Nowadays, everybody in the world is afraid of the deadly virus outburst, called the corona. Coronavirus (CoV) is a respiratory virus identified in humans first which is originated from China first. The infection has spread around the world very rapidly. It is a zoonotic virus that is transmitted between animals & human beings. There are more than 42000 suspected people due to CoV occurred in China. This respiratory virus has spread to more than 35 countries. In Italy, the number of people who tested positive for the illness increased by more than 200 to 650. Other countries except for China & Italy which have the maximum number of infected people with Corona Virus are South Korea & Iran.
Viruses & diseases both are different in their meaning. COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease-19) is a disease that is caused by the virus named Corona Virus. SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is also a disease; which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV, virus. SARS-CoV is like one of the family members of the Corona Virus.
Symptoms of Corona Virus
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after the exposure. If you have been in China within the past few weeks & you are facing a severe respiratory illness; then visit your doctor immediately. It is contagious which can be transmitted through the air. Some studies also have shown that each infected person could spread the virus between 2-3 uninfected people. While some of the specific symptoms which can be-
- Severe Headache
- Fever
- Coughing
- Shaking Chills
- Shortness of Breath
In severe cases, COVID-19 can cause Pneumonia, Kidney Failure & even can cause death. Corona Virus also can cause fever, cough, breathing difficulties, and shortness of breath. In some cases, the majority of people infected with this virus do not have a runny nose or do not show other symptoms. In some recent news, a 20-year-old woman was not showing any symptoms of coronavirus yet she was then detected with Coronavirus. Hence, a checkup with your doctor on a timely basis is necessary.
For those with a weakened immune system, no matter youngsters or elders, there is a chance the virus could cause a lower & much more serious respiratory tract illness.
How does it spread?
The virus spread from human to human
- Through air by coughing & sneezing
- Close personal contact such as shaking hands
- Touching an infected area or surface & then touching your mouth or nose without washing your hands.
- Experts have said that the new coronavirus gets inside your noses, eyes & mouth to infect us. One of the ways this can easily be happened by touching the infected surface & then to your face.
- Another thing is that we touch our phones constantly, and it could be meant to spread the virus.
- Viruses are carried in tiny droplets. It is released when an infected person sneezes.
- The virus can be transmitted from animals. Hence, touching the animals with bare hands can also transmit the disease.
Prevention
- Currently, there is no vaccine is available to prevent corona. But you can reduce the transmission by washing your hands with soap & water; and then cleaning your hands with clean & safe hand sanitizer.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick. Also, avoid contact with animals.
- If you are mildly sick then keep hydrated & take a rest.
- If the same symptoms are showing then visit your doctor.
- Try to hardly touch your face, eyes, noses & mouth. If you want to do so, then clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer first.
- People must stay at least 1 meter away from the infected person.
- Good coughing etiquette can also lower the risk of contracting this disease.
- Clean your hands regularly with a clean & safe hand sanitizer.
- Avoid handshake & use an Indian traditional way of NAMASTE to reduce the risk of spreading this disease.
How to cure this virus contraction?
Currently, there are no medications available to cure this virus. However, we can treat COVID-19 by taking a pain reliever, cough syrup or medications, rest, & fluid intake.
The preparedness for the disease is as much important as curing the disease. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician with Columbia University Medical Center says fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen must be there in your house.
There is a total of 29 infected cases found in India. In Delhi, there is 1 patient, in Agra, there are 6, in Telangana, there is 1 and in Kerala, there are 3 suspected cases found. 15 Italian tourists have been tested positive for the coronavirus in the western desert of Rajasthan in India.
Many countries are making efforts to prevent the coronavirus outbreak; out of which Japan’s government also making a high effort to limit this disease contraction. On 15th Jan 2020, there was the first infected case found in Japan. Since then the government alerted the public about the virus outbreak & took a proactive measure. Since, Jan 30, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arranged a meeting almost every day & gave instructions to relevant ministers & deputies to take proper precautions. The Japanese government has taken bold & timely decisions such as restrictions on large-scale events & the closure of schools. Their government also announced basic policies of the expert analysis of leading infectious disease scientists.
Myths & Facts about CORONA Virus
There are some myths about coronavirus which are as below-
Myth: There are special medicines to prevent coronavirus.
Fact: To date, there are no medicines recommended for prevention or cure the CORONA virus.
Myth: The CORONA virus affects older people.
Fact: People of all ages can be infected. Older people & people with pre-existing medical conditions appear to be more vulnerable.
Myth: Antibiotics are effective in preventing or treating coronavirus.
Fact: Antibiotics do not work against viruses. But, if you are hospitalized for COVID-19 doctors will give you antibiotics along with some other medicines; because bacterial co-infection is possible.
Myth: Eating garlic can help to prevent infection.
Fact: Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no such evidence from the current outbreak that garlic will protect people from the new coronavirus.
Myth: Putting on sesame oil block the coronavirus from entering the body.
Fact: No. Sesame oil does not kill the virus. Some chemical disinfectants such as chlorine-based disinfectant, ethanol & chloroform can help.
