Awareness can save your life from coronavirus. Know the essential fact on coronavirus and coronavirus disease, its symptoms, transmission, and complete prevention and protection tips.
Introduction:
Everyday in social media many rumors are coming on coronavirus. Due to rumors, coronavirus disease COVID-19 has become a terror among people. So “YouAware” main concern is to aware people about the essential fact on coronavirus and coronavirus diseases. Because getting panic and making people panic will not give any solutions to fight the deadly disease like Coronavirus Disease 2019-20 (COVID-19). Rather giving proper awareness on Coronavirus and all round protection from this hazardous disease should be our prime aim. Keeping in this eye, we have done a useful research on coronavirus which will definitely help our countrymen. When we find the actual reason behind any epidemic disease and valid guidelines of its prevention and cure, then we can definitely help our self and our family and friends to be protected from this pandemic disease. So let’s prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019-20 (COVID-19) with proper knowledge and awareness.
First Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019-20 (COVID-19):
The first outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid -19) was in Wuhan, China on 31st December 2019. On 31 December 2019, the WHO China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia unknown etiology (unknown cause) detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. From 31 December 2019 through 3 January 2020, a total of 44 case-patients with pneumonia of unknown etiology were reported to WHO by the national authorities in China. During this reported period, the causal agent was not identified. On 11 and 12 January 2020, WHO received further detailed information from the National Health Commission China that the outbreak is associated with exposures in one seafood market in Wuhan City. Wuhan city is a major domestic and international transport hub.
The Chinese authorities identified a new type of coronavirus (novel coronavirus, nCoV), which was isolated on 7 January 2020. Of the reported cases, seven are severely ill and one patient was dead with other underlying health condition. The clinical signs and symptoms reported are mainly fever, with a few cases having difficulty in breathing, and chest radiographs showing invasive pneumonic infiltrates in both lungs. On 12 January 2020, China shared the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus for countries to use in developing specific diagnostic kits.
Global Report on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19):
Since then the Coronavirus COVID-19 has been affecting 213 countries and territories around the world and 2 international conveyance: the Diamond Princess Cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan and the Holland America's MS Zaandam cruise ship. The global report on Coronavirus cases from "Worldometer" says that up to 30th Oct 2020 45,469,835 cases of COVID-19 have been reported, including 1,188,167 deaths and 33,060,113 patients are recovered. The high death rates have been reported from the countries United States Of America (2,34,237), Brazil (1,59,033), India (1,21,157), Mexico (91,237), UK (45,955), Italy (38,122), France (36,020), Spain (35,639) and Peru (34,362) .
As per Worldometers, India, The country recorded a total of 80,89,593 confirmed Covid 19 cases of which 5,94,386 are active, while 73,73,375 have been cured with 1,21,157 death report received till yet.
Also read: "Covid 19 Crisis in India: Top 10 Miscalculation."
Before this coronavirus affect us and our family, let's prevent it with proper knowledge and awareness. Now let's discuss, what is coronavirus, its types, symptoms, source of transmission and tips for complete protection from coronavirus disease(COVID-19).
What is CoronaVirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause disease in animals, birds and in humans. In human coronavirus cause illness ranges from the common cold to more severe diseases like the latest Coronavirus Disease 2019-20 (COVID-19), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Symptoms vary in other species: in chickens, they cause an upper respiratory tract disease, while in cows and pigs they cause diarrhea. Over the last 70 years, scientists have found that coronaviruses can infect mice, rats, dogs, cats, turkeys, horses, pigs, and cattle.
The name "coronavirus" is derived from the Latin corona, meaning crown or halo. Under electron microscope the red color spike peplomers gives a look of crown surrounding virions (the infective form of the virus).
Types of CoronaVirus:
Coronaviruses belong to the subfamily Coronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae. As per doctors there are seven types of coronaviruses that can infect humans.
Common types include:
1. 229E (alpha coronavirus)
2. NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
3. OC43 (beta coronavirus)
4. HKU1 (beta coronavirus)
Rarer strains that cause more severe complications include
5. SARS-CoV-2, the cause of ongoing 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak, i.e. coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
6 . MERS-CoV, which causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),
7. SARS-CoV, the virus responsible for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Let's just have a look on the rarer strains and its complications.
