IFEMED Journal

Editor-In-Chief's Note

Michael Onasanya — 2024-12-23

No abstract

Epidemiology, natural history, transmission and prevention of COVID-19

E. Adebimpe — 2024-12-23

No abstract

COVID-19 and the brain: neurological changes in COVID-19

M. A. Komolafe — 2024-12-23

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmissible viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in Wuhan, China and has since spread rapidly around the world resulting in a global pandemic that has caused millions of deaths. Although primarily a disease of the respiratory tract, the spectrum of pathology in COVID-19 is wide and this has been linked to the ability of the virus to attack several organs of the human body such as the heart, kidney and even the brain. A growing body of evidence shows that neuro-tropism is one common feature of coronaviruses.

Neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 are abundant and highly variable involving the central nervous system (dizziness, headache, impaired consciousness, ataxia, seizure and acute cerebrovascular disease), peripheral nervous system (smell impairment, vision impairment, (taste impairment, and nerve pain), and muscular-skeletal system. It can occur prior to its diagnosis or as a complication of the viral infection. The involvement of the nervous system can be due to its direct action on the nervous tissue or an indirect action through the activation of immune-mediated mechanisms. Neurological complaints at any point during the course of the illness is associated with a higher risk of death.

This review elaborates on the neurological changes associated with the brain, potential mechanisms of these changes and their clinical presentations.

Ocular manifestations of COVID-19

S. A. Badmus — 2024-12-23

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2) is a coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) with mild to severe respiratory illness. It is a highly contagious disease transmitted via respiratory droplets and other routes still being investigated either through a direct or indirect contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces. It is well known that coronaviruses (CoVs) can cause a variety of ocular pathologies in animals, including conjunctivitis, anterior uveitis, retinitis, and optic neuritis, many of which are severe. However, there is no evidence to support the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 in the eye tissue of asymptomatic patients, even if the symptomatic incidence is low.
COVID-19 has spread throughout the continents and has become a global threat to public health as it posed the risk of rapidly overloading health care systems and causing grave mortality worldwide. As a result of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020 declared coronavirus a global pandemic.
While diagnostic and therapeutic efforts have been focused on respiratory complications of the disease, several studies have described a few cases with initial ocular symptoms followed by systemic symptoms of the disease. SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been found in tears of the infected patients, and reports suggest that the ocular surface could serve as a portal of entry and a reservoir for viral transmission. Although, COVID-19 has been clinically associated with mild conjunctivitis, which can be the first and only symptom of the disease, subtle retinal changes like hyperreflective lesions in the inner layers on optical coherence tomography (OCT), cotton-wool spots, and microhaemorrhages have also been reported. It has also been associated with an increased incidence of systemic diseases like diabetes mellitus and Kawasaki disease, which are particularly relevant for ophthalmologists due to their potentially severe ocular manifestations.

Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19

Anthony O. Akintomide — 2024-12-23

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted health care delivery across the globe for obvious reasons. Although the virus mostly affects the respiratory system, manifestations in various other organ systems are not uncommon. The multiple cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 are mediated through various pathways. The presence of cardiovascular complications is more likely with pre-existing cardiac disease and presents with varying manifestations, many of which have an unclear pathophysiology. Management of these complications combines classical and novel treatment options with regard to known aspects of the pathophysiology of the disease and much hope lies in the development and effectiveness of new vaccines. This article summarizes the key cardiovascular complications, their known clinical features and the available treatment modalities according to existing data and knowledge.

Response strategies to COVID-19 Cases/Outbreak & Management

T. O. Ojo — 2024-12-23

No abstract

Renal manifestations and complications of COVID-19

O. Okunola — 2024-12-23

In December 2019, the Severe Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was brought to the fore as the cause of the rapidly spreading Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) that soon became a global pandemic with rising death tolls.
The disease was initially described as a primary respiratory infection, however as studies advance, its effects on the kidneys have also been descibed. The role of the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor found in abundance in both the lungs and the kidneys has been implicated in the pathophysiology of kidney disease following kidney infection.
This article discusses the aetiology, pathogenesis, and management of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in COVID-19 and the peculiarities of the infection in patients with end-stage renal disease on renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplant).

