Overview of COVID-19 As Global Pandemic

Abstract

Beginning of the new decade was highlighted with the global outbreak of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). It is a kind of viral pneumonia which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new strain of Coronavirus. This outbreak of pneumonia with unknown etiology was thought to have originated from the Huanan seafood market and was reported firstly at Wuhan, in China. On 31 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that COVID-19 was listed as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).The virus was named as COVID-19 on 11th February, 2020 by WHO. As it has affected the whole world, it was declared as global pandemic by WHO. SARS-CoV-2 is the betacoronavirus with presence of different proteins which helps in attachment, penetration, biosynthesis, maturation and release of newly synthesized virion particles in the host body and infect the host. COVID-19 is contagious and primarily spreads through the respiratory tract, by droplets, respiratory secretions, and direct contact. As no vaccine or drug molecule are available yet, breaking the chain, enhancing an individual's body immunity, identifying the infection early and timely medical care are the best ways to prevent COVID-19 infection. Along with Allopathy medicines, Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy medicines are used as add-ons to treat the disease. Thus, taking into consideration this global threat this review focuses on origin, morphology of SARS-CoV-2, pathogenesis, role of Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy and Allopathy in treatment of COVID-19 and the current scenario of vaccines against COVID-19.