What You Should Know About The Coronavirus

As the coronavirus or Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc in China and different parts of the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to educate people on the pandemic.This global health emergency requires a proactive approach to minimize the spread of the virus.Photo by Ali Yahya on UnsplashIt is important to take precautions to prevent transmission.Health experts warn that, although coronavirus has killed fewer people than severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), it can still cause pandemonium across the globe.It comes from a family of viruses capable of triggering different types of illnesses, including common cold, SARS, and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

These viruses typically originate from animals.Health experts state that several types of coronaviruses found in animals are yet to infect humans.Covid-19 is a novel strain, which had not previously infected humans.The number of fatalities recorded between December 2019 and the end of February 2020 surpasses the fatalities caused by the SARS outbreak (2002 2003).

Although the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) infected fewer people, it proved more deadly than SARS and Covid-19.Coronavirus symptomsAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the contagious coronavirus triggers respiratory symptoms.These include: Severe breathing difficulties Coughing Fever PneumoniaThe severity of symptoms varies from one patient to another depending on factors, such as age and health status.Individuals with compromised immune symptoms typically experience severe symptoms.Elderly people and patients suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and other medical conditions may develop pneumonia after contracting Covid-19.

As a result, it becomes easier to experience organ failure, which leads to death.However, the majority of people infected by the contagious virus have mild symptoms.Symptoms of the coronavirus can appear after two to 14 days following the initial exposure.It is important to consult a health practitioner immediately after experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms.

The doctor will ask whether you have recently traveled internationally.How does it spread?The transmission of the coronavirus from one person to another is easier than other strains of the virus.Mild symptoms also contribute to the wider spread of the virus.Reports show that many infected people transmit the virus before symptoms appear.Photo by Ani Kolleshi on UnsplashThis means that preparation for any potential cases needs to consider this aspect.

However, some experts believe that the major driver of new infections is linked to other factors.Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is known to become transmissible after the appearance of full-blown symptoms.This made it easier to control.A report published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicated that the Covid-19 becomes highly transmissible shortly after an infected person feels sick.

At this stage, the infectiousness of the virus is similar to the flu.Coronavirus precautionsWhen it comes to taking precautions, you should regularly wash hands using hand sanitizers or soap with water for a minimum of 20 seconds.Unwashed hands must not have any contact with the mouth, nose, and eyes.On the other hand, close contact with an infected individual lasting more than a few minutes is inadvisable.If you live in a city, town, or village with confirmed cases of the pandemic, avoid public spaces like schools, workplaces, and shopping malls.

Health experts also urge people to cover a sneeze or cough using a tissue.It is vital to dispose of the tissue in a trash can.The guidelines are vital in the preparation for a potential outbreak in your area.Cleaning and disinfect various areas of your home or commercial property is highly recommended.

Focus on your attention on touched surfaces and objects.On the other hand, social distancing techniques can provide a viable way to minimize risks of exposure as part of precautions.pandemic.Wearing a mask is unnecessary if you live in an area with no unconfirmed cases.

The use of specialized masks is typically reserved for first responders, high-risk individuals, and healthcare professionals.Is it safe to travel?The U.S.Department of State issued travel advisories for countries with confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including South Korea, China, Italy, Japan, and Iran.If trips to affected destinations are unavailable, the CDC recommends consulting with a physician before embarking on the trip.Elderly people and people with the underlying disease face an elevated risk of contracting the disease.

Hence, the need to avoid traveling to countries with confirmed Covid-19 cases.Some of the countries with reported cases outside of China include: Italy South Korea United Kingdom Iran France Nigeria Philippines Hong Kong JapanCovid-19 and older age groupsWhen the coronavirus invades the respiratory tract, it multiplies in the cells lining the airway.The infection damages the cells, which triggers a response from the immune system.Immune cells close to the affected area fight against the pathogens causing inflammation.

The patient recovers as the immune response slows down.Elderly people face the risk of developing severe symptoms due to dysfunctional immune systems.The bodies of patients belonging to the older age groups fail to eradicate the pathogens more effectively.The dysfunctional response can lead to the overproduction of immune cells and signaling molecules.Photo by Olga Kononenko on UnsplashThe body experiences a cytokine storm, which involves the flooding of the lungs by immune cells.

As a result, patients exhibit severe symptoms, such as inflammation of the airway, shortness of breath, and pneumonia.Local inflammation can trigger serious complications throughout the body as the virus multiplies faster than immune defenses can respond.Elderly people should regularly wash hands and disinfect living spaces to prevent infection.Taking these precautions against Covid-19 provides a surefire way to avoid transmission.

Health experts also recommend social distancing for people over the age of 60 and pregnant women.This applies to anyone living in areas with known coronavirus transmission.Are men more vulnerable to the coronavirus than women?Data released recently shows that more men are succumbing to Covid-19 than women despite similar numbers of infection rates.The death rate for women infected by the coronavirus stood at 1.7 and 2.8 for women.

