Clinical features and radiological manifestations of COVID-19 disease

Core Tip

Core Tip: Coronavirus is a family of single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted from person to person. Asymptomatic individuals can transmit the virus, although symptomatic patients are more contagious. The incubation period is 3-7 d. Symptoms are mainly respiratory, including pneumonia or pulmonary embolism in severe cases. Blood tests typically show elevated levels of interleukins, associated with disease severity. The disease has three phases: Viral, pulmonary, and hyperinflammatory. To date, no treatment has proved safe or effective. Chest X-ray and computed tomography are the main imaging tests, used to diagnose pneumonia, for follow-up, and to detect complications. The most important radiological findings are ground-glass opacities and areas of consolidation. Some patients may develop pulmonary fibrosis. In patients with pulmonary involvement, positron emission tomography-computed tomography is useful to define the affected areas and to evaluate treatment response.