COVID-19 also known as CoronaVirus Disease is a type of disease caused by common infection in the nose and upper throat. The common symptoms that cause COVID-19 are fever, cough and breathing difficulty.
In early 2020, after the 2019 epidemic in China, the WHO (World Health Organisation) identified SARS-CoV-2 as a new type of CoronaVirus. And this storm quickly spread around the world. However, researchers first identified CoronaVirus in 1937, isolating one that was responsible for a type of bronchitis in birds. And later, the scientists found evidence of human CoronaVirus in the 1960s that caused it in the nose with a common cold.
Therefore, COVID-19 is a disease which is caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can aim respiratory tract infection. Moreover, it affects the upper respiratory tract like nose, sinuses and throat. Similarly, the lower respiratory tract such as windpipes and lungs. However, COVID-19 is one of seven types of CoronaVirus including the ones that cause severe diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 spreads the same way as other viruses do, mainly through person-to-person contact. As a result, infections range from mild to deadly. This CoronaVirus has been responsible for millions of infections around the world causing hundreds and thousands of deaths.
How does COVID-19 Spread?
COVID-19 mainly spreads by droplets due to cough or sneeze produced by the sick person.
Direct Contact
Close contact with COVID-19 patients especially if they do not cover their face while coughing and sneezing. Because the droplets can spread as far as 6 feet away. As a result, if you breathe them in, the virus can get into the body.
Indirect Contact
The droplets from coughing survive on clothes and surfaces for many days. Therefore, you can get the virus by touching the object or surface and then touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
Also a study shows that virus can last for several hours on different types of surfaces like
- Copper – 4 Hours
- Cardboard – Approximately 24 Hours
- Stainless steel or Plastic – 2 to 3 Days
Physical Symptoms of COVID-19
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease control and Prevention) people may start to experience symptoms 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. And the symptoms may include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Difficulty in breathing i.e., Trouble or shortness of breathing
- Headache
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Loss of Taste or smell
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Chills
- Diarrhea
Hence, this COVID-19 compilations may lead to respiratory failure, pneumonia, and death. As a result, these compilations may be caused by the condition known as cytokine syndrome. And this happens when an infection triggers your immune system to flood your bloodstream with inflammatory proteins called Cytokines. Hence they can kill your tissues and damage organs.
If you notice the following symptoms in yourself, get medical help right away:
- Continuous Chest pain
- Trouble in breathing
- Bluish face or lips
According to the China, the most common symptoms among the people who are facing COVID-19 are
- Cough 59%
- Fever 99%
- Body aches 39%
- Fatigue 70%
- Shortness of Breath 31%
Mental Health Conditions due to COVID-19
Mental health problems can show effect on your behaviour, thoughts, emotions, and activeness. Some of the mental health symptoms due to COVID-19 are:
- You may feel down throughout the day
- High and low mood swings
- You may feel confused
- Reduction in ability to concentrate
- There may be tiredness, low-energy and problem of sleeping
- You may undergo aggressive anger and become violent
- One may get addicted to alcohol and suicidal thoughts
- Detached from Hallucinations
What are the risk factors of CoronaVirus
The infections of COVID-19 are mild. So, as the older you are at higher risk of facing severe illness. And the persons with the following health issues may have the higher risk of attacking CoronaVirus.
- Obesity
- A weak immune system
- Chronic kidney disease
- Heart conditions like Heart failure or Coronary artery disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Severe asthma
- Liver disease
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Damaged lung tissue
Can COVID pass through Packages, Groceries and food?
However, the transmission rate of CoronaVirus is relatively high. And you are more likely to get COVID-19 from another person than groceries and food. For instance, if you are in a high risk group, stay home and use a delivery service. Moreover, let them leave the items outside of your door and clean them with water once you get them. Or if you do your own shopping, wear a mask, gloves and try to stay at least 6 feet away from other shoppers.
How to avoid spreading COVID-19?
However there is no vaccine for CoronaVirus yet. So let’s take some safety precautions to stop spreading COVID-19.
Practise good Hygiene
- Wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol based sanitizer.
- Clean your hands after coming home from outside or meeting other people especially when they are ill
- Be clean and washed after touching your face, mouth or eyes
- Before preparing food or eating food.
Practise Social Distancing
Anyhow, you can spread the virus without even knowing it. So stay home as much as possible.
- Avoid gatherings in religious places, functions etc.,
- Maintain a distance of at least one meter from other people when you are in public places.
- Avoid direct contact with people, especially those who have symptoms like cough, cold and fever.
- Stop physical contact like handshakes and hugs.
- Also avoid touching surfaces like chairs, doors etc.,
Cover your Nose and Mouth
- Wear a mask when you are in public
- Cover your mouth with handkerchief while coughing and sneezing
- Stay away at 6 feet distance from other people
Is it safe to travel during this pandemic situation?
However, crowded places can raise higher chances of getting COVID-19. So the CDC suggests staying against international trips. Hence, if you choose to travel, stay away from sick people. And wash your hands often, also try not to touch your face. Similarly, wear a mask and try to boost your immune system with a particular food diet.
Coronavirus Vaccine
There is no Vaccine for COVID-19 yet. But the promising results shown by the experimental COVID-19 vaccines by Oxford and Moderna Inc have been raising hopes. Several vaccines are now in 3rd phases trails without failing so far in terms of safety.
Therefore, the World Health Organisation stated that the first use of vaccines can not be unexpected until early 2021. So, realistically, it is going to be the first part of next year of getting vaccinated. According to WHO, currently there are 150 vaccine candidates those who are in various stages of trials against COVID-19.
COVID-19 Treatment
Consequently, there is no cure for CoronaVirus. But people with mild cases need to take care like resting, and having fluids to ease their symptoms. Taking time-to-time medicines for body pains, sore throat and fever can help you in preventing the virus.
Taking antibiotics won’t help you in treating viruses because they are for bacteria. Moreover, people with severe symptoms need to be isolated at the hospital. However, many clinical trials are underway to explore treatments that fight against COVID-19. So, till then STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE with practising SOCIAL DISTANCING & GOOD HYGIENE.