Causes

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2,

causes coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ). The virus that causes COVID-19
spreads easily among people. Data has shown that the COVID-19 virus spreads mainly
from person to person among those in close contact. Infection with severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2, causes coronavirus disease 2019
( COVID-19 ). The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily among people. Data has
shown that the COVID-19 virus spreads mainly from person to person among those in
close contact. (Mayo clinic staff, 2022)

General info
When a virus has one or more new mutations it’s called a variant of the original virus.
The omicron (B.1.1.529) variant spreads more easily than the original virus that
causes COVID-19 and the delta variant. However, omicron appears to cause less severe
disease. People who are fully vaccinated can get breakthrough infections and spread the
virus to others. But the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness.
This variant also reduces the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody treatments.
Omicron has a few major offshoots (sublineages), including BA.5 and BA.2.12.1. BA.5
made up about 88% of COVID-19 infections that had genetic sequencing in the U.S. in
August, 2022, according to the CDC. (Mayo clinic staff, 2022)

Symptoms
Fever
Cough
Tiredness
Early symptoms of COVID-19 may include a loss of taste or smell.
Other symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Muscle aches
Chills
Sore throat
Runny nose
Headache
Chest pain
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Rash (Mayo clinic staff, 2022)

Transmission

 Serious heart diseases, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or

cardiomyopathy
 Cancer
 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
 Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
 Overweight, obesity or severe obesity
 High blood pressure
 Smoking
 Chronic kidney disease
 Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
 Weakened immune system from solid organ transplants or bone
marrow transplants
 Pregnancy
 Asthma
 Chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or pulmonary
hypertension
 Liver disease
 Dementia
 Down syndrome
 Weakened immune system from bone marrow transplant, HIV or some
medications
 Brain and nervous system conditions, such as strokes
 Substance use disorders (Mayo clinic staff, 2022)
Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorization
to some COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. The FDA has approved the Pfizer-
BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, now called Comirnaty, to prevent COVID-19 in people
age 12 and older. The FDA has given emergency use authorization to Pfizer-
BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for ages 6 months through 11 years.

The FDA has approved the Moderna vaccine, now called Spikevax, to prevent COVID-
19 in people age 18 and older. The FDA has also authorized the Moderna COVID-
19 vaccine in children ages 6 months through 17 years old. The FDA has also
authorized the Novavax COVID-19, adjuvanted vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in
people age 12 and older.
Due to the risk of a potentially life-threatening blood-clotting problem, the FDA is
restricting use of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine to certain people age 18 and
older. Examples include people who had a severe allergic reaction after getting
an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and people who can't get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
due to limited access or personal or religious concerns. If you get this vaccine, be sure
to understand the risks and symptoms of the blood-clotting problem.

A vaccine can prevent you from getting the COVID-19 virus or prevent you from
becoming seriously ill if you get the COVID-19 virus. In addition, COVID-
19 vaccination might offer better protection than getting sick with COVID-19. A recent
study showed that unvaccinated people who already had COVID-19 are more than twice
as likely as fully vaccinated people to get reinfected with COVID-19.

After getting vaccinated, you can more safely return to many activities you may not
have been able to do because of the pandemic. However, if you are in an area with a
high number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-19 cases,
the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public. You're considered fully
vaccinated two weeks after you get a second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine,
after two doses of the Novavax vaccine, or two weeks after you get a single dose of the
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. You are considered up to date with
your vaccines if you have gotten all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including
booster doses, when you become eligible.

An additional primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people who are
vaccinated and might not have had a strong enough immune response.

In contrast, a booster dose is recommended for people who are vaccinated and whose
immune response weakened over time. Research suggests that getting a booster dose
can decrease your risk of infection and severe illness with COVID-19.

People who have a moderately or severely weakened immune system should get an
additional primary shot and a booster shot.

The CDC recommends additional doses and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines in
specific instances:

 Additional primary shot. The CDC recommends an additional primary

shot of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for some people with weakened
 immune systems, such as those who have had an organ transplant. People
with weakened immune systems might not develop enough immunity after
vaccination with two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or one dose
of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. An additional shot
using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine might improve their protection
against COVID-19. This recommendation for an
additional mRNA COVID-19 shot is for people ages 6 months and older.

The additional primary shot should be given at least four weeks after a
second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The additional primary
shot should be the same brand as the other two mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
doses that were given. If the brand given isn't known, either brand
of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can be given as a third dose.

 Booster dose. These recommendations differ by age, what vaccines you

have been given and the state of your immune system.

People age 5 and older who had all recommended doses of the Moderna,
Pfizer-BioNTech or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines can get the Pfizer-
BioNTech COVID-19 updated, or bivalent booster. This booster is based
on the original virus strain and two Omicron strains. People age 6 and
older can choose between the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-
19 bivalent vaccine booster. You can get the booster shot at least two
months after their last shot. If you recently had a positive COVID-19 test,
you may consider waiting three months from when their symptoms started
to get the booster.

If you are age 18 or older, and got the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, you can
get either of the mRNA vaccine bivalent boosters at least two months after
your shot.

People 18 and older may also get a Novavax booster based on the original
virus strain as a first booster at least six months after their last shot.

Pregnant people can also get a COVID-19 booster dose.

 Booster doses for people with weakened immune systems. People age 5
and older who have a weakened immune system and have had all
recommended doses of the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech or
Novavax COVID-19 vaccines can get an updated, or bivalent, booster dose
 of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The bivalent booster can be
given at least two months after the last shot.

The FDA has also authorized the monoclonal antibodies tixagevimab and cilgavimab
(Evusheld) to prevent COVID-19 in some people with weakened immune systems or a
history of severe reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine.

There are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection from the COVID-
19 virus and reduce the risk of spreading it to others. WHO and CDC recommend
following these precautions:

 Get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of getting and

spreading COVID-19.

 Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.

 Keep distance between yourself and others when you're in indoor public
spaces. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious
illness. Keep in mind some people may have COVID-19 and spread it to
others, even if they don't have symptoms or don't know they have COVID-
19.

 Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).

 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

 Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces if you're in an area with a high
number of people with COVID-19 in the hospital and new COVID-
19 cases, whether or not you're vaccinated. The CDC recommends wearing
the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly, fits well and
is comfortable.

 Improve the air flow indoors. Open windows. Turn on fans to direct air out
of windows. If you can't open windows, consider using air filters. And turn
on exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen. You might also consider a
portable air cleaner.

 Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw away the used tissue. Wash your hands right away.

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

 Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, towels, bedding and other household items
if you're sick.
  Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches,
electronics and counters, regularly.

 Stay home from work, school and public areas and stay home in isolation
if you're sick, unless you're going to get medical care. Avoid public
transportation, taxis and ride-hailing services if you're sick.

If you have a chronic medical condition and may have a higher risk of serious illness,
check with your doctor about other ways to protect yourself. (Mayo clinic staff, 2022)

Bibliografía
Mayo clinic staff. (29 de 10 de 2022). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Obtenido de Mayo
clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-
causes/syc-20479963#:~:text=Infection%20with%20severe%20acute
%20respiratory,among%20those%20in%20close%20contact.