Jarhiz Ann S. Lompero
BSN 1-4
Microbiology and Parasitology: COVID – 19
Definition
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Coronavirus disease 2019 which is also known as
COVID-19 virus is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The word “Corona” comes from
the appearance of the virus in which the surface of the virus resembles crowns. It also belongs to the family
of Coronaviridae, a positive‐sense RNA virus that is able to cause severe respiratory diseases that has
caused an outbreak of respiratory diseases. The coronavirus is said to come from live animals such as bats.
The initial zoonotic infections are believed to have occurred in a food market that sold meat, fish, and live
animals in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Which led to spread the infection of the said Covid-19 virus
throughout the world.
Causative Agents
The COVID-19 disease is caused by a virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome- Coronavirus- 2, or
SARS-CoV-2.
SARS-CoV-2, like other RNA viruses, is susceptible to genetic evolution with the emergence of mutations
over time, resulting in mutated forms that may have distinct properties from its ancestral strains. Variants are
then developed as the virus adapts to its new human hosts.
5 SARS-CoV-2 VOCs (Variants of Concern):
Alpha (B.1.1.7) – first circulating in the UK (United Kingdom)
Beta (B.1.351) – was first detected in South Africa
Gamma (P.1) –first identified in Brazil
Delta (B.1.617.2) – initially identified in India
Omicron (B.1.1.529) – first detected in South Africa
Risk Factors
These individuals who are at high risk of being infected:
• Older individuals or ages 60 years old and older
• Young individuals or ages 12 years old and younger
• High risk individuals with comorbidities such people with diabetes, heart, and lung conditions
• Weakened immune systems or immunocompromised.
• Obese
• Pregnant women
• Race (Racial and ethical minority groups)
Risk factors for COVID-19 may also include:
• Having close contact with someone who have symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive.
• Being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person
• Staying in a poor circulated indoor room with an infected person
Mode of Transmission
COVID-19 can be transmitted directly and indirectly. It is mostly transmitted through respiratory droplets
especially through speaking, coughing, and sneezing. It can be spread via aerosols through surgical and
dental procedures. It could also be by other body fluids and secretions such as feces, saliva, urine. The
infection is also said to have the capacity to be transferred from mother-to-child during pregnancy. The
immediate surroundings of an infected patient, including any furniture or devices, as well as any instruments
used on the individual with the infection such as a stethoscope or thermometer or fomites can be a way of
spreading the infection.
Incubation Period
The first cases that have been exposed to COVID-19 virus began to exhibit symptoms after 11 days. That is
why as the virus spread, the 14-day quarantine period was extended to those who might have been exposed.
The incubation duration for successive variants became less than that of the original COVID-19 virus type.
The Alpha variant’s incubation period was 5 days, Beta variant’s was 4.50 days, Delta variant’s 4.41 days,
and Omicron variant’s was 3.42 days. Therefore, the average incubation period for all COVID-19 variants
was 6.57 days.
Signs & Symptoms
These are the common signs and symptoms in an individual that have been infected or a suspected carrier
of SARS-CoV-2.
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Fever or chills.
Cough.
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
Tiredness.
Muscle or body aches.
Headaches.
Loss of taste or smell.
Sore throat.
Congestion or runny nose.
Nausea or vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Conjunctivitis or Sore eyes
Complications
Long Covid is the term used when a person is experiencing new or persistent symptoms after the recovery
from COVID-19.
Some complications that are experienced by some patients after being infected by COVID-19 are:
• Pneumonia and difficulty in breathing
• Heart problems
• A severe lung condition such as acute respiratory distress syndrome
• “Brain Fog”
• Change in smell or taste
• Blood clots
• Acute kidney injury
• Organ failure in several organs
• Additional viral and bacterial infections
Diagnostic test
There are two types of viral test to determine whether an individual has been infected by SARS-CoV-2. The
samples to be tested are mostly collected through nasal, mid-turbinate, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal swab
samples or saliva samples.
