Fig. 1.

The illustration of escalating phases of COVID-19 disease progression, with associated signs and symptoms from the onset to recovery or death. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) can be classified into three stages of increasing severity: early infection, pulmonary phase, and hyperinflammation phase. The first phase is related to the onset of the disease and is generally characterized by the development of influenza-like symptoms from mild to moderate. Some individuals recover and some progress to the second phase. In phase 2, it is possible to detect pneumonia-like symptoms evidenced as lung opacities. Phase 3 is characterized by hyperinflammation and sepsis of lungs and patient often requires ICU and most of them, unfortunately, cannot overcome the infection and eventually die. SARS-CoV-2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; ICU, intensive care unit; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; CRP, C-reactive protein.