scholarly journals COVID 19: A Strange Worldwide Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 719-729
Author(s):  
Dr. Sneha Lodhi

Corona virus disease (COVID -19)   is a severe acute respiratory syndrome which cause respiratory tract illness. The pandemic caused by virus originated in Wuhan. Later declared as a pandemic by WHO. It causes symptom like common cold, fever, body ache, cough and loss of taste sensation which are commonly seen in most of the patient. Older and one with comorbidity are at high risk to get infected. The average time period from exposure to symptoms is 5 days. Many asymptotic cases where reported which shows no symptoms but show viral load on RT-PCR. Patients are considered covid-19 positive based on clinical features & radiological findings. On chest x-ray  it shows ground-glass opacity. More than 75 percent of patients hospitalized require supplemental oxygen. Treatment for individual with COVID -19 include best practice for supportive management of acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Immediate hospitalization of positive patient if spo2 drops below 95 percent . Diagnosis is made by detection of SARS cov-2 via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing, although false positive result may occur in up to 20 to 60 % patients. Suspected cases are quarantine for 14 days. Preventive measures include hand washing, social distancing etc. Recently COVISHEILD & COVAXIN is approved for emergency use. Reaction of vaccination include fever ,body ache, swelling at local site, pain, malaise, joint pains. 

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-75
Author(s):  
Farhana Noman ◽  
Jamil Ahmed ◽  
Md Abdul Wahab ◽  
Ferdousi Hasnat ◽  
Rifat Taher Anne

Introduction: The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease. Infection by COVID-19 in children is not so common but gradually the numbers of children affected with COVID-19 are increasing day by day. The epidemiological importance and clinical pattern in children with COVID-19 is now a challenge to be described by the clinicians. Objectives: To describe socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 infected children. Material and Methods: This cross sectional observational study was conducted among 58 COVID-19 children who were admitted in COVID-19 dedicated Kurmitola General Hospital (KGH), Dhaka from March 2020 to July 2020. Their signs, symptoms, sex, age distribution, laboratory results and familial contact were analyzed. Results: Among 58 most of the children (63.8%) were in school going age (5-15years). The number of female (39) was more than male (19) and female-male ratio was 1:0.48. Most of the children (75.9%) came from urban lower middle socioeconomic group. About 84.4% children were affected from family member. Among all, (8.6%) patients had no symptoms. Main symptoms of the children were cough (36.2%), only fever (22.4%), fever with cough (8.62%) and diarrhoea (5.2%). About 12.06% of the children had additional symptoms including sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue, headache, body ache, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsion and rash, 6.9% had respiratory distress and one child came with convulsion. About 12.1% patients showed lymphopenia, 18.9% showed leucopenia, 13.8% patient had neutrophillia. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and serum ferritin were high in only 12.1% and 8.6% cases respectively. There were 29.3% patients who had normal Chest X-Ray and 58.6% had mild lesion, 8.6% had bilateral consolidation and 3.4% had patchy opacities. Conclusions: COVID-19 is not so common in children and usually presents with mild form or no sign symptoms clinically and by laboratory analysis. But it is noteworthy that they may play role in transmission of disease. JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 16, No 2 (December) 2020: 72-75


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Amee A. Amin ◽  
Erica Haught ◽  
Youmna Mousattat

A 17-year-old previously healthy male was admitted to the hospital for intractable and persistent vomiting, fever, cough, abdominal pain, and intermittent diarrhea and dehydration. He presented with severe chest pain and O2 desaturations up to 80% on room air. An infectious (including a nasopharyngeal swab), GI, and cardiac workup was completed and was negative except for elevated inflammatory markers with a C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 261 mg/L, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 53 mm/hr, and a D-dimer level of 0.93 mcg/ml. Chest X-ray showed diffuse multifocal infiltrates. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and azithromycin initially for a suspected pneumonia. He was also started on 4L of nasal cannula O2 supplementation. Due to persistent hypoxic respiratory failure, worsening respiratory distress clinically, with tachypnea and retractions, and lab findings of elevated D-dimer, a chest CT was performed to rule out a pulmonary embolism (PE). Computed tomography (CT) findings were negative for PE but notable for diffuse airspace opacities, primarily within the lower lobes, with a ground-glass appearance concerning for ARDS. Upon further investigation of the social history, the patient admitted to vaping nicotine products for the past 4 years and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products within the last several months. He was immediately started on prednisone 30 mg BID for a diagnosis of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and started showing clinical improvement. The patient was able to be weaned off of supplemental oxygen to room air, and clinical symptoms of respiratory distress began to improve over the next 24 hours.


