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FILE - This undated file image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication molnupiravir. An experimental COVID-19 drug that could soon become the first U.S.-authorized pill to treat the coronavirus faces one final hurdle Tuesday: A panel of government experts will scrutinize data on the medication from drugmaker Merck. (Merck & Co. via AP, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — An experimental COVID-19 drug that could soon become the first U.S.-authorized pill to treat the coronavirus faces one final hurdle Tuesday: A panel of government experts will scrutinize data on the medication from drugmaker Merck.
The Food and Drug Administration is asking its outside experts whether the agency should authorize the pill, weighing new information that it is less effective than first reported and may cause birth defects. The panel’s recommendations aren’t binding but often guide FDA decisions.
Tuesday’s meeting comes as U.S. infections are rising again and health authorities worldwide scramble to size up the threat posed by the new omicron variant.
If authorized, Merck’s pill would be the first that U.S. patients could take at home to ease symptoms and speed recovery, a major step toward reducing hospital case loads and deaths. The drug, molnupiravir, is already authorized for emergency use in the U.K.
Given the ongoing threat of the pandemic the FDA is widely expected to approve emergency use of Merck’s pill. But new data released last week paint a less compelling picture of the drug than when the Merck first publicized its early results in October.
On Friday, Merck said final study results showed molnupiravir reduced hospitalization and death by 30% among adults infected with the coronavirus, significantly lower than the 50% reduction it first announced based on incomplete results.
FDA regulators said they were still reviewing Merck’s update and would present a new assessment of the drug’s benefits to the outside panel. Molnupiravir’s effectiveness is a key question as panel members weigh whether to recommend the drug and for whom.
One key question is whether the drug should be restricted from use in pregnant women or women of child-bearing age.
In its safety review, FDA staffers said animal studies suggested Merck’s drug could cause birth defects when given at high doses. Regulators said they are considering a complete ban on molnupiravir’s use during pregnancy and other safeguards, including recommending contraceptives for some patients taking the pills.
Merck’s drug uses a novel approach to fight COVID-19: it inserts tiny errors into the coronavirus’ genetic code to stop the virus from reproducing. That genetic effect has raised concerns that the drug could cause mutations in human fetuses or even spur more virulent strains of the virus.
Another key question is whether the drug should be offered to patients who have been vaccinated or previously had COVID-19. Merck didn’t study the drug in vaccinated people, but data from a handful of patients with prior infections suggested it had little benefit. Still, it may be impractical for doctors to screen out those patients. The Merck drug works best when given within five days of first COVID-19 symptoms, underscoring the need for speedy treatment.
Merck tested the drug in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who were considered higher risk due to health problems like obesity, diabetes or heart disease. That’s the same group that currently receives antibody drugs, which help the immune system fight the virus. The FDA has authorized three antibody drugs for COVID-19 but all have to given by IV or injection at hospitals or clinics.
Merck was the first company to submit its COVID-19 pill to the FDA, but a rival drug from Pfizer is close behind and is also under review.
Pfizer’s drug is part of a decades-old family of antiviral pills known as protease inhibitors, a standard treatment for HIV and hepatitis C. They work differently than Merck’s pill and haven’t been linked to the kind of mutation concerns raised with Merck’s drug.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Pixabay
Prior to early 2020, the average person never uttered the word ‘coronavirus’ and had no reason to think they would soon be part of a global effort to practice social distancing. As the COVID-19 surged, these terms, and others, became commonplace in news reports and daily conversations.
Stacker consulted encyclopedias and public health websites to compile a list of 25 virology terms. These terms help build background knowledge on what viruses are, how contagious they are, how they work in living cells, how they spread, and how they affect humans. These definitions illustrate the difference between the common cold and the COVID-19 virus and why COVID-19 is so deadly. The terms also help show why self-isolation and quarantine—as well as social distancing—are critical, as these practices help “flatten the curve” and prevent an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths. This story will also highlight terms such as capsid, R0, and zoonosis that are increasingly used in news stories.
Keep reading for fast lessons in droplet spread, community transmission, quarantine, and many more COVID-19-related terms.
You may also like: Top 100 causes of death in America
Pixabay
Prior to early 2020, the average person never uttered the word ‘coronavirus’ and had no reason to think they would soon be part of a global effort to practice social distancing. As the COVID-19 surged, these terms, and others, became commonplace in news reports and daily conversations.
Stacker consulted encyclopedias and public health websites to compile a list of 25 virology terms. These terms help build background knowledge on what viruses are, how contagious they are, how they work in living cells, how they spread, and how they affect humans. These definitions illustrate the difference between the common cold and the COVID-19 virus and why COVID-19 is so deadly. The terms also help show why self-isolation and quarantine—as well as social distancing—are critical, as these practices help “flatten the curve” and prevent an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths. This story will also highlight terms such as capsid, R0, and zoonosis that are increasingly used in news stories.
Keep reading for fast lessons in droplet spread, community transmission, quarantine, and many more COVID-19-related terms.
You may also like: Top 100 causes of death in America
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Pixabay
A virus is a microscopic, infectious cellular invader. Viruses insert themselves into living cells where they replicate. They can infect most life forms: from bacteria to plants to animals. Every cellular organism studied so far has its own viruses. Millions of viruses are found across all ecosystems and life forms on Earth, with about 5,000 of these described by science.
Pixabay
A virus is a microscopic, infectious cellular invader. Viruses insert themselves into living cells where they replicate. They can infect most life forms: from bacteria to plants to animals. Every cellular organism studied so far has its own viruses. Millions of viruses are found across all ecosystems and life forms on Earth, with about 5,000 of these described by science.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
motorolka // Shutterstock
A bacteriophage—or phage for short—is a virus that specializes in infecting bacteria. Most viruses are bacteriophages. These particular types of viruses are made of proteins that infect the bacterial cell, then they enclose the DNA or RNA genome within the cell. Bacteriophages are the most common entities on Earth and are found everywhere bacteria exist, which is across all environments on Earth.
motorolka // Shutterstock
A bacteriophage—or phage for short—is a virus that specializes in infecting bacteria. Most viruses are bacteriophages. These particular types of viruses are made of proteins that infect the bacterial cell, then they enclose the DNA or RNA genome within the cell. Bacteriophages are the most common entities on Earth and are found everywhere bacteria exist, which is across all environments on Earth.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Michael Peseta // Shutterstock
Viruses specialize on all different forms of cellular life; each virus evolved to infect different forms. Animal viruses infect only animals, and two fields of study separate their study. For non-human animals, the field is known as “veterinary virology,” while “medical virology” is the study of viruses and human beings. Viruses that affect humans are the most studied with many areas of research.
Michael Peseta // Shutterstock
Viruses specialize on all different forms of cellular life; each virus evolved to infect different forms. Animal viruses infect only animals, and two fields of study separate their study. For non-human animals, the field is known as “veterinary virology,” while “medical virology” is the study of viruses and human beings. Viruses that affect humans are the most studied with many areas of research.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Yabusaka // Shutterstock
The protein shell of a virus that helps it enter its target cell is called a capsid. It protects the gene material of the virus. Structures of capsids vary widely and may consist of numerous proteins.
Yabusaka // Shutterstock
The protein shell of a virus that helps it enter its target cell is called a capsid. It protects the gene material of the virus. Structures of capsids vary widely and may consist of numerous proteins.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Sta T // Shutterstock
Some capsids build what are called “viral envelopes” from the cell itself. These are lipid membranes the virus builds around itself, with lipid material of the cell’s inner membrane. Viral envelopes are thought to help the virus infect the target cell. Lipids are the cell’s fatty acids and are not water soluble.
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Sta T // Shutterstock
Some capsids build what are called “viral envelopes” from the cell itself. These are lipid membranes the virus builds around itself, with lipid material of the cell’s inner membrane. Viral envelopes are thought to help the virus infect the target cell. Lipids are the cell’s fatty acids and are not water soluble.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Juan Gaertner // Shutterstock
Endocytosis is the term for when a virus enters its target cell. Viruses infect their cells in various ways. In some cases, the virus enters the cell but leaves the capsid behind, on the outside of the cell. In enveloped viruses, the viral envelope fuses directly with the cell membrane then it enters the cell. Inside the cell, the capsid degrades and the genetic material of the virus is released.
Juan Gaertner // Shutterstock
Endocytosis is the term for when a virus enters its target cell. Viruses infect their cells in various ways. In some cases, the virus enters the cell but leaves the capsid behind, on the outside of the cell. In enveloped viruses, the viral envelope fuses directly with the cell membrane then it enters the cell. Inside the cell, the capsid degrades and the genetic material of the virus is released.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Jarun Ontakrai // Shutterstock
Some viruses have a special trait that allows them to enter and infect a cell, then go dormant. The virus may replicate in the cell at first, then stop. Viral latency refers to the time that viral genetic material can remain in the cell before being reactivated. If reactivated, the virus can reinfect the host without the host being re-exposed. HIV is known to have viral latency.
