TY - JOUR T1 - Cytokine storm and the prospects for immunotherapy with COVID-19 JF - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine JO - Cleve Clin J Med DO - 10.3949/ccjm.87a.ccc008 SP - ccc008 AU - Leonard H. Calabrese Y1 - 2020/05/11 UR - http://www.ccjm.org/content/early/2020/05/06/ccjm.87a.ccc008.abstract N2 - Knowledge about the pathobiology of SARS-COV-2 as it interacts with immune defenses is limited. SARS-COV-2 is spread by droplets that come into contact with mucous membranes. COVID-19 is characterized by 3 stages: asymptomatic-paucisymptomatic incubation, nonsevere symptomatic illness for 80% of those infected, and severe respiratory illness. A syndrome characterized by hypercytokinemic inflammation referred to as a “cytokine storm” can occur in patients with advanced disease. Effective antiviral agents that can prevent viral infection in exposed individuals are needed. ER -