Coronavirus

The outbreak of coronavirus in early January 2020, has set a red alert alarm among many nations. The main concern was raised as it was a newly identified virus which made us clueless about how it can affect people. But fortunately, with ongoing investigations, the global experts have collated everything about the mystery virus in order to prevent it from being spread.

Here are the most important points you need to know about the coronavirus, to reduce your risk of getting infected.

Symptoms of Coronavirus

Coronavirus is a type of virus that affects the upper respiratory tract. Hence, coronavirus symptoms are similar to that of a common cold or flu. The symptoms usually begin to appear in two to four days after being infected by the coronavirus, these include:

Runny nose
Cough
Sore throat
Sneezing
Fatigue
Fever, in some cases
Chills
Muscle or body pains
Headache
Loss of taste or smell
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

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Diagnosis of Coronavirus

The diagnosis of coronavirus usually includes blood tests and evaluation of respiratory specimens. When one complains about experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, the doctor may evaluate the recent travel history or any contact with the animals.

Transmission of Coronavirus

It is believed that coronavirus is usually transmitted by the respiratory fluids of an infected person. It can be spread in the following ways:

The virus can spread in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes without covering the mouth
The virus can spread through physical contact when touching or shaking hands with an infected person
Coming into contact with an object or surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
In rare cases, the virus may spread through fecal contamination

Treatment for Coronavirus

Currently, there is no specific treatment against coronavirus. But, most people infected by coronavirus will recover on their own in a few days. Besides, we can follow some tips which can help us to relieve the symptoms. These include:

Getting plenty of rest
Staying hydrated
Using a room humidifier or taking a hot shower that may help with a sore throat and nasal congestion
Taking pain and fever medications as per doctor’s advice

In recent times, Hydroxychloroquine or HCQ tablets have gained popularity as a coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment, which still needs to be clinically proven.

Know more about Hydroxychloroquine - During COVID-19 (Under Study)

Prevention of Coronavirus

While there are currently no vaccines to protect against coronavirus and it is still unclear how to reduce the risk of infection, it is always better to follow the standard precautionary measures to stay protected. Check out the precautionary measures to stay away from the coronavirus.

Precautionary Measures to Stay Protected

Wash your hands frequently with soap or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth unless you wash your hands properly
Avoid being in crowded places and stay away from people who are sick

How to protect others from getting infected

Stay home when you are sick
Avoid close or direct contact with others
Practice cough etiquette
Disinfect the objects and surfaces around you
Wear surgical masks to minimize the transmission of the virus through the air
Try to avoid consuming meat

To conclude, people infected by coronavirus can recover on their own in a few days by following the above-mentioned options. However, if the symptoms persist for more than two weeks, seek medical attention immediately. Also, take the suggested preventive measures in order to prevent infection from getting worse and protect others from being infected as well.

Who is at a higher risk for coronavirus?

Though everyone is at risk of getting infected by coronavirus, people with existing and underlying health conditions are at higher risk to develop serious symptoms.

The risk of developing severe symptoms of coronavirus may be higher in,

Older adults
Heart patient with coronavirus, to know how heart patients are at a greater risk of coronavirus
Patients with Lung problems
People with weakened immune systems
Persons who are obese
Diabetic patients
People with respiratory issues such as influenza

Disclaimer - The above information is subjected to change as and when newer recent information is received.

Citations

Another Decade, Another Coronavirus , https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2001126

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Perspective from China,

A distinct name is needed for the new coronavirus, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7124603/

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which are the first symptoms of the coronavirus disease?

The virus can cause a variety of symptoms, from mild to severe. Symptoms of the coronavirus are fever, cough, sore throat, and headaches. In severe cases, shortness of breath and death can occur.

2. What happens when you get the coronavirus disease?

When you have coronavirus, you can have a variety of signs and symptoms, from mild to severe. In some, there are no signs or symptoms of coronavirus. In severe cases, shortness of breath and death can occur

3. Does drinking lots of water help flush out COVID-19?

There is no evidence that drinking a lot of water eliminates the coronavirus. However, for good health, it is recommended to drink plenty of water on a daily basis.

4. Is headache a symptom of the coronavirus disease?

Headache is not a common symptom of coronavirus. According to the report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 14% of people who are infected are experiencing headaches.

5. What is the recovery time for the coronavirus disease?

A recent study states that it might take 2 weeks for mild illness and 5-6 weeks for severe or critical cases. And some research showed that recovery differs from person to person, depending on age and overall health.

6. Is there any approved treatment for coronavirus?

No, there is no approved treatment for coronavirus. And there is no specific medicine recommended for preventing or treating the coronavirus.

7. Who is at risk for coronavirus?

Everyone is at risk for coronavirus. A recent study states that a group of people is at high risk of getting severe coronavirus. People who are over 60 years, and Those who are suffering from medical conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer).

8. Can food be contaminated with the virus that causes COVID-19?

There is no proven evidence that food can be contaminated with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The coronavirus can be killed at the same temperatures similar to other known viruses and bacteria found in food.

9. What food should you avoid during COVID-19?

When cooking and preparing food, limit the amount of salt and seasonings that are high in sodium (for example, soya sauce and fish sauce).
Limit your daily salt intake to less than 5 g (about 1 teaspoon) and use only iodized salt. Avoid foods (for example, snacks) that are high in salt and sugar.
Limit your consumption of sodas or soft drinks and other beverages that are high in sugar Choose fresh fruits instead of sweet snacks like cookies, cakes, and chocolate.

10. How dangerous is the coronavirus disease?

Although for most people, COVID-19 only causes mild illness, it can make some people very sick. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. The elderly and those with pre-existing health problems appear to be more vulnerable