9
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of ongoing 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak, i.e. coronavirus disease 2019-20 (COVID-19).
MERS: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is an illness caused by a virus called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Most MERS patients developed severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. About 3 or 4 out of every 10 patients reported with MERS have died. Health officials first reported the disease in Saudi Arabia in September 2012. Through retrospective investigations, they later identified that the first known cases of MERS occurred in Jordan in April 2012. So far, all cases of MERS have been linked through travel to, or residence in, countries in and near the Arabian Peninsula. Since the disease was first identified in Saudi Arabia in April 2012, more than 2 400 cases have been detected in 27 countries, all with direct or indirect connections to the Middle East.
SARS: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Between November 2002 and July 2003, an outbreak of SARS in southern China caused an eventual 8,098 cases, resulting in 774 deaths reported in 29 countries (9.6% fatality rate with the majority of cases in mainland China and Hong Kong. No cases of SARS have been reported worldwide since 2004.
You can also refer the link between SARS and the present Coronavirus Pandemic.
Source of Transmission of Coronavirus to Human:
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV -2 was transmitted from pangolins to human, SARS-CoV from civet cats to human and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to human. Several known corona viruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Pangolin:
After testing more than 1,000 samples from wild animals, scientists at the South China Agricultural University found that the genome sequences of viruses in pangolins to be 99% identical to those on coronavirus patients, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Genetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequences shows that the virus was transmitted from an endangered species pangolin trafficked in China for its scales and meat.
Pangolins are threatened by poaching (for their meat and scales, which are used in Chinese traditional medicine) and heavy deforestation of their natural habitats, and are the most trafficked mammals in the world.
Civets:
A civet is a small, lean, mostly nocturnal mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, especially the tropical forests. The term civet applies to over a dozen different mammal species. Most of the species diversity is found in Southeast Asia.
In 2002–03, civets sold for meat in local markets of China's Yunnan province carried the SARS virus from horseshoe bats to humans. The resulting viral outbreak killed 774 people in 2002–2003.
Special Note:
MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 were originally bat viruses that spread to an intermediate animal (camel, civet cat and pangolin, respectively), which then exposed humans to the viruses.
Horseshoe bat:
Horseshoe bats are of particular interest to public health and zoonosis as a source of coronaviruses. Several horseshoe bats were seropositive for SARS-related coronaviruses.
The bats' viruses were highly similar to SARS-CoV, with 88–92% similarity. From 2003–2018, forty-seven SARS-related coronaviruses were detected in bats, forty-five of which were found in horseshoe bats.
Though horseshoe bats appeared to be the natural reservoir of SARS-related coronaviruses, humans likely became sick through contact with infected masked palm civets and pangolin, which were identified as intermediate hosts of the virus.
Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) :
Person infected with Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) may develop the below symptoms within 2 to 14 days of exposure to coronavirus.
Fever
Dry cough
Fatigue and
Shortness of breath.
Note: This 1 to 14 days is called as the incubation period for COVID-19, most commonly around five days.
It may also cause diarrhea. Cases can progress to pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and death in the most vulnerable.
Tips for Complete protection from “Coronavirus Disease” (COVID-19):
Coronavirus infection spread from one person to others via respiratory droplets produced from the airways, often during coughing or sneezing and close contact with the infected person.
So below are the tips to protect yourself from every way that the disease may affect you.
1.Basic protective measures against the COVID-19:
We all might aware on the basic protective measures such as washing hands frequently with soap and water, using hand sanitizer, maintaining social distance (at least 1 meter or 3 feet)
from anyone who is coughing or sneezing, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, practice respiratory hygiene (cover your mouth and nose with hands or tissue cover while coughing or sneezing). And if you have fever, cough and difficulty in breathing then seek the medical care earlier.
2.Avoid Nonessential Travel—Widespread Ongoing Transmission.
CDC (Center for disease control and prevention, US) issued a notice, Warning Level 3, for travelers to avoid all nonessential travel because of the widespread COVID-19 ongoing transmission.
Widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic you may be exposed to the virus while traveling—from sick persons at airports, or on airplanes, ships, trains, or buses. Some health care systems are becoming overwhelmed and there may be limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas. Many countries are implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and in-country travel may be unpredictable. Older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for severe disease.
Note: There are special protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited the areas where COVID-19 is spreading.
