COVID-19 Disease
In December 2019, there was a cluster of pneumonia cases in the city of Wuhan, China. Some of the early cases have been reported after visiting or working in the seafood and live animal markets in Wuhan. Investigations found that the disease was caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The disease was subsequently named COVID-19. Covid-19 spread within China and to the rest of the world on January 30, 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
Introduction
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses. They consist of a core of genetic material surrounded by a lipid envelope with protein spikes. This gives it the appearance of a crown. That is where the names of these viruses come from. There are different types of coronavirus that cause illness in animals and humans. In humans, coronaviruses can cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. These include severe acute respiratory syndrome. The coronavirus was first identified in China in 2003. The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and SAR-Cov 2. The name of the virus that causes COVID-19 was first reported in December 2019. It is known that coronaviruses circulate in a range of animals. Sometimes these viruses can make the jump from animals to humans. This is called spillover and could be due to a range of factors, such as mutations in the virus or increased contact between humans and animals. For example, MARS-Cov is known to be transmitted by camels and SAR-Cov by civet cats. The animal reservoir of the new coronavirus is not known yet.
Transmission
The disease can spread from person to person through droplets when an infected person releases those droplets through coughing, talking, or sneezing. For example, when close to another person, it can also spread when infected droplets land on objects and when another person touches them and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Symptoms
The incubation period, which is the time between exposure to the virus and the development of symptoms, is on average five to six days but can range from one to fourteen days. There can be a range of symptoms, from very mild to severe. Some people may not develop symptoms. Common symptoms include fever, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Some people report a loss of their sense of taste or smell, and some may develop a skin rash in more severe cases. There could be pneumonia or organ failure. Sometimes, about 80% of cases recover from the disease without needing special treatment, but there are some people who are at risk of serious illness, including older people or people with underlying medical problems such as chronic respiratory disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or cancer.
Diagnoses
The infection is commonly diagnosed by a test called reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), generally known as PCR. This test identifies the virus based on its genetic fingerprint. There is also a blood test that can check for antibodies against the virus, which may show that someone was infected.
Treatment
The treatment for COVID-19 is mainly supportive care. The medicine against the virus is currently under investigation.
Prevention
There are a number of effective ways to prevent the spread of the disease. These include covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a flexed elbow or tissue and throwing the tissue in a closed bin immediately after use, washing hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. maintaining at least one-meter distance from people; and the appropriate use of masks and personal protective equipment, especially in health settings. It's important to stay home if you're feeling unwell and to call a hotline or your medical professional, but if you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share your travel history or contact with someone unwell with your healthcare provider. In some areas, governments have implemented specific physical and social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the outbreak. It's important to follow their advice. Vaccines to prevent COVID-19 are currently available and scientists around the world are working hard to make them stronger.
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