Health First: What is COVID-19?

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Coronavirus disease (COVID -19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus.

COVID - 19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. Many people who fall sick with COVID -19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without any special treatment.

Coronavirus is a new virus that began in China and cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Now it has spread worldwide. Coronavirus was named as "corona" due to the presence of many crowns like spikes on its surface. This cause respiratory illness in humans and it affects animals as well.

Common examples of coronavirus are, that cause illness in humans

Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Middle East respiratory syndrome

The new strain of coronavirus, COVID -19 was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It has spread to all continents (except Antarctica).

It is affecting many people in just a blink of an eye. It seems to be very dangerous if care will not adopt.

What are symptoms of CORONAVIRUS?

If someone feels these symptoms or combination of these symptoms one may have coronavirus, these are according to CDC.

Fever or chills
Headaches
Tiredness
Cough
Shortness of breath
Loss of taste and smell
Muscle and body aches
Sore throat
Difficulty breathing
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Additional symptoms are possible.

After exposure to the virus, symptoms may appear between 2 to 14 days, which may be mild to severe. Older adults are more susceptible while children are also affected. People with medical conditions like heart diseases, lung issues, diabetes are at greater risk of COVID -19 infection.

In case of difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, bluish lips, or face immediately call 911 and get immediate medical attention.

How coronavirus diagnosed?

COVID-19 is diagnosed with a laboratory test. The Heath care provider may collect a sample of saliva or swab nose or throat for testing.

If the test result will be positive, then you have COVID-19 but if it is negative then you are not affected. But take care of yourself.

Who is at greater risk?

People who have close contact with an infected person, close contact means within 6 feet of an infected person.
People who live in an area with ongoing spread or recently travelled that place and area.
People over age 60 who have preexisting medical conditions are more susceptible.
People who do not care himself/herself.
People having weakened immune system, poor diet and lifestyle also affects.

How does COVID-19 spread from person to person?

It is most likely to spread:

Virus travel in respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, sings or breaths near another person within six feet of distance the other person will may affect. This is the main way to spread
From close contact like touching, shaking hands, hugging.
The spread is more likely to occur in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
By touching surfaces that the virus had landed on and then touch your face, nose, mouth, eyes without washing hands. But it is not very common.

The virus travels to the back of your nasal passages and mucous membrane in the back of your throat. It then grasps the cells there and begins to multiply which then moves to lung tissues and from there spread to other body tissues thus causing discomfort and distress.

Preventive measures