The clinical symptoms of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may
vary from asymptomatic to mild to severe to critical disease. The clinical symptoms
include fever, body ache, severe weakness, cough, breathlessness, nausea/vomiting,
diarrhoea, change in taste/smell, etc. The management of COVID-19 patients is in its
evolutionary phase since the guidelines are being updated regularly due to the gradual
addition of unique symptoms to the disease. A large number of asymptomatic cases,
longer incubation periods, and high transmission rates are some of the concerns of the
pandemic. The treatment is supportive in the absence of a specific therapeutic drug and
a prophylactic vaccine. Numerous antipyretics, existing anti-viral drugs, antibiotics
supplements, and other approaches are utilized for the management of COVID-19
patients. Though at early-stage (in the upper respiratory tract), the treatment of this
infection is easier as compared to its advanced stage when the infection proceeds to the
lower respiratory tract. Most of the severe cases may need hospitalization, regular
monitoring, and oxygen supplementation. Patients with respiratory failure may need
ventilator support. The SARS-CoV-2 mediated immune response has a significant
impact on infection severity, which is represented as a cytokine storm and ultimately
leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARSD). The present chapter describes
clinical manifestations and management of COVID-19 patients. Besides this, we have
also discussed the host immune response and pathogenesis of the disease. Further
comprehensive patient-based clinical studies will provide insight into the additional
clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and host immune response needed to clear the
virus from the human body.
Keywords: Asymptomatic, COVID-19, Clinical manifestations, Critical illness,
Cytokine storm, Management, Mild illness, Pathogenesis, SARS-CoV-2, Severe
illness, Treatment.