COVID-19 and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

The COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2（SARS-CoV-2）. The World Health Organization declared the pandemic in March 2020. Now, more than 124 million cases have been confirmed worldwide. High-risk factors, treatments and vaccines of COVID-19 have been published during the past year. High age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, obesity, malignancy and high-dose steroid administration are among the high-risk factors of COVID-19. No current medicine can completely cure COVID-19, but some medications may help alleviate symptoms and manage the impact of the virus. Candidates include remdesivir, dexamethasone, IL6 inhibitors, baricitinib, and monoclonal antibodies against spike protein. Vaccines represent the most efficient means to control and stop the pandemic of COVID-19. Researchers around the world are developing vaccines but SARS-CoV-2 has some mutant species that are considered to potential have increased transmissibility, increased virulence, and reduced effectiveness of vaccines against them.