Coronavirus vaccines and treatment: Everything you need to know

Vaccines to halt the spread of COVID-19 are beginning to be tested in humans, but experts caution they’re still months away.

COVID-19, the potentially fatal respiratory illness first detected in December 2019, has spread across the globe, forcing the cancellation of major events, postponing sports seasons and sending many into self-imposed quarantine. As health authorities and governments attempt to slow the spread, researchers are focusing their attention on the coronavirus that causes the disease: SARS-CoV-2.

Since it was first discovered as the causative agent of the new disease, scientists have been racing to get a better understanding of the virus’ genetic makeup, how it infects cells and how to effectively treat it. Currently there’s no cure and medical specialists can only treat the symptoms of the disease. However, the long-term strategy to combat COVID-19, which has spread to every continent on Earth besides Antarctica, will be to develop a vaccine.

Developing new vaccines takes time and they must be rigorously tested and confirmed safe via clinical trials before they can be routinely used in humans. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US, has commonly stated a vaccine is at least a year to 18 months away. Experts agree there’s a ways to go yet.

Συνέχεια ανάγνωσης εδώ

Πηγή: cnet.com