Author(s):  
Akın Çinkooğlu ◽  
Selen Bayraktaroğlu ◽  
Naim Ceylan ◽  
Recep Savaş

Abstract Background There is no consensus on the imaging modality to be used in the diagnosis and management of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to make a comparison between computed tomography (CT) and chest X-ray (CXR) through a scoring system that can be beneficial to the clinicians in making the triage of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia at their initial presentation to the hospital. Results Patients with a negative CXR (30.1%) had significantly lower computed tomography score (CTS) (p < 0.001). Among the lung zones where the only infiltration pattern was ground glass opacity (GGO) on CT images, the ratio of abnormality seen on CXRs was 21.6%. The cut-off value of X-ray score (XRS) to distinguish the patients who needed intensive care at follow-up (n = 12) was 6 (AUC = 0.933, 95% CI = 0.886–0.979, 100% sensitivity, 81% specificity). Conclusions Computed tomography is more effective in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia at the initial presentation due to the ease detection of GGOs. However, a baseline CXR taken after admission to the hospital can be valuable in predicting patients to be monitored in the intensive care units.


Author(s):  
Chang Park ◽  
Kapil Sugand ◽  
Arash Aframian ◽  
Catrin Morgan ◽  
Nadia Pakroo ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 has been recognized as the unprecedented global health crisis in modern times. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on treatment of neck of femur fractures (NOFF) against the current guidelines and meeting best practice key performance indicators (KPIs) according to the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) in two large central London hospitals. Materials and methods A multi-center, longitudinal, retrospective, observational study of NOFF patients was performed for the first ‘golden’ month following the lockdown measures introduced in mid-March 2020. This was compared to the same time period in 2019. Results A total of 78 cases were observed. NOFFs accounted for 11% more of all acute referrals during the COVID era. There were fewer overall breaches in KPIs in time to theatre in 2020 and also for those awaiting an orthogeriatric review. Time to discharge from the trust during the pandemic was improved by 54% (p < 0.00001) but patients were 51% less likely to return to their usual residence (p = 0.007). The odds ratio was significantly higher for consultant surgeon-led operations and consultant orthogeriatric-led review in the post-COVID era. There was no significant difference in using aerosol-generating anaesthetic procedures or immortality rates between both years. Conclusion The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has not adversely affected the KPIs for the treatment of NOFF patients with significant improvement in numerous care domains. These findings may represent the efforts to ensure that these vulnerable patients are treated promptly to minimize their risks from the coronavirus.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Cattermole ◽  
Jaime Johnson ◽  
Diane Jackson

Purpose – This paper seeks to address the role and impact of employee engagement within an organization that has undergone major change. It looks at the issues of how to monitor and increase levels of staff engagement over time to deliver business results. Design/methodology/approach – It draws on six-monthly employee engagement surveys and a case study to illustrate how HR can drive and monitor change through employee engagement. Findings – This paper follows a company through economic uncertainty to major organizational change and examines how the role of engagement and monitoring can drive business success. Research limitations/implications – The case study only looks at the issues over an 18 month time period. Originality/value – This paper illustrates how an HR department can build employee engagement to drive the business forward. The case study offers best practice material for HR managers.


Author(s):  
YOJANA Gokhale ◽  
Rakshita Mehta ◽  
Uday Kulkarni ◽  
Nitin Karnik ◽  
Sushant Gokhale B.Tech ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cytokine storm triggered by Severe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality. With high ‘Interlukin -6’ (IL-6) levels reported in COVID-19 deaths in China1, IL-6 is considered to be the key player in COVID-19 cytokine storm. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptor, is used on compassionate grounds for treatment of COVID-19 cytokine storm. Aim of this study was to assess effect of tocilizumab on mortality due to COVID-19 cytokine storm.Method: This retrospective, observational study included patients of severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia (defined as saturation 94% or less on supplemental Oxygen of 15 L per minute through non-rebreathing mask or PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200) who were admitted to tertiary care center in Mumbai, India, between 31st March to 5th July 2020. In addition to standard care, single Inj. Tocilizumab 400mg was given intravenously to 151 consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia from 13th May to 5th July 2020. These 151 patients were retrospectively analysed and compared with historic controls i.e consecutive COVID-19 patients with persistent hypoxia, defined as above (N=118, from our first COVID-19 admission on 31st March to 12th May 2020 ie till tocilizumab was available in hospital). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed for identifying predictors of survival. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26.Results: On multivariate Cox regression analysis, independent predictors of survival were use of tocilizumab (HR 0.621, 95% CI 0.427-0.903, P 0.013) and higher oxygen saturation.Conclusion: Tocilizumab improved survival in severe COVID-19 pneumonia with persistent hypoxia


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-77
Author(s):  
Shyam Kumar BK ◽  
Sumit Pandey ◽  
Nabin Poudel ◽  
Sandesh Pandit ◽  
Alok Kumar Sah ◽  
...  

