Infections
Covid-19

What is the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV)?

The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, or 2019-nCoV) is a virus that causes respiratory disease in humans (including acute respiratory disease COVID-19) and can be transmitted from person to person. This virus was first identified during the investigation of an outbreak in the city of Wuhan, China in December 2019.

The new strain of coronavirus, known as FLiRT, is derived from the currently world-dominant Omicron variant. Due to specific mutations in the spike protein,  the virus better binds to cells and avoids the immune response. That is, FLiRT affects weakened immunity more quickly, and even previously vaccinated people can get sick, but acquired immunity after vaccination reduces the risks of complications during the disease.

What are the symptoms of the disease?

The most common symptoms are:

  • temperature increase;
  • cough;
  • fatigue;
  • loss of taste or smell.

Less common symptoms:

  • sore throat;
  • headache;
  • pain in muscles and joints;
  • diarrhea;
  • rash on the skin, pallor of the fingers or toes;
  • redness or irritation of the eyes.

Serious symptoms:

  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
  • impaired speech or motor functions or confused consciousness;
  • chest pain

If serious symptoms appear, it is necessary to immediately seek medical help: call the family doctor or a medical institution and make an appointment.
Individuals with mild symptoms in the absence of other health problems should stay at home and try to relieve symptoms.
As a rule, symptoms appear 5-6 days after infection, although the incubation period can last up to 14 days.

How dangerous is the disease?

Although most patients will have a mild course of the disease, at-risk groups - children under 2 years old, pregnant women, medically at-risk groups, and the elderly - can have complications that, in turn, can lead to hospitalization and death.
Complications of coronavirus disease include:

  • acute respiratory failure
  • pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs of a viral nature, which is not treated with antibiotics)
  • acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • acute liver injury
  • acute heart injury
  • secondary infections (joining a bacterial infection, which can lead to bacterial pneumonia, otitis, etc.)
  • acute kidney injury
  • septic shock
  • thrombosis
  • multisystem inflammatory syndrome (in children)
  • chronic fatigue
  • rhabdomyolysis (inflammation of muscle tissue)

In addition, after recovery, some patients may experience so-called “long-covid” – a variety of symptoms and health problems that may last for weeks, months, or even longer after a COVID-19 test in the patient showed a negative result. The symptoms of "long-covid" include: increased fatigue, fever, symptoms from the respiratory organs and the cardiovascular system (shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, rapid heartbeat), neurological symptoms (concentration problems, headache, sleep disorders, dizziness, "tingling" sensation in the limbs, changes in the perception of tastes and aromas, anxiety or depression), symptoms from the digestive system (diarrhea, stomach pain), other symptoms (pain in muscles or joints, rash, changes in the menstrual cycle).

How can you get infected?

The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets: when an infected person coughs, sneezes or simply talks to you from a close distance (less than 1.5 m).

How to prevent the disease, protect against its serious consequences and slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease?
  • get vaccinated;
  • keep a distance of at least 1.5 m from other people, even if they do not have signs of illness;
  • wear a well-fitting mask if it is impossible to maintain physical distance and in poorly ventilated rooms;
  • avoid closed spaces, regularly ventilate the room where you are;
  • regularly wash your hands with soap or treat them with an alcohol-containing antiseptic;
  • when coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or a disposable tissue, then throw away the tissue and wash your hands;
  • if you experience symptoms of a respiratory illness, limit contact with other people and use a protective face mask (it should be replaced/disinfected regularly).
What vaccines can be vaccinated for the prevention of COVID-19?

Currently, an omicron-specific mRNA vaccine is available in Ukraine.

On what schedule are adults vaccinated against COVID-19?

According to the updated recommendations of NTGEI , approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of August 5, 2024  No. 1380:

  • for the primary vaccination of most patients, one dose of an omicron-specific mRNA vaccine (ie, a vaccine that protects against both the original Wuhan strain of the virus and the Omicron strain is sufficient;
  • medical and occupational risk groups are recommended revaccination doses 6-12 months after the previous vaccine dose; revaccination is recommended to be carried out with an omicron-specific vaccine;
  • adults who do not belong to medical and occupational risk groups can be revaccinated at their own request, provided that there are sufficient doses of the vaccine for risk groups.
Who is in the medical and occupational risk groups for whom booster doses of the vaccine against COVID-19 are recommended?

According to the updated recommendations of NTGEI, the medical risk groups include:

  • People over 60 years old (especially over 75 years old);
  • Adults aged 18 to 59 years with severe obesity or comorbid conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19;
  • Persons with moderate or severe immunodeficiency conditions (adults and children older than 6 months);
  • Pregnant women (revaccination is recommended during each pregnancy);
  • Persons living in institutions (institutions) providing long-term care and support.

Occupational risk groups include :

  • Healthcare workers who are in direct contact with patients;
  • Military;
  • Teachers and other workers in the field of education;
  • Employees of institutions providing long-term care and support.
Is it currently recommended to vaccinate children against COVID-19?

According to the updated recommendations of NTGEI, vaccination of children from the age of 6 months is allowed in the country. However, in fact, Ukraine currently only has a vaccine for vaccinating children aged 5-11 years (adolescents aged 12 and over are vaccinated with the "adult" dose of the vaccine). Children aged 5 years and older, who have not been vaccinated before, are recommended to receive a one-time vaccination with the mRNA vaccine. Revaccination of children who do not belong to the medical risk group is not routinely recommended, but at the request of the patient's parents or the patient himself, it can be carried out if there are enough doses of the vaccine for the risk groups at least 6 months after the previous dose of the vaccine.

When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?

Neither the World Health Organization (WHO) nor any other organization decides when a pandemic begins or ends. COVID-19 is no longer the cause of an international health emergency. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization first called COVID-19 a pandemic. In fact, neither the WHO nor any other institution can decide when a pandemic begins or ends. This means that the specific day that everyone believes will be the end of the COVID-19 pandemic may never come. WHO still considers COVID-19 a pandemic, but WHO has decided that COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO statement said that COVID-19 remains a global threat.

Infections