COVID-19 from the perspective of an immunologist
Authors:
Zuzana Střížová; Tomáš Milota; Jiřina Bartůňková
Authors‘ workplace:
Ústav imunologie 2. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha
Published in:
Čas. Lék. čes. 2020; 159: 67-71
Category:
Review Article
Overview
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 has a number of similarities to SARS and MERS diseases. Its highly contagious nature is particularly due to the rapid spread of the disease through asymptomatic individuals; however, the world’s most contagious infectious disease is still considered measles. Scientific data have revealed the interactions between COVID-19 and the immune system. These findings may contribute to the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Just as coronavirus itself the reports about the disease have massively spread through media and public contributing to overall public fear and stress. This promotion of non-scientific evidence and misinformation through social media might have also a devastating impact on the individual’s immune system. Data regarding the mortality rates of COVID-19 have achieved unprecedented media and public engagements, however, the true facts about the disease prevention, immunomodulation and novel treatments are often left unsaid. We present the most recent facts about COVID-19 disease and its interactions with the immune system.
Keywords:
future – vaccination – risk factors – prevention – influenza – SARS – COVID-19 – statistics – lethality – clinical features – immunomodulation
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Labels
Addictology Allergology and clinical immunology Angiology Audiology Clinical biochemistry Dermatology & STDs Paediatric gastroenterology Paediatric surgery Paediatric cardiology Paediatric neurology Paediatric ENT Paediatric psychiatry Paediatric rheumatology Diabetology Pharmacy Vascular surgery Pain management Dental HygienistArticle was published in
Journal of Czech Physicians
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