Are you aware of the term Coronavirus? Recently, have you heard about this medication condition, which is spreading rapidly all around the world? I hope, you’ve definitely heard about the coronavirus, a new strain of viruses that have spread across China and other areas of the world. Each news channel is informing people about Coronavirus every day. We see a daily list of Coronavirus affected countries and casualties. Since Wednesday, 93,400 individuals in more than 60 countries have been infected with the virus. The WHO declared a global health emergency due to the spread of the coronavirus.
The virus has the ability to kill a person, particularly marginalized people, such as the aged and people the underlying health conditions. We don’t know much about it, because it was discovered only a few weeks ago. China is the origin of this disease. Respiratory droplets can spread while someone who is diagnosed with the virus is coughing or sneezing. The infectious existence of the virus is unknown. In medical terms, coronavirus has given a name – COVID-19. Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that cause diseases in humans and animals, including camels, cat and bats. Animal coronaviruses can infect people exposed to infected animals and spread among other people.
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses spanning from the common cold to coronavirus MERS which is which is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and SARs, Severe acute respiratory syndrome. Coronaviruses occur in animals and some of them have the ability to transmit between animals and humans. It is what we consider a spillover event. COVID-19 can transfer from person to person. In Wuhan, China, in December 2019 COVID-19 appeared. Although the exact source of this latest coronavirus is still investigated by public health officials. It was originally assumed to have been connected with a seafood industry in Wuhan, China.
Symptoms of Coronavirus
The symptoms of Coronavirus range from mild to severe. It takes 4-15 days to develop the symptoms after exposure of coronavirus. The infected person may experience symptoms like –
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Exacerbated asthma
Prevention from coronavirus – Activity to avoid in order to stay safe from coronavirus
There is no vaccine that can protect you against coronavirus, so you have to prevent yourself by following multiple ways, like –
- Avoid contact with infected people
- Avoid meeting people in large groups
- Do not cough or sneeze on your hands, use tissue or handkerchief to cover your face while coughing and sneezing.
- Wash your hands often with liquid hand-wash and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand-sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol
- Do not touch your face, eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid travelling to public places like markets, metro, malls, etc.
- Stay home when you are sick
- Avoid touching objects in public places
- Wear N95 facemask while going out of your home
- Keep your room temperature high
- Wear gloves, if possible
- Wear clean clothes
- Avoid sharing household items with coronavirus patient
The biggest risk is travelling to China or area of Eastern Asia. No matter how important is your foreign meeting, avoid it! We recommend you to not leave your country to visit any other places, as it can be a threat to your health. If it is possible, then stay at your home as long as you can.
Foods to avoid in order to stay safe from coronavirus
Scientists are still finding the way how COVID-19 is transmitted, but we know that the disease can spread through nose and mouth droplets, which release when someone sneezes or coughs. Disease-transmission is possible when someone inhales these droplets. It is confirmed that the coronavirus started in fish markets of Wuhan, China. So, it is possible that eating seafood may cause coronavirus. Several claims have also claimed rise to the fact that coronavirus is spreading through bat and snake meat, which can be true. Coronavirus has come into humans through animals. However, these are not proven facts, but if you could avoid them, then it would be safe for your health.
People having a weak immune system, young children, people aged 65 years or older, women who are pregnant are at higher risk of coronavirus and they may experience severe symptoms like pneumonia, kidney failure or bronchitis. If you’ve been closed to the person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, then you must get it checked.
What if you are coronavirus infected?
Coronavirus is spreading rapidly in countries like South Korea, Italy, Iran and China. There are different types of coronaviruses. Physicians now know 7 types of coronavirus that can infect people. The most common of them are –
- 229E (alpha coronavirus)
- NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
- OC43 (beta coronavirus)
- HKU1 (beta coronavirus)
There is no cure for coronavirus, so treatments include over-the-counter (OTC) medication and self-care. If you are diagnosed with coronavirus, then you need to take several steps including –
- Taking proper rest and avoid overexertion
- Drink clean water frequently
- Avoid smoking
- Stay in an isolated place
- Do not touch or get in contact with anyone
- Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer in your room
- Visit your healthcare provider
- Admit to the hospital
How coronavirus is diagnosed?
You need to call your family doctor promptly if you think you have COVID-19. Your doctor may conduct tests to eliminate certain serious infections and diagnose your condition. You can recommend self-isolation in some situations to avoid infection spread.
Do not panic!
Sometimes people feel tensed with they hear something like this. Avoid misconceptions and rumours about coronavirus. If you find yourself overwhelmed with your fear and are struggling to control them, then you need the support of your healthcare provider. Mental fear impacts your home as well as your work life. Be helped either by a healthcare professional instead of trying to deal with this all alone. Stay safe coz prevention is better than cure!