-It’s not a war; It’s a lesson of life
Yes! It’s a life-lesson that Novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is teaching us. War brings hatred, destruction, violence, but the outbreak of this virus has taught us to rediscover the values of fraternity, nature, solidarity and neighbourliness. In this content, you will get to know all about this virus that how it has impacted the human race so far.
What is New Coronavirus or COVID-19?
Coronavirus or COVID-19 is a large family of viruses that cause illness in animals and humans. If you caught this virus, you might get to see the symptoms like respiratory infections that range from the common cold to other severe diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The most recent outbreak is coronavirus disease COVID-19, with which, people experience mild to moderate respiratory illness, and they can be recovered easily without requiring special coronavirus treatment. This disease is deadly for older people suffering from diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease or cardiovascular disease.
Is it the Same as SARS?
No! The virus that causes COVID-19 once caused an outbreak of SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003. Both of the outbreaks are related to each other genetically, but the disease that they cause are quite different from each other.
How Did the New Coronavirus Spread to Human?
COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, a city of China in December 2019. Although the health officials are tracing the exact source of new coronavirus, initial findings indicate that it is spread from the seafood market in Wuhan, China. People who have visited the market suffered from viral pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus. In Jan 25, 2020, there comes a study that claims that the individuals who developed the disease first had no link to the seafood market. So, the investigation is going on how the virus has originated and spread.
How Does the Coronavirus Diseases Spread?
Since COVID-19 or coronavirus is a respiratory virus, it primarily spreads through the droplets generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The discharge from the nose or droplets of saliva can make the other people in close contact infected. Most people ask if the coronavirus disease is spread through air or not. The fact is the droplets from an infected person are too heavy to hang in the air, and it quickly falls on the floors or surfaces. If someone touches the contaminated surface and then touch the nose, eyes or mouth before washing, it may infect that person. It is not certain how long COVID-19 survives on the surface, but it behaves like other coronaviruses, and it may persist on the surfaces for a few hours or up to several days.
How to Avoid Getting Infected?
Since there is no proven vaccination or medicine have discovered so far according to coronavirus treatment updates, health care experts recommend to protect yourself and others from the infection by washing your hands with an alcohol-based solution and avoid touching your face. You can get infected from the virus is you are within 1 meter of a person who has COVID-19. So, social distancing is another preventive measure to fight against this outbreak. So, here are a few things you need to do -
- Avoid large events and mass gatherings.
- Avoid close contact with people having sickness or symptoms of this deadly diseases within 6 feet or 2 meters.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, you can use sanitizer that must contain at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you touch on a daily basis.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Remember to use the tissue for once and throw it away afterwards.
What is the Incubation Period of COVID-19?
Incubation period means the time taken between getting infected and appearing the symptoms of the disease. According to health care experts, the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days and most commonly it is happening for 5 days. The estimates have been ascertained by the data updated on COVID-19 victims.
What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?
For different people, COVID-19 affect differently, and the effects can vary from mild to severe, which may include the fever, cough, shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear from 2-14 days after the getting infected.
How COVID-19 is Diagnosed?
It is quite difficult to diagnose the COVID-19 only with the physical examination since it appears similar to the cold or flu. A laboratory test is done on the suspected victim’s sample to get accurate information.
How Deadly is the COVID-19?
As of 13th April 2020, 115269 deaths have been registered. Though 434054 people have recovered and there are still 1866654 cases that are active as per latest coronavirus updates throughout the world. This information has been collected from https://www.covid19world.org/
What to Do If I See the Symptoms of COVID-19?
If you find the symptoms of COVID-19 appearing in you, you must contact your doctor for medical advice. If you feel the need to go to the hospital, then call ahead, so that the health care practitioners can prepare things in advance to prevent anyone from getting infected. Here are the following precautions to take if you get ill will with COVID-19 -
- Stay at home and avoid getting outside for school, work or any public area.
- Avoid public transport for travelling.
- Wear a mask while growing through a crowded area.
- Isolate yourself as much as you can from others in your home.
- If possible, use a separate bathroom and bedroom.
- Avoid sharing bedding, glasses, dishes and other household items.
Most people who fought against COVID-19 have recovered from the disease. Catching the new coronavirus disease doesn’t mean that you will lose your life eventually. If you or someone known to you catch the disease, treat the symptoms as soon as they appear. Most patients have been recovered with supportive care.
If you are planning to travel, it is recommended to check the for the travel advisories and talk to the doctor as well to know if you have any such health condition that is susceptible to respiratory complications or infections. Hope you liked this blog by Viral Anchor. Stay tuned to get more such updates!