COVID-19 pandemic and mental health impacts

J.D. Olaitan — 2024-12-23

The COVID-19 Pandemic had several impacts on the world regarding health, lifestyle, and the economy. This major virus outbreak, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), presented a major hazard to the mental health of the global populace . According to WHO, mental health is the state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community . The COVID-19 pandemic may have had a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people due to its disruption of the general ability to work productively and make a significant contribution to the community at large.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased levels of anxiety, because of the uncertainty that came with a novel, unknown disease, and the anxiety that came with the fear of infection. The pandemic may also have worsened the mental health of those with 3 pre-existing mental illnesses. This may be due to limitations in their access to mental health services , and the experience of 4 pandemic-related isolation, fear, and worry among others (4) . The global prevalence of anxiety and depression, increased by 25% . The impact of COVID-19 has been immense in SubSaharan Africa, due to fear, anxiety and, direct impact of disease on self or loved ones . In Nigeria, up to 49% of the population reported anxiety during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic . This article will examine the mental health impacts

Surgical practice in the COVID-19 era

Olalekan Olasehinde — 2024-12-23

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a 21st century pandemic that ravaged most countries of the world claiming over 6.1 million lives and infecting no less than 478 million persons globally. The pandemic has significantly impacted various sectors of the world with the health sector serving as no exception, having claimed the lives of over 180,000 Healthcare workers (HCWs) globally. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health sector is vividly obvious on the surgical aspect of medicine in Nigeria and the world at large, impacting: surgical volume, mortality and morbidity; undergraduate and postgraduate surgical training and; the cost of surgical services. This article reviews the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the surgery and all that relate with it whilst proffering recommendations.

Management of COVID-19 patients

K.J. Adegoke — 2024-12-23

The largest threat to the healthcare of mankind since the 1918 influenza pandemic was the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The First cases of COVID-19 were discovered in Wuhan in Hubei province, China, and COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020. According to WHO, as of 19 June 2022, over 536 million confirmed cases and over 6.3 million deaths have been reported globally. COVID-19 presents with symptoms affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurologic systems. The patients at risk of severe symptoms include the elderly, people with comorbidities, the immunocompromised, and the unvaccinated. Treatment of patients with COVID-19 depends on the severity of the disease, the patient's health condition, and the resources available. In this review, we discussed extensively the strategies utilized and recent advancements in the respiratory, cardiovascular, and renal management of COVID-19 patients. Close contact with infected individuals who produce respiratory droplets is the most common mechanism of person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection. As such, safety measures to be followed by healthcare personnel are also discussed.

Impact of COVID-19 on medical education

V.O. Akinkuolie — 2024-12-23

The Corona Virus Disease, a new virus discovered in Wuhan, China disrupted the health care and education system all over the world. To ensure the viability of the medical program, continuing education via online platform was deemed necessary. The universal accessibility of online resources and its ability to aid students' engagement informed this decision. Indeed, the traditional medical education has never been challenged this way especially when stakeholders have had to continue medical education as well as play their role in combating the virus whilst also ensuring their own safety. All over the world, online platforms have allowed students attend classes virtually in real time although assessment has been challenging but has not halted with the availability of timed multiple choice questions, oral exams and simulation based assessment to demonstrate and determine competence. There is the post-pandemic catch up in the light of lessened impact of the pandemic to ensure competent, independent medical graduates. This article discusses the challenges and advantages of the pandemic as the impact of COVID-19 on Medical Education.

The autopsy pathology of organs changes

S.T. Olowookere — 2024-12-23

No abstract

Case report on Management of COVID-19 patient

A. Adesunkanmi — 2024-12-23

In late 2019, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), was reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China . It was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, having fulfilled the epidemiological criteria of more than 100,000 infections in at least 100 countries . Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The majority of the people who become ill with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. However, some will become severely ill and require critical care. We report the case of a middle-aged man, a known diabetic patient who was managed for moderate symptoms of SARS-CoV2 virus. He was admitted into the isolation ward, investigated, and had supportive care. He subsequently recovered without any sequelae and was discharged home 1 week after admission. We report this case to highlight the routine management of COVID 19 in a patient with comorbidity.

Timeline of COVID-19 from March 2021 till date

Precious Salako — 2024-12-23

No abstract

Heisenberg

Osamudiamen Joseph — 2024-12-23

No abstract

Unawares

Mobolaji Mobolaji — 2024-12-23

No abstract

Jokes and Poems

Olaitan Joy Damilola — 2024-12-23

No abstract

IFEMED Report

Deola Adesanya — 2024-12-23

No abstract