Management of COVID-19 infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is estimated to have infected over two-thirds of the world's population and resulted in >6.8 million deaths (as of March 2023). Although multisystem manifestations can occu...

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Published inMedicine (Abingdon. 1995, UK ed.) Vol. 51; no. 11; pp. 802 - 805
Main Authors Law, Huiyi Esther, Fraser, Emily
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2023
Subjects
Antivirals
COVID-19
immunomodulatory agents
Internal Medicine
long covid
non-invasive respiratory support
post-COVID-19 condition
prone positioning
thromboembolism
COVID-19
thromboembolism
post-COVID-19 condition
Antivirals
prone positioning
non-invasive respiratory support
immunomodulatory agents
long covid
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Summary:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is estimated to have infected over two-thirds of the world's population and resulted in >6.8 million deaths (as of March 2023). Although multisystem manifestations can occur, COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory pathogen, and pneumonia is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Management remains largely supportive although, since the start of the pandemic, thousands of research studies, including platform trials RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP, have led to more tailored treatments that have improved clinical outcomes. Vaccination has reduced hospitalization and death rates, but vulnerable and unvaccinated groups remain at risk of severe infection. ‘Living guidelines’ are continuously updated to reflect scientific developments, and as new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerge with differing clinical manifestations and drug susceptibilities, treatment recommendations are likely to evolve in accordance. Current guidelines are largely based on research undertaken on non-vaccinated populations in the pre-Omicron variant era, so in this review we focus on the broader principles of hospital management, including the use of respiratory support, therapeutic intervention and management of common complications. Finally, we highlight some of the longer lasting consequences of the infection.
ISSN:1357-3039
DOI:10.1016/j.mpmed.2023.08.005