RESUMEN
Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome - coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a single-stranded positive ribonucleic acid virus of the coronaviridae family. The disease caused by this virus has been named by the World Health Organization coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), whose main manifestation is interstitial pneumonia. Aim of this study is to describe the radiological features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in its original form, to correlate the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) patterns with clinical findings, prognosis and mortality, and to establish the need for treatment and admission to the intensive care unit. Material and Methods: From March 2020 to May 2020, 193 patients (72 F and 121 M) who were swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 were retrospectively selected for our study. These patients underwent HRCT in the clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 interstitial pneumonia. Results: Our results confirm the role of radiology and, in particular, of chest HRCT as a technique with high sensitivity in the recognition of the most peculiar features of COVID-19 pneumonia, in the evaluation of severity of the disease, in the correct interpretation of temporal changes of the radiological picture during the follow-up until the resolution, and in obtaining prognostic information, also to direct the treatment. Conclusion: Chest computed tomography cannot be considered as a substitute for real-time - polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of COVID-19, but rather supplementary to it in the diagnostic process as it can detect parenchymal changes at an early stage and even before the positive swab, at least for patients who have been symptomatic for more than 3 days.
RESUMEN
SARS-CoV-2 virus, infecting human cells via its spike protein, causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is characterized by shortness of breath, fever, and pneumonia and is sometimes fatal. Unfortunately, to date, there is still no definite therapy to treat COVID-19. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved only supportive care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to maintain a correct intake of nutrients to support very weakened patients in overcoming disease arose. The literature available on nutrient intake for COVID-19 is mainly focused on prevention. However, the safe intake of micro- and/or macro-nutrients can be useful either for preventing infection and supporting the immune response during COVID-19, as well as in the post-acute phase, i.e., "long COVID", that is sometimes characterized by the onset of various long lasting and disabling symptoms. The aim of this review is to focus on the role of nutrient intake during all the different phases of the disease, including prevention, the acute phase, and finally long COVID.