3.Protection Tips for Air or Cruise Travel:
Cruises put large numbers of people, often from countries around the world. This can promote the respiratory viruses that cause COVID-19. You may get sick from close contact with an infected person or by touching contaminated surfaces.
To reduce spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, CDC recommends that crew members and passengers:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol.
Stay in your cabin when you are sick and let the onboard medical center know immediately if you develop a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), begin to feel feverish, or have other symptoms (such as cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, or sore throat).
4.Protection Tips At Workplace:
Actively encourage sick employees to stay home:
Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
Respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees:
Hygiene etiquette involves practices that prevent the spread of illness and disease. Serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread by Coughing or sneezing and Unclean hand.
Coughing or sneezing etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put your used tissue in a waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not in your hands. Remember to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
Hand Hygiene:Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
Note: Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
5.Protection Tips at Schools and College:
Schools and colleges must take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among their students and staffs. Schools and colleges should continue to collaborate, share information and review plans with local health officials to help protect the whole school community, including those with special needs. Plans can build on every day practices (e.g. encouraging hand hygiene, monitoring absenteeism, and communicating routinely) that include strategies for before, during, and after possible outbreak.
Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places while school is dismissed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
6.Protection Tips For Households:
Practice everyday preventive actions now: Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Use tissue paper while coughing and sneezing with a tissue.
Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy. Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use, if possible. Plan to clean these rooms, as needed, when someone is sick.
Note: If any male or female domestic servant is coming to your home and if he or she has symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever. Also aware them about coronavirus disease COVID 19 symptoms and precautions.
7.Protection Tips For Pregnant Women and Children.
Pregnant Women: Pregnant women experience immunologic and physiologic changes which might make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Pregnant women also might be at risk for severe illness, morbidity, or mortality compared to the general population as observed in cases of other related coronavirus infections [including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)] and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, during pregnancy. That’s why pregnant women should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection like washing hands often and avoiding people who are sick.
Children: Children should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection, including cleaning hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding people who are sick, and staying up to date on vaccinations, including influenza vaccine.
Note: Children at daycares should be specially taken care of coronavirus disease. All the staff members must follow Hygiene etiquette ( Coughing or sneezing etiquette and Hand Hygiene) and all preventive steps to protect children from coronavirus disease.
8.High Alert:
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.
9.Food Tips For All:
WHO (world health organization) repeatedly stressing upon the animal product. Food safety from WHO are listed below
Ø Sick Animals and Animals that have died of the disease should not be eaten.
Ø Use different chopping boards and knives for raw meat and cooked food.
Ø Even in areas experiencing outbreaks, meat products can be consumed if these items are cooked thoroughly and properly handled during food preparation.
But in the situation of this current outbreak of COVID-19, many researchers says it is better to avoid animal food for some days. As it is difficult to diagnose that the animal we want to consume is virus free or not. So in the current scenario it is better to avoid meat, egg, chicken and other animal foods. And also avoid to eat outside in hotels because there are also chances of disease transmission.
10.Special Attention:
In this epidemic coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we all have to be especially aware of taking prevention and precautions as there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. As we all know that Coronavirus infection spread from one person to others via respiratory droplets produced from the airways, often during coughing or sneezing and close contact with the infected person. It is better to avoid shopping mall, cinema hall, social and public gathering, party and functions until unless the viral effect of coronavirus slows down.
Conclusion:
The real concern in Coronavirus disease is the person to person transmission if the person is infected from coronavirus. Looking to this every nation is putting their best effort to early diagnose the people who might be infected with coronavirus. A Warning Level 3 notice was issued by CDC for the travelers to avoid all nonessential travel because of the widespread COVID-19 ongoing transmission. All international travelers should stay home for 14 days after returning from travel, monitor their health, and practice social distancing.The main intention of this is the initial detection and isolation from other family members, friends, and colleagues in order to avoid the rapid spread of the disease and proper treatment of the patient. If from early stage it is diagnosed then with absolute treatment the chances of be chronic and death can be reduced. Now it’s the time to cooperate with our nation to save ourselves and our family. So never be panic, if you have any symptom then please coordinate with your public health official before the disease will infect all your family members.
Ignorance & Fear can never be a solution; rather, proper knowledge & courage always save.
Nice article with various aspects covered for covid-19