COVID-19 Comes 40 Years After AIDS - Any Lesson?

Abstract

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has hit health-care systems and societies in an unprecedented manner. In 1981, the first cases of AIDS were reported and wide diagnostic testing helped to characterize high-risk groups and the global burden of the epidemic. With Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19, everything has happened too fast and both cases and fatalities are huge but still uncertain in most places. Diagnostic testing of active and past SARS-CoV-2 infections needs to expand rapidly, ideally using rapid tests. COVID-19 deaths are highly concentrated in the elderly population, with a large proportion of fatalities being "with" rather than "by" SARS-CoV-2 infection. They are often the result of inadequate health care due to overwhelming demands. To date, there is no specific therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Several antivirals are being tested clinically, including remdesivir, at this time the most promising. For others such as lopinavir/ritonavir, neither significant virological nor clinical benefit has been shown. Given the characteristic pulmonary cytokine storm underlying the pathogenic mechanism of severe COVID-19 pneumonia and acute respiratory distress, antiinflammatory agents are being investigated. The benefit of corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, etc., is limited. Monoclonal antibodies targeting different pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tocilizumab, an anti-interleukin 6 agent, are being tried with encouraging results. Ultimately a protective vaccine will be the best response for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Short Communication: HIV Viral Load Trends During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in a Reference Center for HIV in Rome, Italy

“…6 Little information is available on how COVID-19 is affecting PLWH behaviors and the natural history of HIV infection. [8][9][10] In our experience, rescheduling of clinical FIG. 1.…”

SARS-CoV-2 and HIV: Epidemiology, Treatment, and Lessons Learned from HIV

“…The HIV pandemic has resulted in over 32 million lives lost 7 and has many similarities and differences with SARS-CoV-2. These other viruses can inform our responses to the current COVID-19 pandemic due to their global nature and challenges in treatment and prevention 8,9 This paper seeks to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 as it is understood to date, summarize what is known about its relationship to HIV, identify synergies in our response and suggest actions that can be taken to curtail the spread of COVID-19 among persons living with HIV (PLWH).…”

Is SARS-CoV-2 the only cause of long-COVID?

“…In this way, the pathophysiology of PACS may fit into the same box 14 . Characteristic signs/symptoms include persistent fatigue, arthromyalgias, headaches, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive dysfunction 4,15,16 . Most patients eventually meet criteria for CFS/ME, fibromyalgia, or another central sensitization syndrome, wherein perception of severity of sensory stimuli are enhanced 85 .…”