CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19)
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered corona virus (COVID-19 is derived from: CO= CORONA, VI= VIRUS, D= DISEASE, 19= 2019(year of discovery).
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) originated in Wuhan, china. China alerted the WHO to cases of unusual pneumonia in Wuhan on December 31 2019. COVID-19 is believed to originate in a seafood market where wildlife was sold illegally. Chinese researcher sited bats or snakes as possible sources. On January 7, 2020, France confirmed European first case. January 11, 2020, china confirmed first death. January 30, WHO declared the outbreak a global health emergency. February 11, WHO named the virus COVID-19. February14, Egypt confirmed Africa’s first case. Viruses don’t survive on their own, they are only able replicate themselves by bossing the reproductive apparatus of cells and making them reproduce the virus genetic structure. Virus cannot function on their own, outside the living body they become crystalline in shape and soon die if no contact with a living cell. This virus has a viral envelope (fat layer) that protects viral particle when they travel from person to person in the air. When the temperature or humidity dries out this sheath, the virus dies. The incubation period of corona virus is 1-14 days. It’s not certain how long the virus survive on surfaces. It may persist for hours or days on surfaces depending on the surface, temperature, humidity of a place.
People of All ages can be infected by corona virus (COVID-19). Older people and people with pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer etc are more vulnerable to be severely ill with the virus. Symptoms includes fever, cough, chill, shortness of breath, muscle pains, headache, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, bluish face or lips
Corona virus (COVID-19) is transmitted from person to person, being a respiratory virus, it is transmitted through respiratory droplets when an affected person(s) cough, sneeze, or through droplet of saliva when speaking or discharged from the nose. One can be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose. Anyone can be infected irrespective of the geographical area or weather. The normal body temperature remains around 36.5˚c to 37˚c irrespective of the weather, this implies that the virus affects people of all races (Asia, Europe, Africa, America).
As of the time of writing this, corona virus (COVID-19) has no cure. Infected individual can recover with or without assistance. They are isolated to avoid infecting others. Those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials.
Corona virus(COVID-19) being a respiratory disease which can be easily transmitted from person to person, the best way to curtail and protect yourself is by using facial mask to cover your mouth and nose, frequently cleaning your hands, eliminate viruses that may be on your hands with alcohol-based sanitizer, avoid touching your eyes mouth and nose. Considering its mode of transmission, without contact, the virus will soon be thing of the past. It is advisable to stay at home, practice social distancing. Report yourself or anyone suspected to be infected of corona virus to the appropriate authority. The world will be a better place to live once more
Stay safe!