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COVID-19

Last Modified: April 25, 2024  |   Created on: March 23, 2020
General Health
CoronaVirus

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses constitute a large family of viruses that cause diseases in the respiratory systems of animals and humans. The illness caused by these viruses can range from a common cold to severe respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. Several types of coronaviruses are known to cause serious respiratory infections in humans, such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

In 2019, a novel strain of Coronavirus has been identified to be the cause of a disease outbreak in China, and has now to several other countries of the world. It has affected more than 3 million people globally and is responsible for over 14000 deaths. 

Due to this, almost all countries have imposed a travel ban, especially for international visitors, till the situation improves.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by this novel coronavirus, called ‘SARS-CoV2’, that affects the lungs and airways. This new virus and disease caused an outbreak which began in the city of Wuhan, China in December 2019. This is the most recently discovered strain of coronavirus that is causing the disease called COVID-19.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include respiratory problems, such as
  • Dry cough
  • Breathlessness or shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Extreme fatigue
Symptoms-for-Covid-19

The symptoms occur within 2 to 14 days after the exposure to infection. Some patients have also indicated signs of aches and pains along with nasal congestion, sore throat runny nose, or diarrhoea.

The symptoms of this disease begin gradually and are usually mild at the onset. In some cases, people may be infected but don’t show any signs and don’t feel unwell i.e asymptomatic. These people however can still pass the virus on to others.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), it has been reported that almost 1 out of every 6 patients infected with COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops breathing or respiratory problems. Also, there are certain risk factors that make people more likely to develop serious problems. These risk factors include old age, underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes.

In severe cases, the disease can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, failure of kidney functions and even death. Most people with this infection do not develop severe illness and people of older age or compromised respiratory system are reported to develop severe problems with this disease, including the risk of death.

However, it is highly advisable for people with fever, cough and breathing difficulty to seek immediate medical attention and notify the health authority.

How does it spread?

Currently, the spread is associated with person-to-person contact and contact with infected surfaces. A person can catch the viral infection from other people who have this virus or disease. The spread from person to person happens through small droplets produced when the person with COVID-19 sneezes or coughs.

Spread-of-Covid-19

These droplets can also land on the nearby objects and surfaces around the person, or they may touch these surfaces with infected hands. Normal individuals can also catch the disease by touching these objects or surfaces exposed with virus, and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also inhale the droplets while breathing and get infected when a person with COVID-19 coughs out or exhales these droplets.

Some viruses are more easily spread than other infectious agents. According to Centre for Disease Control (CDC), USA, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.

Research is still going on about the spread and source of the disease.

What are the diagnostic tests for coronavirus?

The diagnostic tests for the coronavirus 2019-nCoV is based on 2 approaches: whole genome sequencing and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR). Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends collection of following 3 sample types for testing:

Upper respiratory tract

obtained as combined nose and throat swab, or a viral nose swab combined with a viral throat swab into one container of viral transport medium. It can also be taken as a single swab used for collection from throat and then nose, or a nasopharyngeal aspirate in a universal transport container.

Lower respiratory tract

This includes sputum sample, if obtainable

Serology

It is an additional test that is required when the patient is admitted to hospital. 5mL serum tube or plain tube for adults and 1mL for children <12 years.

There are several testing kits available for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus from the sample. However, the health authorities are trying to standardize and regulate the test kits. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently authorized the use of the first rapid diagnostic test that will be able to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in approximately 45 minutes. The turnaround time for results from the tests that were earlier being used ranged from 24 hours to four days.

What can I do to protect myself?

As there is no vaccine available currently to prevent the coronavirus disease COVID-19, the best thing we can do is prevent illness by avoiding exposure to this virus. Health organizations such as WHO and CDC has certain recommendations that can be followed by everyone as a preventive measure to help limit the spread of this respiratory diseases. This includes:

  • Regularly and thoroughly washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Washing your hands with soap and water helps by killing the viruses that may be present on your hands.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand rub or sanitizer
  • Keep at least 1 meter or 3 feet distance between yourself and any other person who might be coughing or sneezing. The virus can spread through the droplets released from the nose or mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If you are in close range to a person, with COVID-19 virus, you can inhale the droplets.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. This is important because our hands touch various surfaces throughout the day and may pick up viruses from a surface that is exposed to the virus. The contaminated hands can transfer the virus when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can then enter the body from there and cause the disease.
  • Follow good respiratory hygiene. This is important for you as well as those around you. This involves covering the mouth and nose with tissue or your bent elbow whenever you cough or sneeze. Remember to dispose off the used tissue immediately. As the droplets spread virus, following good respiratory hygiene can help you protect yourself and the surrounding people from viruses causing respiratory illness such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
  • Stay at home if you do not feel well. In case you have a fever, cough as well as difficulty breathing, go the doctor and seek medical attention. You can visit your local health authority and follow their instructions. The health care providers have been instructed on national and international level to take necessary measures in case of infection. They will quickly direct you to a designated health facility and instruct you to stay in quarantine if suspected of exposure. This will not only help you but also help protect and prevent the spread of viruses to other people.

It is important to stay informed on the latest developments regarding the virus and COVID-19. Follow the precautionary guidelines given by the healthcare provider as well as the national and local public health authority. Remaining up to date with the latest information helps you make educated decision and prevents unnecessary panic.

Prevention

Here are some more precautions that you can undertake to protect yourself from exposure to this virus.   Prevention-for-covid-19
  • Avoid shaking hands or physical contact with people
  • Use your knuckles to tap the light switch. elevator buttons, and other surfaces (wherever possible). You can also use paper towels or gloves to touch places in public areas.
  • Open doors using a closed fist or hip. It is better to avoid grasping the handle with your hand, unless it is absolutely required to use hands. Especially for bathroom and post office or other public places.
  • Use disinfectant wipes at the general stores or grocery shops. You can also wipe the handle and child seat in the carts of the grocery shops.
  • Use soap to wash your hands and/or use a hand sanitizer with more than 60% alcohol whenever you return home or to your seat after any activity, especially when it involves locations that are commonly used by other people.
  • Keep a bottle of sanitizer handy – desk at your workplace, home entrance, your car so that are easily available after touching other contaminated objects. This is really helpful when you can’t immediately wash your hands.
  • Try to cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue whenever possible. Discard the tissue immediately. You can also cough into your bent elbow if a tissue is not available as the elbow is covered with your cloths and will contain infectious virus. Using hands can increase the chances of contaminating other surfaces.
  • Also, remember, the face mask is only to be used by health workers, caretakers, and people who have respiratory symptoms, such as fever and cough.
Dr. Surbhi Suden

Written By Dr. Surbhi Suden

Dr. Surbhi Suden is one of the founders of Lyfboat and a doctor with a renowned name in the Medical tourism industry. She has been working with international patients since 2008 and is a deeply committed professional with a long term vision of transforming the current healthcare scenarios.

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