Jarun Ontakrai // Shutterstock
Some viruses have a special trait that allows them to enter and infect a cell, then go dormant. The virus may replicate in the cell at first, then stop. Viral latency refers to the time that viral genetic material can remain in the cell before being reactivated. If reactivated, the virus can reinfect the host without the host being re-exposed. HIV is known to have viral latency.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
ARENA Creative // Shutterstock
Zoonosis is when an infectious disease is transmitted from other vertebrate animals to humans. These kinds of infections can occur in natural conditions because vertebrate animals are genetically similar to humans. Some examples include the black plague, transmitted by rats; rabies, transmitted by bats, raccoons, and dogs; and anthrax, transmitted by sheep. More recently emergent human diseases like HIV, Ebola, and SARS likely arose from zoonosis.
ARENA Creative // Shutterstock
Zoonosis is when an infectious disease is transmitted from other vertebrate animals to humans. These kinds of infections can occur in natural conditions because vertebrate animals are genetically similar to humans. Some examples include the black plague, transmitted by rats; rabies, transmitted by bats, raccoons, and dogs; and anthrax, transmitted by sheep. More recently emergent human diseases like HIV, Ebola, and SARS likely arose from zoonosis.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
SmartPhotoLab // Shutterstock
SmartPhotoLab // Shutterstock
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
James Gathany // Wikimedia Commons
James Gathany // Wikimedia Commons
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
aeorgondo2 // Shutterstock
Infectious particles like viruses can travel on dust or simply be suspended in the air. These particles can settle onto various surfaces, then can stir up and re-suspend in the air. If an uninfected person is exposed to these infectious particles, that person can become infected via airborne transmission. Some people have caught measles by entering a room where people with measles had recently been.
aeorgondo2 // Shutterstock
Infectious particles like viruses can travel on dust or simply be suspended in the air. These particles can settle onto various surfaces, then can stir up and re-suspend in the air. If an uninfected person is exposed to these infectious particles, that person can become infected via airborne transmission. Some people have caught measles by entering a room where people with measles had recently been.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
DimaBerlin // Shutterstock
Community transmission occurs when an infectious disease arises in a community in which there is no connection to a known case, and/or no known history of travel into or out of a region with the disease.
DimaBerlin // Shutterstock
Community transmission occurs when an infectious disease arises in a community in which there is no connection to a known case, and/or no known history of travel into or out of a region with the disease.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Maridav // Shutterstock
The “basic reproduction number” is also known as R0 (“R-nought”), a measure that describes how easily a virus spreads. Specifically, R0 is an estimate of how many other people get infected by one infected person. For example, seasonal flu has an R0 of about 1.3 while COVID-19 estimates suggest 1.5 or more people can be infected by each carrier, with some research indicating an R0 factor being as high as 6.68. Changes to R0 can happen with how often people see others, location, and strength of the efforts to lower spread.
Maridav // Shutterstock
The “basic reproduction number” is also known as R0 (“R-nought”), a measure that describes how easily a virus spreads. Specifically, R0 is an estimate of how many other people get infected by one infected person. For example, seasonal flu has an R0 of about 1.3 while COVID-19 estimates suggest 1.5 or more people can be infected by each carrier, with some research indicating an R0 factor being as high as 6.68. Changes to R0 can happen with how often people see others, location, and strength of the efforts to lower spread.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Chaikom // Shutterstock
An epidemic is defined by Merriam Webster’s dictionary as “an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time.” An epidemic is a situation in which a disease is actively spreading.
Chaikom // Shutterstock
An epidemic is defined by Merriam Webster’s dictionary as “an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time.” An epidemic is a situation in which a disease is actively spreading.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
A pandemic results from an epidemic that has grown past geographic boundaries. It is a type of epidemic. It occurs over a wide geographic area and impacts “an exceptionally high proportion of the population”—likely a whole country or the entire world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization categorized the new coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic.
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Prostock-studio // Shutterstock
A pandemic results from an epidemic that has grown past geographic boundaries. It is a type of epidemic. It occurs over a wide geographic area and impacts “an exceptionally high proportion of the population”—likely a whole country or the entire world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization categorized the new coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Mircea Moira // Shutterstock
Antiviral drugs are medications that are used to inhibit viruses and their development. Antibiotics typically destroy the infectious agent, but since viruses are not exactly alive, antiviral drugs are designed to interfere in some way with the virus.
Mircea Moira // Shutterstock
Antiviral drugs are medications that are used to inhibit viruses and their development. Antibiotics typically destroy the infectious agent, but since viruses are not exactly alive, antiviral drugs are designed to interfere in some way with the virus.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
CDC // Unsplash
Vaccines prevent disease. A vaccine contains the same germ that makes people sick, but it is rendered harmless: Either it’s killed or weakened to the point it does not cause illness. When the vaccine is injected into the body, the immune system responds by making antibodies, leading to the same immunity a person would have if they’d become sick and recovered. When enough people are immune, this protects whole populations because of the diminished chances of an outbreak.
