The main target of SARS-CoV-2 in patients is the lower respiratory tract. The most frequent signs of COVID-19 are cough, muscle pain, fever, shortness of breathing, sore throat, fatigue, headache, a loss of smell and taste, and dyspnea. This oscillating period makes it notably hard to reach a primary diagnosis and initiate treatment on time. The coronavirus is transmitted commonly by respiratory droplets and can be asymptomatic between 2 and 14 days. So far, > 210 million infected cases and > 4.5 million deaths from SARS-CoV-2 infection have been identified. Compared to other members of the Coronaviridae family, such as the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus), the mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 is considerably lower however, it is more transmissible. SARS-CoV-2 is an etiologic agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which appeared in Wuhan, China, and now spread worldwide. There is a current outbreak of a novel coronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In addition to reviewing the vaccine candidates that entered phases 4, 3, and 2/3 clinical trials, this review also discusses the various platforms that are used to develop the vaccine COVID-19. This review describes potential therapeutic agents, including antiviral agents, biologic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and herbal agents in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

By an understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 structure and its infection mechanisms, several vaccine candidates are under development and some are currently in various phases of clinical trials. There are many potential therapeutic agents to pharmacologically fight COVID-19: antiviral molecules, recombinant soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, corticosteroids, interferon therapies, and herbal agents. Although humans are currently being vaccinated with several COVID-19 candidate vaccines in many countries, however, the world still is relying on hygiene measures, social distancing, and approved drugs. While COVID-19 is asymptomatic in most individuals, it can cause symptoms like pneumonia, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), and death in others.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to plague the world.

Antigenic shift covid 19