What is a corona virus?
Coronaviruses are the family of viruses, which are the new outbreak, can attack human beings of irrespective age groups. The coronavirus causes respiratory infections. These viral infections can range from the common cold to severe respiratory problems viz. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19, which has no treatment and no vaccine now. Its symptoms are mild and initially begin gradually. About 80% recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the most dreaded and communicable disease, which is caused by a recently discovered virus called coronavirus. Recently, it has engulfed maximum countries of the world with thousands of death and lakhs of infected positive patients. The virus is more common and rampant, especially in the developed countries viz. Spain, Italy, UK, USA, Germany, France, etc. This new virus and disease were unknown before its outbreak in Wuhan, China, in the month of December 2019.
COVID-19 symptoms
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Breathlessness/Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- Aches and pains
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
How does COVID-19 spread?
- COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets while an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Touching of the infected surfaces followed by touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
- People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from the infected person.
- Shaking hands.
COVID-19 risk
- Older people who have high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, lung diseases, cancer, are more prone to this disease.
COVID-19 protection and prevention
- Maintain at least a 1-meter distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash thoroughly from time to time.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Respiratory hygiene is of utmost importance.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely).
- Avoid traveling to COVID-19 hotspots
- Locks down, Locks down, Locks down
- Avoid touching hands or shaking hands. Instead to Namaste
COVID-19 treatment
- PREVENTION is the only and only measure to protect oneself.
- Antibiotics do not work against the coronaviruses.
- There is no as such evidences that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease.
- No vaccine or drug is effective now for the coronavirus.
COVID-19 Vs SARS
- The virus that COVID-19 and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are related to each other genetically, but the diseases they cause are quite different.
- SARS was more deadly but much less infectious than COVID-19.
COVID-19 incubation period
The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and the beginning of showing the symptoms of the disease. Its incubation period range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. However, more research needs to be done on it.
How long does the virus survive on surfaces?
It is not certain how long the virus of COVID-19 survives on surfaces. Studies suggest that coronaviruses may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. However, its survival varies from place to place e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment, etc.
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question: Can COVID-19 virus be transmitted through the air?
Answer: COVID-19 is generally transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. But it can happen through an infected person sneezing or coughing.
Question: Can COVID-19 virus be transmitted from a person who has no symptoms?
Answer: The risk of catching COVID-19 from a person with no symptoms at all is very low.
Question: Can the COVID-19 virus be transmitted from the feces of someone with the disease?
Answer: The risk appears below. However, utmost precautions should be taken to clean hands regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.
Question: How likely am I to catch COVID-19?
Answer: It depends whether you are in the COVID-19 outbreak area. For most people in most locations, the risk of catching COVID-19 is still low. Wherever COVID-19 is spreading fast, living in, or visiting, these areas lead to the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher.
Question: Should I worry about COVID-19?
Answer: COVID-19 is a dreaded and infectious disease. One in every 5 people who catch it needs hospital care, especially the older people. Its infection is mild in the case of children and young adults, even though precautions should be taken at all levels. Because of its seriousness, worry is quite normal.
Question: Should I wear mask to protect myself
Answer: Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms or taking care of someone who may have COVID-19 or having symptoms like breathlessness, high fever, dry cough, and sneezing.