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Moderate severity
· MD Medicine
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 viral respiratory infection
A respiratory virus that can range from mild cold to severe pneumonia and multi-organ disease. Vaccines and early antivirals reduce serious illness.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Endemic now
- Typical age
- Any age, older more severe
- Outlook
- Mostly mild
- System
- Lungs
Reviewed by a verified MD Medicine doctor
What causes it
Causes
- SARS-CoV-2 virus
- Crowded indoor spaces
- Poor ventilation
- Unvaccinated status
- Immune suppression
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Fever, cough, sore throat
- Loss of smell or taste
- Fatigue, body aches
- Breathlessness if pneumonia
- Long-COVID symptoms after weeks
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Rest, hydration, paracetamol
- Antivirals (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) in high-risk
- Oxygen and steroids in severe
- Annual booster vaccine
- Treat long-COVID symptoms
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Stay up-to-date on vaccines
- Mask in crowded poorly ventilated spaces
- Ventilate rooms
- Treat co-morbidities
Do’s
- Test early when symptomatic
- Isolate while infectious
- Mask in healthcare settings
- Hydrate well, rest
Don’ts
- Ignore symptoms in elderly
- Stop antivirals early
- Use leftover antibiotics
- Spread misinformation
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.