#323: COVID-19 & SARS-CoV-2 with Rizwan Sohail, MD

Dr. Rizwan Sohail is an infectious disease specialist based at the Mayo Clinic, where he holds a joint appointment with the divisions of Infectious Diseases and Cardiovascular Diseases. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and then a Fellowship in infectious diseases at the Mayo Clinic. In This Episode We Discuss Distinguishing between COVID-19 (disease) and the actual novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) What is different about this specific coronavirus compared to others This coronavirus has a respiratory droplet transmission The difference between respiratory droplet and airbourne transmission Time from exposure to SARS-CoV-2 to symptom The disease mechanism Current case reports on those hospitalized In those who have recovered, do we know yet whether they can be reinfected or if they have established immunity? Is the severity of the disease impacted by the length or magnitude of the exposure? On average, for someone infected how many people will they likely infect. How it compares to other viruses in terms of lethality and transmissibility Why social distancing (and potentially self- isolation) is so important Impact on healthcare system Mortality rate is not inherent to the virus alone, but mediated by how the healthcare system holds up, as well as population demographics, etc. Response needed now: a) public health/governmental; b) individuals (context dependent)