The global pandemic caused by the newly described severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused worldwide suffering and death of unimaginable magnitude from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus is transmitted through aerosol droplets, and causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. SARS-CoV-2 uses the receptor-binding domain of its spike protein S1 to attach to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor in lung and airway cells. Binding requires the help of another host protein, transmembrane protease serine S1 member 2. Several factors likely contribute to the efficient transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 has a 10- to 20-fold higher receptor-binding capacity compared with previous pandemic coronaviruses. In addition, because asymptomatic persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 have high viral loads in their nasal secretions, they can silently and efficiently spread the disease. PCR-based tests have emerged as the criterion standard for the diagnosis of infection. Caution must be exercised in interpreting antibody-based tests because they have not yet been validated, and may give a false sense of security of being “immune” to SARS-CoV-2. We discuss how the development of some symptoms in allergic rhinitis can serve as clues for new-onset COVID-19. There are mixed reports that asthma is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, possibly due to differences in asthma endotypes. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has focused the efforts of scientists on repurposing existing Food and Drug Administration–approved drugs that inhibit viral entry, endocytosis, genome assembly, translation, and replication. Numerous clinical trials have been launched to identify effective treatments for COVID-19. Initial data from a placebo-controlled study suggest faster time to recovery in patients on remdesivir; it is now being evaluated in additional controlled studies. As discussed in this review, till effective vaccines and treatments emerge, it is important to understand the scientific rationale of pandemic-mitigation strategies such as wearing facemasks and social distancing, and implement them.

由新描述的严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 引起的全球大流行已在全世界范围内造成了 2019 冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 造成的难以想象的痛苦和死亡。该病毒通过气溶胶飞沫传播，并引起严重的急性呼吸道综合症。 SARS-CoV-2 利用其刺突蛋白 S1 的受体结合域附着在肺和气道细胞中的宿主血管紧张素转换酶 2 受体上。结合需要另一种宿主蛋白​​、跨膜蛋白酶丝氨酸 S1 成员 2 的帮助。有几个因素可能有助于 SARS-CoV-2 的有效传播。与之前的大流行冠状病毒相比，SARS-CoV-2 的受体结合域的受体结合能力高出 10 至 20 倍。此外，由于SARS-CoV-2无症状感染者鼻腔分泌物中病毒载量较高，因此他们可以悄无声息地有效传播疾病。基于 PCR 的检测已成为诊断感染的标准。在解释基于抗体的测试时必须谨慎，因为它们尚未得到验证，并且可能会给人一种对 SARS-CoV-2“免疫”的错误安全感。我们讨论过敏性鼻炎的某些症状的发展如何作为新发 COVID-19 的线索。有不同的报道称哮喘是严重 COVID-19 的危险因素，这可能是由于哮喘内型的差异所致。 COVID-19 的快速传播促使科学家们集中精力重新利用现有的美国食品和药物管理局批准的抑制病毒进入、内吞作用、基因组组装、翻译和复制的药物。已经开展了大量临床试验来确定针对 COVID-19 的有效治疗方法。 一项安慰剂对照研究的初步数据表明，服用瑞德西韦的患者恢复时间更快；目前正在其他对照研究中对其进行评估。正如本综述所讨论的，在有效的疫苗和治疗方法出现之前，了解并实施诸如戴口罩和保持社交距离等流行病缓解策略的科学原理非常重要。