Coronavirus - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment

What Is Coronavirus (Covid-19) ?

The coronavirus belongs to the family of viruses that infects human beings and the animals. Nowadays novel coronavirus has become a pandemic, causing coronavirus disease abbreviated as (COVID-19). It poses a serious public health risk because it is highly contagious, even more contagious than flu. It transmits from person to person, causing mild to severe illness.

When and Where Did the Coronavirus Emerge?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain that has emerged from Wuhan, the city of China, in December 2019. It has now spread to different countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Iran, Pakistan and many others. There is no cure discovered for this disease yet. The patients are treated symptomatically. 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Coronavirus?

The signs and symptoms of novel coronavirus resemble the symptoms of common cold, flu and pneumonia. It causes fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath. People with weak immunity may also suffer from nausea and diarrhoea. The emergency symptoms of coronavirus are; severe difficulty in breathing, confusion, bluish lips or face and persistent pain in the chest. At this stage, you should rush to the hospital emergency.

How Does Coronavirus Spread?

The coronavirus spreads from person to person through airborne droplets. If an infected person coughs and sneezes in a close environment in front of others, the other people will eventually catch the infection. The virus can also transmit through high touch surfaces. If an infected person is carrying viruses on his hand and touches the surface, he will transmit the virus on the surface. If a healthy person touches that surface again, he can catch the virus easily.

How Can I Protect Myself From Coronavirus?

You can protect yourself from coronavirus by wearing a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands frequently and sanitize them with an alcohol-based sanitizer. Do not touch your face, nose and eyes with unwashed hands.

Keep disinfecting the high touch surfaces like switchboards, doorknobs, fridge doors and keys etc. Avoid going to overcrowd places and maintain a distance of 1 foot from the one who is coughing or sneezing. Cook the meat and eggs at high temperature. Wash the fruits and vegetables properly before use.

Try to isolate yourself at home as much as you can. Avoid going out for unnecessary tasks and also avoid international travelling.. 

Why Is Washing Hands Necessary?

Washing hands frequently is necessary because there is a fair chance of carrying the virus in your hand which you have caught by touching any surface. The coronavirus resides on the surfaces for a long duration, if you touch the surface where viruses are present you can easily get infected.

When Will I Have the Symptoms After Exposure?

The incubation period for coronavirus is 14 days. In this period, the person has no symptoms. You will have the symptoms after 14 days of exposure. There is a chance of transmitting the virus to others in this phase as well.

Who Is at Risk?

The older adults, immunocompromised people and the ones with comorbidities like heart diseases, kidney diseases, diabetes and lung diseases are at higher risk of getting worse symptoms of coronavirus.

How Is the Test Done for Coronavirus Confirmation?

The confirmation test for coronavirus is a swab test. The doctor takes the swab from your nose or both, the nose and throat. Then, they dip the swab in a solution that releases the cells and perform genetic coding of the sample and match it with that of COVID-19.

The health-care personnel performing the test should take special care of themselves. They require wearing a protective suit, gloves, gowns, face mask and face shield.

Can a Pregnant Mother Pass Coronavirus to Her Child?

It is unknown that either the pregnant mother passes the coronavirus to the baby or not. Until now, the pregnant mothers who were suffering from coronavirus have not transmitted it to their young ones. The samples of breast milk and amniotic fluid were also tested for coronavirus, but they were negative for it. 

How Can I Boost My Immune System?

You should strengthen your immune system to protect yourself against coronavirus therefore take the following measures to boost your immune system.

• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Take multivitamins.
• Exercise daily.
• Quit smoking.
• Keep your blood pressure and blood sugar under control

What Are the Other Safety Measures?

Lastly, in this critical time of coronavirus pandemic, avoid your exposure to people as much as you can. Self isolate yourself at home, plan about your groceries and medicines, store all of them at once. If you are having any symptoms of coronavirus, ask someone else to bring the food, grocery and medicine for you. Avoid travelling in public transport, ride-sharing or taxis. Also avoid close contact with your pets and keep disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.