COVID-19 and the Coronavirus Sourcebook, First Edition

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In December 2019, this contagious virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, and spread around the world rapidly. The symptoms of coronavirus include respiratory problems much similar to cold, flu, or pneumonia. The virus attacks the lungs and the respiratory system and then affects the other parts of the body in most cases. COVID-19 on people started with mild symptoms leading to severe illness—mostly for people with underlying medical conditions. Some with zero to minor symptoms suffered from post-COVID or long COVID-19 conditions. The United States reported about a million deaths due to COVID-19 infection. In July 2020, safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 were discovered, which allowed the immune system to fight the virus. 

COVID-19 and the Coronavirus Sourcebook, First Edition offers basic information on the coronavirus and COVID-19 infection. It provides facts about its origin, how it spreads, earlier outbreaks, variants, symptoms, risk factors, clinical presentation in specific populations and pets and animals, and the statistics of its cases and deaths. It explains the protective and control measures such as social distancing, self-isolation, face masks, and disinfecting. The guidance for COVID-19 measures in schools, workplace, and other places are discussed. Clinical care and treatment information for COVID-19 provides detailed information on the investigation, treatment, vaccines, management, and ongoing research. Furthermore, this book illustrates the long COVID-19 infection, mental health issues, and the impact on the global economy, social, and lifestyle issues. It concludes with a glossary of terms related to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases and a list of resources for additional help and information about COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

Part I: What You Need to Know about COVID-19 talks about the basics of coronavirus, its epidemiology, its origin, and how the infection spread. It describes earlier outbreaks such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). It details the variants of the coronavirus, its symptoms, risk factors, testing process, and clinical presentations. The part concludes with statistics on COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Part II: Prevention and Control Measures of COVID-19 provides basic information about various preventive measures such as face masks and personal hygiene, social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting at home, staying away from infected people, and self-isolation. This part also provides guidance for prevention and control in schools and workplaces.

Part III: Clinical Care and Treatment Information for COVID-19 offers detailed information about the types of treatments and management processes. Individual chapters and sections explain how the research and operations took place and how the health-care industry managed the situation. It also describes the diagnostic tests and treatment techniques utilized.

Part IV: Coronavirus Vaccines and Immunizations explains the types of vaccines and their side effects. Individual chapters and sections discuss the role of vaccine safety, its benefits, its myths and facts, and herd immunity against COVID-19. 

Part V: Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Infection describes the post-COVID-19 health condition and how it is managed. It also talks about the mental health of people with long COVID-19. It includes tips for patients and supporting people and employees with COVID-19. The part concludes with a discussion on long COVID-19 as a disability.

Part VI: COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Social Impact addresses the pandemic of the past and discusses COVID-19 impact on the U.S. economy, education, health care, and travel and tourism industries. Furthermore, it also explains the changes major cities experienced and the employment situation due to the pandemic. The part concludes with the details of how to approach a possible outbreak in the future and the transition from pandemic to endemic.

Part VII: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of terms related to COVID-19 and a directory of agencies offering additional help and support about COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.