroids are useful to
counteract and prevent cytokine storm, and they are appeared to
improve clinical outcomes in patients with critical stage COVID-19.
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.