Disease

CORONA VIRUS

1.What is corona virus?

Ans: Corona viruses are a specific family of viruses, with some of them causing less-severe damage, such as the common cold, and others causing respiratory and intestinal diseases. A corona virus has many “regularly arranged” protrusions on its surface, because of which the entire virus particle looks like an emperor’s crown, hence the name “corona virus”.

Corona virus seen from microscope

 2. From where and how does corona virus originate?

Ans: It is mainly originated from China. More than 70% of emerging infections in humans are estimated to have come from animals, particularly wild animals.

Experts with the World Health Organization (WHO) say there's a high likelihood the new corona virus came from bats. But it might have made the jump to a currently unknown animal group before humans could be infected.

The viruses behind Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are also thought to have originated in bats. But they are thought to have circulated in civet cats and respectively, before being transmitted to humans.

"We are coming into contact with species of wildlife and their habitats that we were not with before," Dr Ben Embarek, with the department of nutrition and food safety at the WHO.

(Dr Ben Embarek)

3. Common Symptoms of corona virus: The symptoms of most corona viruses are similar to any other upper respiratory infection, including runny nose, coughing, sore throat , and sometimes a fever. In most cases, you won't know whether you have a corona virus or a different cold-causing virus, such as rhino virus.

4. Precautions: 

• Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water to kill the virus if it is on your hands. 

• Practice respiratory hygiene: When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands. Covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing prevent the spread of germs and viruses. If you sneeze or cough into your hands, you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.

• Maintain social distancing: Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.When someone who is infected with a respiratory disease, like 2019-nCoV, coughs or sneezes they project small droplets containing the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the virus.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth: Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself. 

• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early:Tell your health care provider if you have traveled in an area in China where 2019-nCoV has been reported, or if you have been in close contact with someone with who has traveled from China and has respiratory symptoms.Whenever you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing it’s important to seek medical attention promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Respiratory symptoms with fever can have a range of causes, and depending on your personal travel history and circumstances, 2019-nCoV could be one of them.                                                                                                     
• If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within China: If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within China, carefully practice basic respiratory and hand hygiene and stay home until you are recovered, if possible.

• As a general precaution, practice general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets:Ensure regular hand washing with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands; and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products. Strictly avoid any contact with other animals in the market (e.g., stray cats and dogs, rodents, birds, bats). Avoid contact with potentially contaminated animal waste or fluids on the soil or structures of shops and market facilities.

• Avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products:Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.            

5. Treatment: There is no cure, so treatments include taking care of yourself and over-the-counter (OTC) medication:

• Rest and avoid overexertion.
• Drink enough water.
• Avoid smoking and smoky areas.
• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and fever.
• Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.

The virus responsible can be diagnosed by taking a sample of respiratory fluids, such as mucus from the nose, or blood.

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