It was reported in December 2020 by the news media that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus has been discovered. Subsequently, other variants have also been found and investigated. Concerns have been raised about the new variants, such as whether they will make people sicker. Will the COVID-19 vaccines be effective in the future? Is there anything you should do uniquely or differently now to ensure your safety? This book discusses what is known about these new variants, as well as any concerns or questions you may have about them. You will find out more about: What COVID-19 variants are all about The causes of new variants Omicron variant Other coronavirus mutations Earlier coronavirus variants Resources to combat COVID-19 So, what are you holding out for? Get your copy right away.

As viruses spread, small errors - called mutations - arise in the genetic material during replication. Many of these mutations are repaired or die off as the virus continues to move through a population. Mutations that enhance the virus's ability to replicate, transmit, or survive in a host allow the virus to spread more quickly through a population, or become more resistant to immune system defenses, thereby increasing the mutations' prevalence and creating a new strain of the virus. The purpose of this book is to discuss how variants develop, how researchers identify and sequence variants, and how this information can be utilized by public health officials, government agencies, and medical practitioners to make decisions. The book examines the ways the government can better coordinate its approach to best serve the American people through this pandemic and beyond.

People live in a sea of viruses. All creatures are host to these small organisms, which are made up of small bits of genetic information. Viruses are possessed by a drive to survive, but in order to reproduce they must invade a living cell. Dr. William A. Haseltine, PhD, has spent a lifetime studying viruses and their ability to adapt and flourish within an ever-changing environment. In Variants! The Shape-Shifting Challenge of COVID-19, Dr. Haseltine turns his focus to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The variant forms of this coronavirus risk an even greater disruption to our lives, our economy, and the health and wellbeing of hundreds of billions worldwide. Variants! is a collection of Dr. Haseltine's writings and research on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 mutations and variants. The book is a Living eBook, updated regularly with new information as it unfolds. When a reader purchases a copy of the book, either in print or online, they will receive a special passcode that will give them online access to every subsequent edition of the book, as it is released.

In this difficult period of the SARS-CoV-2 (and its variants) infection responsible for Covid-19 diseases, the importance of scientific works and reviews dealing with these viruses has never been more essential and vital. Reports as of 20th April 2021 indicate over 141 million cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection worldwide (with over 3 million deaths recorded). This volume brings together essential data regarding prevention (vaccination), detection, and various approaches (chemotherapeutic drugs and antibodies) to the potential treatment of coronavirus infections. It presents six chapters concerning the following topics: (1) the resistance to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and related Covid-19 diseases within a population based on the pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result infection or previous vaccination (2) the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region, comprising the Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Afghanistan (3) the effect of candidate drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine on QT interval in infected patients with Covid-19 diseases (4) the antiviral potential of herbal-based immunomodulators (5) the humoral immune response in humans based on anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to treat Covid-19 diseases (6) the various methods and strategies for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 (and its variants) infection in hosts/humans. This compilation should prove to be a tool of crucial importance for researchers around the world working on research revolving around coronaviruses, as well as for clinicians confronted by a growing number of patients with COVID-19. [Series Introduction] Coronaviruses presents compilations of reviews which present information about coronaviridae. Volumes in the series present interesting data on the virology, molecular biology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of these viruses. Current topics such as SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 epidemiology, economic impact of COVID-19, and new coronavirus variants are also included. The series should prove to be an essential resource on this group of viruses for multidisciplinary researchers and healthcare professionals alike.

Everything you need to know about the disease, the pandemic, and the future of COVID-19 COVID-19 For Dummies gives you reliable, up-to-date information on what COVID-19 is, how it spreads, how it can be treated, and how to manage long COVID. What is a coronavirus? What is a variant? What should we be doing to protect ourselves and our families from COVID-19 infection? This jargon-free guide answers all your basic questions. You’ll also learn the fundamentals of immunology, how vaccines work, and the types of vaccines used for COVID, as well as what we can do to protect ourselves from this ongoing spread. Expert author Edward K. Chapnick explains who is at the greatest risk and what treatments are available, so you can be confident that you have the knowledge you need to stay safe and healthy. Gain the knowledge to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 Understand what vaccines are used for COVID and how they work Learn how to recognize and manage the symptoms of long COVID Discover how viruses spread, mutate, and cause illness Be informed about which treatments work—and which do not COVID-19 For Dummies is a quick crash course for people with COVID-19 and long COVID who want to learn more about how to treat and manage their symptoms. Anyone who wants to know more about this new disease—without wading through all the misinformation—will appreciate this trustworthy Dummies guide.

While the study of viral evolution has developed rapidly in the last 30 years, little attention has been directed toward linking the mechanisms of viral evolution to the epidemiological outcomes of these processes. This book intends to fill this gap by considering the patterns and processes of viral evolution at all its spatial and temporal scales.

This book presents a comprehensive account of the COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the novel coronavirus pandemic, as it happened. This volume examines the first responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contexts of earlier epidemics and the epidemiological basics of infectious diseases. Further, it discusses patterns in the spread of the disease; the management and containment of infections at the personal, national, and global level; effects on trade and commerce; the social and psychological impact on people; the disruption and postponement of international events; the role of various international organizations like the WHO in the search for solutions; and the race for a vaccine or a cure. Based on new data and latest developments, the second edition of this volume explores the global spread of COVID-19 since 2019 and examines the emergence of the evolving coronavirus variants (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron). Further, it extensively discusses what we have since discovered on the disease, along with recent progress on treatments and vaccines. Authored by a medical professional and an economist working on the frontlines, this book gives a nuanced, verified and fact-checked analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic and its global response. A one-stop resource on the COVID-19 outbreak, it is indispensable for every reader and a holistic work for scholars and researchers of medical sociology, public health, political economy, public policy and governance, sociology of health and medicine, and paramedical and medical practitioners. It will also be a great resource for policymakers, government departments and civil society organizations working in the area.