The Way of SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia—An Early-Pandemic Review of the Key Manifestations and Severity

TL;DR

This paper reviews the main symptoms and severity of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia during the early pandemic to improve clinical management.

Contribution

It summarizes key clinical and laboratory findings from global studies during the peak of the pandemic.

Findings

Common symptoms include fever, cough, sputum, and shortness of breath.

Severe complications include ARDS, especially in elderly and overweight individuals.

Radiological features often show bilateral ground-glass lung changes.

Abstract

The disease COVID-19, which has befallen mankind in recent years, was a challenge that we had not faced for centuries. The first registered patient case was in China. This review is performed by the inspection of a large body of worldwide investigations conducted in the peak period of the disease’s progress. The disease is spread by airborne droplets and develops mainly with fever, cough, sputum, and shortness of breath. Laboratory tests show leukopenia, lymphopenia, a decrease in the levels of sodium, potassium, and calcium, and an increase in the levels of CRP, LDH, and D-dimer. Radiological changes in most cases are bilateral and of the “ground glass” type in the lower parts of the lungs. The most severe complication of COVID-19 pneumonia is ARDS. The risk groups are people with chronic lung diseases, the elderly, and those who are overweight. This article analyzes and summarizes the main characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in order to better understand and apply better clinical management of this condition.