What is COVID-19? 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.
Symptoms of COVID-19?
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
DRY COUGH
SORE THROAT
TIREDNESS
BREATHLESSNESS
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.
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.
Infection of COVID-19?
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 in 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.
Countries, including India, have taken all necessary actions to ensure that the nation is well-equipped to face the challenge posed by Covid-19. Precaution advisory against this growing contagion and the exemplary groundwork has helped in reducing the impact of the virus in many areas. However, vaccination will provide a solution by enhancing immunity and containing the disease spread.
Prevention
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: