Covid-19: Who is at Risk and How to Risk Stratify for Poor Outcome?
Abstract
Syed Raza
The SARS-COV-2 is not even 90 days old and much is already known about it by scientists and healthcare professionals across the globe. However, there are still areas of knowledge gap and uncertainty. This has left us with many unanswered questions and members of public in fear and confusion. First, very little is known about the original source of this virus and the other modes of transmission of infection in addition to droplet. Whether it is air borne or has orofecal transmission in addition is still for anybody to guess. It is also not clear as to what proportion of patients of COVID-19 exhibit no symptoms but has the potential to transmit the infection. There are many claims that have been circulating on the internet, social media and print media regarding the treatment and therapeutic options that are available to fight this deadly virus. The fact however is, that there is no fact in these statements. These claims come from studies which are only observational, anecdotal and have paucity of data from a very small study population and very short follow up. There is virtually no scientific study design and therefore will be unacceptable by healthcare scientific community at large. These claims and statements therefore are not only false and misleading but also dangerous.