Introduction: At the end of 2019 a novel virus, named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), expanded globally from China. A new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of this outbreak of viral pneumonia that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aims: The aim of this study is to find out the chest radiological features of corona virus disease patients and correlate them with clinical outcome. Methods: This is a Hospital based study involving patients with clinical-epidemiological aspect of all reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) corona virus disease (COVID-19) positive patients, who performed Chest X-Rays at the emergency department of Nepalgunj Medical College, Teaching Hospital from March to June, 2020. All patients performed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal and throat swab, Chest X-Ray at the Emergency Department and clinical-epidemiological data. Results: Patients with a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction positive results for corona virus disease infection were 32 out of these, 22 were females (68.75%) and 10 males (31.25%), with a mean age of 40.78 years (range 20–74 years). Only 2 Chest X-Rays were negative for radiological thoracic involvement (6.25%).  The following alterations were more commonly observed among 30 patients: 18 patients with lung consolidations (56.25%), 19 (59.37%) with Ground Glass Opacities, 7 (21.87%) with nodules and 21 (65.6%) with reticular–nodular opacities. Patients with consolidations and Ground Glass Opacities coexisting in the same radiography were 34.37% of total. In reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction positive patients, we found also signs nonspecific for corona virus disease pneumonia as hilar or vascular congestion (37.5%), cardiomegaly (28.12%), pleural effusion (15.6%) and pneumothorax (3.12%). Peripheral (56.25%) and lower zone distribution (56.25%) were the most common predominance. Bilateral involvement (68.75%) was most frequent than unilateral one. Given the results, baseline Chest X-Rays sensitivity in our experience is about 65.62%. Conclusion: In this study, COVID-19 CXRs generally manifested a spectrum of pure ground glass, mixed ground glass opacities to consolidation in bilateral peripheral middle and lower lung zones. BSTI CXR reporting classification of COVID-19 is valid and sensitive in our patients with addition of middle zonal involvement in classical COVID-19 criteria as opposed to just lower zone involvement.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhaan S. Vahidy ◽  
Alan P. Pan ◽  
Hilda Ahnstedt ◽  
Yashasvee Munshi ◽  
Huimahn A. Choi ◽  
...  

Introduction Sex is increasingly recognized as an important factor in the epidemiology and outcome of many diseases. This also appears to hold for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Evidence from China and Europe has suggested that mortality from COVID-19 infection is higher in men than women, but evidence from US populations is lacking. Utilizing data from a large healthcare provider, we determined if males, as compared to females have a higher likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility, and if among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, male sex is independently associated with COVID-19 severity and poor in-hospital outcomes. Methods and findings Using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from a COVID-19 Surveillance and Outcomes Registry (CURATOR). Data were extracted from Electronic Medical Records (EMR). A total of 96,473 individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal swab specimens via Polymerized Chain Reaction (PCR) tests were included. For hospital-based analyses, all patients admitted during the same time-period were included. Of the 96,473 patients tested, 14,992 (15.6%) tested positive, of whom 4,785 (31.9%) were hospitalized and 452 (9.5%) died. Among all patients tested, men were significantly older. The overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity among all tested individuals was 15.5%, and was higher in males as compared to females 17.0% vs. 14.6% [OR 1.20]. This sex difference held after adjusting for age, race, ethnicity, marital status, insurance type, median income, BMI, smoking and 17 comorbidities included in Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) [aOR 1.39]. A higher proportion of males (vs. females) experienced pulmonary (ARDS, hypoxic respiratory failure) and extra-pulmonary (acute renal injury) complications during their hospital course. After adjustment, length of stay (LOS), need for mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in males as compared to females. Conclusions In this analysis of a large US cohort, males were more likely to test positive for COVID-19. In hospitalized patients, males were more likely to have complications, require ICU admission and mechanical ventilation, and had higher mortality than females, independent of age. Sex disparities in COVID-19 vulnerability are present, and emphasize the importance of examining sex-disaggregated data to improve our understanding of the biological processes involved to potentially tailor treatment and risk stratify patients.


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