Everything you need to know about - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Table of Contents

Everyone around there is talking about this serious and rapidly evolving disease. So, without any further delay let’s see what we all must know about this much serious outbreak.

What are Coronaviruses?

Coronavirus (CoV) is a large group of RNA viruses that are responsible for causing several issues ranging from the common cold, respiratory infection to many other severe outbreaks such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). These coronaviruses affect the respiratory system of all the mammals including humans.

Among 15-30 percent of the common cold in humans is caused by Coronaviruses.

A new strain that has been recently discovered in Wuhan, China in Dec 2019. This strain have an official name announced by World Health Organization ( WHO ) as Corona Virus disease – COVID-19, caused by the virus- “severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2” (SARS-CoV-2).

The fact that, it is transferable between human to human and causing serious health complications.

There are still many coronaviruses that do not affect humans but are present in animals.

Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19 ?

As per WHO, the early symptoms of COVID-19 include cold, cough, fatigue, breathing difficulties, sore throat and exacerbated asthma.

However, these symptoms vary from person to person and in some severe cases, it can even lead to pneumonia, SARS , High Temperature , Breathing difficulty etc.,

What should you do to protect yourself from Coronavirus?

As there is no proper cure for this disease, so the best that can be done from our end is taking care of yourself and all your health needs. The best you can do from your end is:

Washing your hands now and then properly at least 20-30 seconds, using water and soap or any alcohol-based hand rub / sanitiser gel. Doing this removes the viruses present on hands.
Practice regular hygiene by maintaining a healthy habit of covering your nose using a disposable tissue while coughing and sneezing to prevent the spread of germs. Also, dispose of this tissue immediately after use and then wash your hands properly using water and soap or any alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid consumption of raw or under cooked animal protein.
Maintain a distance of at least a meter from people who are coughing or sneezing. If you are too close to a person with Cov then you may inhale the gems as well.
Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth. Your hands touch many places that could contain gems and if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands then you may probably transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.
Last, not the least seek medical care immediately if you face any of the above-mentioned symptoms.

Myths Regarding Coronavirus / COVID-19

There are some myths regarding the coronavirus that must be burst and have a clear vision about the disease.

Pets are also responsible for the spread the nCov – Currently, there is no such information that having pets at home spread nCov. However, as a matter of personal hygiene always wash your hands after contact with pets.
The vaccine used for the treatment of Pneumonia such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine also helps in protection against the new coronavirus – This is a big myth since coronavirus is very much different and it needs its vaccine.
Using mouthwash provides protection from infection against the new coronavirus – There is no evidence that in any way it may be helpful.
Eating garlic helps in the treatment of coronavirus – Yes, garlic has anti-microbial properties but in the case of coronavirus, it does not help in any way.
Sesame oil provides protection from the new coronavirus – Sesame oil in any way does not help in blocking coronavirus from entering into your body.
Coronavirus affects older people – People of every age group are equally susceptible to coronavirus.
Antibiotics are helpful in the treatment of coronavirus – No antibiotics work against viruses.

The Extent of the Disease Spread

So far, Over 3 Lakhs COVID-19 cases detected world wide.

The outbreak has also reached many countries, in almost all continents. The majority of cases outside China are among people who recently traveled to China , Europe or any effected regions.

Coronavirus and Global Health Emergency

On 30th January, Coronavirus outbreak has been declared as a Global Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organization.

Once the first few cases of human-to-human transmission outside China were confirmed then the alarm about the spread of this disease spread outrageously.

Since 2005, there have been five global public health emergencies: