On 31st December 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) received a few alerts about several cases of pneumonia from Wuhan City, China. A week later, Chinese authorities confirmed the emergence of a new type of coronavirus disease (known as COVID-19 now) in humans. Eventually, the virus started spreading as Thailand reported a case on 13th January 2020.
The new coronavirus is transmitting like a wildfire as more and more people have been getting affected rapidly. On 28th February 2020, WHO stated the risk assessment worldwide for COVID-19 as ‘very high’. There is no cure for the disease yet. You should take some basic oral and respiratory hygienic measures to prevent the infection of the novel coronavirus.
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Coronavirus: The introduction
Coronaviruses refer to a large family of viruses that cause a range of illnesses from the common cold to severe diseases such as MERS and SARS. MERS stands for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome while SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, a term that means that the viruses transmit between animals and people. The new strain of coronavirus is officially recognised as the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and the new disease is known as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 was discovered at the very end of 2019. The scientists identified the new strain in humans for the first time.
Signs and symptoms of coronavirus diseases
- Running nose
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- A general feeling of being unwell
The novel coronavirus: Signs and symptoms of COVID-19
COVID-19 seems to start with a fever, and then a dry cough. A week later, the patients experience shortness of breath. Some people need hospital treatment at this point.
Scientists have said that it takes about five days on average for the symptoms to appear. However, some people will show symptoms much later than 5 days.
According to WHO, the incubation period for the new coronavirus is up to 14 days. Some researchers say that it could be as long as 24 days.
How does the novel coronavirus spread?
Although the initial spread of the virus points to animal-to-person transmission, the present circumstances suggest person-to-person circulation to a concerning level. Again, human coronaviruses usually spread from an infected person to another person by means of:
- The air mainly by the droplets of the infected people when they speak, cough or sneeze.
- Close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands.
- Touching a surface or an object with the virus on it, and touching your mouth, nose, or eyes afterwards without washing your hands.
- Rarely through body waste.
Coronavirus awareness: How to prevent COVID-19?
Treatment for COVID-19
To date, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat the new coronavirus disease. Moreover, possible vaccines and specific drug treatments are still in clinical trials. WHO is coordinating all the attempts for the development of vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat the new coronavirus.
People infected with COVID-19 need supportive care to get relief from the symptoms. In cases of severe illness, the care would include support for vital organ functions.
At this point, prevention is the most effective way of staying safe. For example, you need to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, cook meat and eggs thoroughly. Furthermore, avoid close contact with anyone who has symptoms of respiratory illness.
What happens to the hospitalized patients of COVID-19?
The people admitted to hospitals receives treatments for their symptoms as their immune systems try to fight the virus off. Hospitalization makes sure that the patients are isolated from others.
In some critical cases, the virus causes pneumonia, an inflammation of the lungs. The patients will need breathing support in such cases. In comparatively milder cases, patients are given an intravenous drip for blood pressure issues. If a patient has diarrhoea, fluids can be given.
What should you do if you think that you have the new coronavirus disease?
The NHS believes that an epidemic of COVID-19 in the UK is ‘likely’.
If you have a new continuous cough or a high temperature (above 37.8°C), you should self-isolate at home for a minimum of 7 days, according to the latest guidance of Public Health England.
You should not go to your GP, pharmacy or hospital. If your symptoms are uncontrollable, please use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out your next course of action.
If you have come into contact with people who have COVID-19 symptoms, you need to self-isolate.
Social distancing and self-isolation for coronavirus prevention
Social distancing refers to the practice of avoiding all non-essential direct contact with other people. You have to spend the minimum possible time in public places to prevent coronavirus infection. Everyone needs to follow social distancing precautions, especially pregnant women, people over 70s and adults who are usually eligible for a flu jab.
What are you allowed to do when social distancing?
- Walk or run outdoors keeping 2m (6ft) distance from others.
- Meet family members and friends if you need to.
- Take care of your elderly relatives or neighbours who don’t have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Purchase food and groceries from shops.
- Walk your dog.
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