Overview
In 2020, the world faced a new and rapidly spreading virus. There was no vaccine, limited testing, and significant uncertainty. The focus was on prevention (social distancing, mask-wearing) and supportive care for severe cases.
Symptoms
Early reports highlighted fever, cough, and shortness of breath as the main symptoms. Loss of taste and smell emerged as a hallmark symptom.
Causes
The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was identified as the cause. It spread rapidly due to high transmissibility and global travel.
Treatment
Treatment was supportive. Remdesivir was one of the first antivirals to be approved. Dexamethasone was shown to reduce mortality in severe cases.
When to See a Doctor
The advice was to seek medical care for severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or chest pain.