Coronavirus is a large family of viruses, named for the crown-like spikes present on their surface. So far, in humans, several Coronaviruses have been reported to cause respiratory infections ranging from the mild common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
It was a novel Coronavirus (nCoV) strain that caused Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and was first identified and reported during an investigation of an outbreak in Wuhan, China, on December 31st, 2019. COVID-19 causes respiratory illness that can spread from one person to another and is notorious for mutating quickly and acquiring new qualities.
It is very important to understand COVID-19 spread or transmission in order to protect yourselves and others.
The disease can spread from one person to another through small droplets released from nose or mouth when a person infected with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or exhales. These droplets fall on the immediate surfaces and objects around that infected person. Other people can get infected with COVID-19 by coming into contact with these contaminated objects or surfaces, and touching their face.
COVID-19 infection mostly cause mild to moderate respiratory illness and does not require any special treatment. As per World Health Organization (WHO), the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days.
FEVER
(Body temperature more than 100.4°F/38°C)
DRY COUGH
SORE THROAT
BREATHLESSNESS
(Difficulty in breathing)
TIREDNESS
Some patients may also experience body aches, nasal congestion, runny nose or diarrhea. Invasive pneumonic infiltrates in both lungs can be seen in Chest X-ray.
Please note that above mentioned symptoms can also be common for other respiratory infections, therefore, travel history to affected geographical area is the most important diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 infection.
About 80% of COVID-19 patients recover without requiring special treatments. It is also observed that some infected people do not show any symptoms i.e., they can be asymptomatic.
Around 1 out of every 6 individuals who get COVID-19, become seriously ill and develop breathlessness (difficulty breathing). It is mostly observed in patients with certain underlying conditions, such as:
Note: Those who experience fever, cough and difficulty in breathing should immediately seek medical advice, and must follow self-isolation to avoid the spread of infections to others.
The best practice to avoid the COVID-19 infection is to be well informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.
Few steps that must be followed religiously are:
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds), or clean them with alcohol-based hand sanitizers
Maintain at least 1 meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing (Physical distancing)
Say yes to Namaste and No to handshakes
Avoid touching your face
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow or in tissue paper; discard the used tissue paper in a closed dustbin)
Stay home if you feel unwell
Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs
Avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from crowds
No treatment yet.
As per WHO, till date, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment to prevent or treat COVID-19.
However, those affected should receive supportive care to provide symptomatic relief. People with serious illness should be hospitalized.
Please Note: World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend self-medication with any medicine, including antibiotics, as a prevention or treatment for COVID-19.
Stay tuned with WHO, for updated information.