THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PANDEMIC CORONAVIRUS

According to medical researchers, Coronaviruses are groups of viruses named for the crown-like spikes on the surface of a virus. Some Coronaviruses only affect animals while, others affect humans. The human Coronavirus tend to affect people sometimes in life or a stage in life.

The human Coronaviruses brings about respiratory ailments.

TYPES OF CORONAVIRUSES

The different types of Coronaviruses include:

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS)

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS)

Coronavirus Disease of 2019(COVID-19)

WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUSES

Coronaviruses are special kind of viruses that affects the respiratory tracts of birds and mammals. According to medical practioners, it’s symptoms include cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, severe respiratory syndrome and gut disease.

Many years ago, medical scientists had found that Coronaviruses can affect animals such as mice, cats turkey, rats, dogs, horses, pigs and cattle. This means that, these animals can transmit these viruses to humans when consumed.

In 2019, the pandemic COVID-19 which first broke out in Wuhan, China, has reached many countries. This type of Coronaviruses most often occur during winter and early spring. This is because, it’s first symptom is common cold.

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

The COVID-19 symptoms varies from person-person. This is because, some form of the virus can be fatal. Other symptoms include:

Sneezing

Coughing

Fatigue

Runny nose

Fever in rare cases

Sore throat

Exacerbated asthma

There is no cure or vaccine for the COVID-19 so, it’s treatment include self care and over-the-counter(OTC) medication. Other steps include:

Resting and avoiding overexertion

Avoiding smoking and smoky areas

Drinking enough water

Taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen or Naprosyn for pain and fever.

Using clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer

The diagnosis include taking samples of respiratory fluids, such as mucus from the nose or blood.

TYPES

The common types of the human Coronavirus include:

229E(alpha Coronavirus)

NL63(alpha Coronavirus)

OC43(beta Coronavirus)

HKU1(beta Coronavirus)

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

The Coronavirus can spread in the following ways:

Touching or shaking hands with a person who has the virus.

Coughing and sneezing without proper covering of the nose and mouth.

Making contact with a surface or object that has the virus and touching the nose, eyes and mouth.

According to the National Institute of Health(NIH), the following groups of people have the highest risk of developing complications due to COVID-19. They include:

Young children

People aged 65years and older

Women who are pregnant

To prevent its transmission, infected people should stay at home and rest until symptoms are active. Close contact with other people should be avoided too. Also, cover9the mouth and nose with tissue or handkerchief while sneezing or coughing, disposing them immediately, can avoid or reduce further spread.

According to the Chinese Medical Institute, on the 13th of March, 2020, the COVID-19 vaccine will  be ready by April, 2020.

Written and Published

By

Amara Christa