Unmasking vulnerabilities in the age of COVID‑19 (Review)
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- Published online on: October 31, 2024 https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2024.290
- Article Number: 2
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Copyright : © Mustafa et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].
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Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic, driven by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2), has evolved into an unprecedented global health crisis, encompassing zoonotic origins, a shift in human‑to‑human transmission dynamics and global dissemination. The present review navigates through the complexities of COVID‑19. Beyond mild respiratory symptoms, the clinical spectrum includes severe conditions, such as multi‑organ failure, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The critical evaluation of COVID‑19 diagnostic techniques, including PCR, antigen tests and serological assays, emphasizes their pivotal role in disease detection, management, contact tracing and containment. As regards the therapeutic domain, the present review discusses treatments, such as antivirals, immunomodulatory therapies and repurposed pharmaceuticals, with an emphasis on vaccine development for epidemic containment and herd immunity. Despite progress being made, global healthcare systems face formidable challenges, including equitable vaccine distribution, combatting disinformation, viral mutation management and strategic planning for future outbreaks. A comparative analysis of SARS highlights the need to distinguish between these diseases for effective epidemic management. The present review aimed to provide profound insight into the diverse nature of COVID‑19, fostering a more in‑depth understanding, and guiding future research and public health initiatives.