CDC // Unsplash
Vaccines prevent disease. A vaccine contains the same germ that makes people sick, but it is rendered harmless: Either it’s killed or weakened to the point it does not cause illness. When the vaccine is injected into the body, the immune system responds by making antibodies, leading to the same immunity a person would have if they’d become sick and recovered. When enough people are immune, this protects whole populations because of the diminished chances of an outbreak.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
The common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat that causes various symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, headaches, cough, and low fever. Many viruses can lead to the common cold, and most healthy people recover from a cold in six to 10 days.
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
The common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat that causes various symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, headaches, cough, and low fever. Many viruses can lead to the common cold, and most healthy people recover from a cold in six to 10 days.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Pixabay
The term coronavirus defines a “family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The novel coronavirus [most] recently discovered has been named SARS-CoV-2 and it causes COVID-19.” Coronaviruses are not the flu.
Pixabay
The term coronavirus defines a “family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The novel coronavirus [most] recently discovered has been named SARS-CoV-2 and it causes COVID-19.” Coronaviruses are not the flu.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Jarun Ontakrai // Shutterstock
The novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 is known as SARS-CoV-2. Although this new disease may have certain similar symptoms to seasonal flu, It is from a completely different family of virus, and its particular set of traits make it highly contagious and far deadlier. The Centers for Disease Control has an information sheet to help people decide if they might have the new coronavirus, and what to do if they are sick.
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Jarun Ontakrai // Shutterstock
The novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 is known as SARS-CoV-2. Although this new disease may have certain similar symptoms to seasonal flu, It is from a completely different family of virus, and its particular set of traits make it highly contagious and far deadlier. The Centers for Disease Control has an information sheet to help people decide if they might have the new coronavirus, and what to do if they are sick.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Gargonia // Shutterstock
Isolation separates those who have a disease from those who don’t, or who are not known to be sick. The public has been guided on isolating at home during the pandemic if they or their family members have symptoms. The CDC fact sheet also provides guidance on home isolation and what to do once you no longer have symptoms.
Gargonia // Shutterstock
Isolation separates those who have a disease from those who don’t, or who are not known to be sick. The public has been guided on isolating at home during the pandemic if they or their family members have symptoms. The CDC fact sheet also provides guidance on home isolation and what to do once you no longer have symptoms.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Jordan Hopkins // Unsplash
Social distancing is when people stay away from each other, avoid all crowds, and cancel large and small events and gatherings. Social distancing effectively keeps this virus from spreading between people, and thus saves lives—particularly in the current pandemic because of its extreme contagion and high fatality rate. Distancing has included closing schools, working remotely, staying at least 6 feet apart from other people, and connecting with loved ones using online platforms, phones, and social media.
Jordan Hopkins // Unsplash
Social distancing is when people stay away from each other, avoid all crowds, and cancel large and small events and gatherings. Social distancing effectively keeps this virus from spreading between people, and thus saves lives—particularly in the current pandemic because of its extreme contagion and high fatality rate. Distancing has included closing schools, working remotely, staying at least 6 feet apart from other people, and connecting with loved ones using online platforms, phones, and social media.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Mongkolchon Akesin // Shutterstock
If people have been exposed to someone with the contagious disease, quarantine separates and restricts their movement to see if they get sick. Quarantine helps ensure that if someone is already exposed, that they stay away from others. People can shed the infectious virus and infect others without knowing they’re contagious.
Mongkolchon Akesin // Shutterstock
If people have been exposed to someone with the contagious disease, quarantine separates and restricts their movement to see if they get sick. Quarantine helps ensure that if someone is already exposed, that they stay away from others. People can shed the infectious virus and infect others without knowing they’re contagious.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
rawf8 // Shutterstock
“Flattening the curve” is a key way to save many, many lives by slowing the exponential spread of the disease. This allows time for health-care workers, hospitals, and related systems to help infected people, without becoming overwhelmed by exponentially rising numbers of seriously ill patients. It is very effective, may last from weeks to months, and could save tens of thousands of lives.
rawf8 // Shutterstock
“Flattening the curve” is a key way to save many, many lives by slowing the exponential spread of the disease. This allows time for health-care workers, hospitals, and related systems to help infected people, without becoming overwhelmed by exponentially rising numbers of seriously ill patients. It is very effective, may last from weeks to months, and could save tens of thousands of lives.
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Coronavirus spreads in deer and other animals. Scientists worry about what that means for people
Yeexin Richelle // Shutterstock
Yeexin Richelle // Shutterstock
