Coronavirus Or COVID-19: All You Need To Know About The Symptoms And Risks
As the world further gets locked down in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, more cases are still being recorded outside China, where the virus was first detected.
What is coronavirus?
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According to the World Health Organization - WHO, coronavirus is a family of viruses that causes illnesses which can range from common cold to severe diseases like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).
These viruses were actually transmitted from animal to human. SARS was transmitted from civet cats to humans while the other MERS moved to humans from a type of camel.
The virus was first identified by the Chinese on January 7 and after post that it was named coronavirus, COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. This is a new virus which has not been identified in humans earlier. The only known fact is that it can be transmitted from one human to another.
What is COVID-19, how it started in Wuhan?
The spread of the virus began from Wuhan in China and it is believed that it has come from a wild animal.
What are coronavirus symptoms?
The signs of infection include mild fever, cough, breathing problems (shortness of breaths) and difficulties.
In severe cases it can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and at worst - death.
Current estimates of the period in which this virus grows is about 14 days with definite symptoms.
Most infected people however show symptoms within five to six days.
It's also reported that some patients do not show any symptoms means, which means they can be asymptomatic - that it they won't show any symptoms despite having COVID-19 disease.
Should I check with a doctor if I start to cough?
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No, if you have a consistent cough, monitor your symptoms for at least seven day.
It is always said and is important to take necessary precaution like wearing a mask when moving out. Use a tissue while you cough or sneeze. Practice hygiene, wash your hands, use a sanitizer with more 60% alcohol.
If after seven days the condition gets worse or stays the same, seek medical help and get yourself tested for the virus.
There are a lot of hospitals who are doing this test, visit your nearest one and get yourself tested for the same.
Click here to check the Coronavirus Helpline Number in your sate.
How far it has spread and how deadly is it?
More than 8,000 deaths have been recorded which is larger than the previous outbreak of SARS, which was also recorded in China.
SARS as a disease killed 9 per cent of those who got infected with it which means nearly 800 people died worldwide and more than 300 in China itself. MERS as a virus did not spread world wide, but was more dangerous as it killed one-third of the people who got infected.
As per WHO, the new coronavirus is worldwide spread and it is more than what SARS caused, the mortality rate in SARS remains considerably low which is 3.4 per cent.
In which countries coronavirus cases have been reported?
Country Total Cases Death
China 80,942 3237
Italy 31,506 2502
Iran 16,169 988
Spain 11,826 533
Germany 9,877 26
S,Korea 8,413 84
France 7,730 175
USA 6,524 116
UK 1,950 71
Japan 882 29
India 147 3
What all has been done to curb the spread of coronavirus?
Scientists and researchers have been working on the vaccine that can cure this virus. They have also warned that it is likely to take time and will be available for the masses in the next year 2021.
#NIH has today launched a Phase 1 #clinicaltrial evaluating a vaccine candidate for #coronavirus #COVID19. This trial is enrolling 45 healthy adult volunteers in Seattle & is the first of multiple steps for evaluating the potential benefit of the vaccine. https://t.co/pudR3sL1zB
¡ª Francis S. Collins (@NIHDirector) March 16, 2020
Meanwhile, China is working against the virus in the most curated manner and has sealed the city of Wuhan where the virus got first detected. All the countries have placed restrictions on travel to and from the countries which has affected 60 million people till now. Countries have also started issuing notices to close schools, restaurants, bars and events to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Origin of Coronavirus?
China health authorities are still researching to determine the origin of this deadly virus - COVID-19. The like wise reports suggest that the virus came from the sea-food market in Wuhan, China where wildlife animals are traded illegally.
On February 7, Chinese researchers said the virus could have spread from an infected animal breed to human through illegally trafficked pangolins.
Scientists have also stated that the likewise either bats or snakes can also be possible sources for the virus.
Can we call it a global emergency?
The coronavirus outbreak is a global health emergency as WHO (World Health Organization) and other health organizations have raised the alarm a few times and recently declared this outbreak as a pandemic.
? BREAKING ?
¡ª World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020
"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A
This health alert was a call to every country across the world to maintain and seek guidance from the WHO.
This was not the first time when a health emergency was declared, in the year 2009 swine flu, 2014 polio and Ebola, Zika in 2016, and Ebola again in 2019.
Why is this worse than other diseases and how worried are experts?
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Today, we don¡¯t know how long the pandemic will go on for, but we do know that the disease is dangerous. But we'll only know for sure when the data is capitalised.
Unknown factor about coronavirus is how contagious or crucial this is from the flu. As there is no vaccine for coronavirus which makes it more difficult and vulnerable to protect eldery people or those with existing respiratory problems.
One of the most important and sensible steps would be to wash hands and stay away from other people. If you are feeling unwell monitor yourself and use a mask while travelling. Make sure to follow proper hygiene practices to curb the spread.
