Coronavirus: Things that you should know about it
With the passing time, CoV or Coronavirus, threat is grabbing the attention of the whole world. The virus has infected over 250,000 and caused 10000 deaths globally.
Before things deteriorate, it’s time to know a few important things about the virus.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a type of virus that can cause severe respiratory illness. It is a member of the family of viruses, including the common cold and the flu. The coronavirus is spread through contact with an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus, or blood.
It can also be spread through contact with objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus. The virus can cause severe respiratory illness, including pneumonia, and can be fatal.
Some common human Coronaviruses include HKU1, OC43, NL63 and 229E, causing mild to moderate respiratory problems like the common cold. Novel Coronavirus is a new strain that has been identified recently, and it’s the cause of respiratory illness outbreaks originating from Wuhan, China.
Symptoms of Coronavirus Infection
Symptoms of Novel Coronaviruses are similar to other upper respiratory infections. Generally, it’s tough to know whether the patient is affected by common cold-causing viruses or Coronavirus. Some of its symptoms are:
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Fever
- Feeling unwell
In severe cases, the infection may cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, pneumonia and kidney failure.
Transmission
Coronaviruses are viruses common in different species of animals, such as cattle, bats, cats, and camels. Rarely can animal coronaviruses infect humans and spread between individuals.
As person-to-person spread occurs, it’s believed to be happening because of respiratory droplets produced from an infected person while sneezing or coughing. This virus’s spread generally occurs when there are close contacts.
Diagnosis
The healthcare provider will order tests on serum and respiratory specimens to detect COVID. Laboratory testing is likely to be used in cases of severe disease.
If you face similar symptoms, you must tell the healthcare provider about your recent contact with animals or travel. Reporting your travel history or instance of contact with animal products or animal is important while diagnosing CoV cases.
Prevention & Treatment
The worst thing about this virus is that there is no vaccine yet to control infection. The best possible way is to prevent infection, so avoid getting exposed to this virus. However, health experts believe everyday hygiene can help you prevent the virus. Some common habits are:
- Always wash your hands with medically approved soap and water. If you don’t have access to water or soap, use an alcohol-based sanitiser that contains a minimum of 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you’re unwell or sick.
- Try to avoid coming into close contact with people who are sick.
- Always try to cover your sneeze or cough with tissue and dump the tissue properly.
- Keep frequently touched surfaces and objects clean and disinfected regularly.
- If you have travelled from or to a country already affected by the coronavirus, go to the quarantine centre for 14 days.
Medical experts suggest treating coronavirus infection is similar to the way you treat the common cold, such as:
- Drink fluids regularly
- Get plenty of rest
- Get immediate medical attention and conduct tests as directed by the physician.
- Maintain social distancing:
The best way to avoid coronavirus is to maintain social distancing. This means keeping a distance of at least 1 metre from people who are not from your household.
- Wash your hands regularly:
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This will help to remove any viruses that may be on your hands.
- Avoid touching your face:
Touching your face can help to spread the virus if you have it on your hands. Try to avoid doing this as much as possible.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes:
If you do need to cough or sneeze, make sure you do so into a tissue or your elbow. This will help to stop the spread of the virus.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces:
Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door handles, tables and phones. This will help to remove any viruses that may be on these surfaces.
- Stay at home if you’re feeling unwell:
If you’re feeling unwell, particularly if you have a fever or a cough, it’s important that you stay at home. This will help to stop the spread of the virus.