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Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test – is a molecular test that can detect RNA or the genetic
material of the virus inside the body of an individual. It is the “gold standard” of COVID-19 test.
Antigen Test – is a rapid test which detects antigens or proteins of the virus. This test can be done
at home.
PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result than an antigen test. While in an antigen test, a
positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
Prevention
Wearing of Mask - Masks are designed to catch the droplets and foreign microorganisms when coughing,
sneezing, and inhaling. They are designed to fit properly on the face and filter out particles, especially the
COVID-19 virus.
Social Distancing - The virus can be present in the air that humans breathe in and out. It is more likely to
be exposed to COVID-19 the more people in close proximity. Staying away or maintaining a safe distance
from other people in order to prevent potential exposure. Avoiding crowded places.
Maintaining Good Hygiene - Proper hand washing and sanitizing of hands are important to prevent the
spread of virus through direct and indirect contact.
Avoid touching fomites – touching contaminated objects wherein people that have talked, coughed or
sneeze into that objects can transfer the virus from one person to another. Avoid sharing of personal items.
Staying at home - Isolating oneself from others that could have been a carrier of the virus especially during
the surge of cases.
Getting Vaccinated - The COVID-19 vaccine allows the body to develop defenses against the virus. The
chance of developing severe illness, needing hospitalization, or passing away from COVID-19 is considerably
reduced by receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and to achieve herd immunity.
Treatment / Management
Antiviral Medication such as Paxlovid, Molnupiravir and Remdesivir, these medications are often used to
shorten the longevity as well as lessen complications. As it prevents the replication of the virus inside the
body rather than killing the virus.
Covalent Plasma is a treatment given to patients that are immunocompromised. Transfusion of a COVID19-recovered patient's blood plasma that may carry SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that could assist in preventing
viral replication.
Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Therapy or Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment uses monoclonal
antibodies that are identical to those that the body normally produces in response to an infection. However,
these are created in large amounts in a laboratory that are made to detect a particular part of this virus, the
spike protein on its outer shell. It can obstruct the virus' ability to adhere and enter human cells by specifically
focusing on the spike protein. Although this treatment has a high potential for effectiveness, vaccinations are
still necessary.
Oxygenation And Ventilation Management such as Conventional Oxygen Therapy is done since in severe
COVID-19 the body's oxygen levels falls Therefore there is a need to administer medical oxygen in order to
keep the oxygen levels within the usual range.
When a patient has been experiencing mild symptoms, over the counter medicines such as paracetamol
or acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other medicines to treat and ease the symptoms they are experiencing
body aches, a sore throat, cough or colds.
There are other treatments done by physicians depending on what is appropriate for the health condition of
the patient.
Nursing Responsibilities
The nurse must be able to assess the client. Physical examination is one of the responsibilities of a nurse in
order to assess whether the client displays the common sign and symptoms of COVID – 19. It is important
to ask for the travel history and if they have any close contact with individuals that manifest COVID-19
symptoms. Nursing Diagnosis towards the possible exposure, the level of knowledge the patient has about
COVID-19, impaired breathing pattern and the anxiety of the patient towards the disease. After assessing
and diagnosing, the nurse must be able to establish plan of intervention on how to help the patient to improve
health condition such as to reduce fever to a normal temperature, restore breathing pattern, and ease anxiety
felt by the patient. Nursing interventions for COVID-19 should concentrate on ensuring normal respiratory
function or breathing, managing hyperthermia, monitoring vital signs, and decreasing transmission of disease
through educating, based on the assessment data. Lastly to evaluate whether the patient have improved
his/her breathing pattern, gain back normal temperature and vital signs, no perceive sign and symptoms and
if the patient gain knowledge on how to prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, it is a nurse’s responsibility
to be on duty to the needs of the country and to be of service during the pandemic to provide care to the
COVID-19 patients even though their lives can also be in danger as a frontliner.
PowerPoint Link:
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