However, experts say that it is too early to determine whether the trend is definitive.Gender bias can be proven after a closer look into a larger population in several countries.The presence of bias would consistent with observations reported during the SARS and MERS outbreaks.In 2003, epidemiologists noted that approximately 32 percent of males succumbed to the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) versus 26 percent of females.Scientists are convinced that the new coronavirus uses the ACE-2 receptor.

The observation dovetails with the fatality rates associated with the virus.Up to seven types of coronaviruses are known to infect humans.Some of the variants trigger common cold symptoms and result in relatively lower fatality rates.Global responsePharmaceutical companies are working tirelessly to develop an effective vaccine.

However, experts are convinced that mass distribution will most likely begin by 2021.For this reason, it is vital to take precautions by aimed at preventing transmission.Experts urge people to wash hands regularly.Doing provides a surefire way to minimize the impact of the contagious pandemic.

As more cases of the virus emerge in countries around the world, including Nigeria and the United Kingdom, many airlines are canceling flights to China.Some countries like South Africa have evacuated their citizens from Wuhan (the epicenter of the outbreak) and other parts of China.In the meantime, the Chinese authorities are working tirelessly to identify the exact source of the virus.Some sources state that the virus may originate from a seafood market in Wuhan.

Wildlife trade is rife in the city with some traders exchanging stock illegally.Pangolins found in countries like Zimbabwe are illegally trafficked into Asia.Some researchers say there is a possibility that the virus spread from infected pangolins to humans.These protected animals are in high demand in Asia for medicine and food.

Bats and snakes are also listed as potential sources of the virus.The inquest is taking place as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the contagious pandemic a global emergency.The announcement was made following the confirmation of the first human-to-human cases outside China.Photo by Curology on UnsplashThe health alert enables countries to take the necessary precautions and preparation to combat new transmission of the highly contagious pandemic.Countries are expected to coordinate responses in line with specific efforts outlined by the United Nations health agency.Coronavirus: What is the definition of cured?When it comes to infectious diseases, Covid-19 patients are either clinically or pathogen cured.

A clinical cured patient stops exhibiting symptoms and feels significantly better.On the other hand, a pathogen cured patient is free from the virus based on the tests conducted by the physicians.Many patients stop showing symptoms thanks to a successful immune response (clinical cure) as with the influenza virus.In terms of seasonality, Covid-19 may follow a seasonal pattern, which reaches its peak during the winter.As such, a high number of infections may be recorded in the Northern Hemisphere before the outbreak spreads to the Southern Hemisphere.Additional considerationsMany people have been asking whether they should stay away from pets and other animals.

According to the CDC, there are no reports of animals falling ill with Covid-19 in the United States.Also, there is no evidence showing that companion animals or pets are vulnerable to coronavirus.However, health experts urge people to wash hands after making contact with animals.If you have contracted the coronavirus, avoid contact with pets and other animals.

Scientists are gathering more information about any links between pets and the coronavirus.If you have recently imported a pet or other animal from China, you need to comply with USDA and CDC requirements fro bring animals into the United States.You should closely observe any imported animals for signs of ill-health.If the animal shows symptoms of sickness, immediately call a veterinarian before taking it to the clinic.Notify the vet that the animal was recently in China.Coronavirus terms you should knowZoonoticAny disease that is transmissible from animals to humans is zoonotic.

The new coronavirus was transmitted to humans from animals.The same applies to SARS and MERS, which emanated from civets and camels, respectively.However, scientists are still trying to identify the animal linked to the new coronavirus.

The pangolin found in Zimbabwe is currently the prime suspect.Covid-19This term refers to the disease triggered by the coronavirus.It is used interchangeably with the official name, SARS-CoV-2, and coronavirus.Asymptomatic transmissionThis term applies to the transmission of the contagious virus even when an infected person shows no symptoms.Scientists are working tirelessly to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic transmission cases.CoronavirusThis virus belongs to a category of viruses that trigger SARS, common cold, and MERS.

The name is derived from the shape of the virus, which features crown-like spikes.IsolationInfected individuals can spread the virus in human-to-human transmission.Hence, the need to isolate and quarantine anyone who is actively sick with Covid-19.The isolation ends when the individual is free from the virus and no longer poses a health risk to others.The final decision on the length of stay in isolation varies from one person to another.

Physicians will assess the infected individual based on various factors, such as the severity of the symptoms and the results of laboratory tests.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides specific guidelines relating to the release of people from isolation.The patient should show no signs of fever without administering fever-reducing medications.Individuals must undergo at least two consecutive tests conducted 24 hours apart.The tests involve examining respiratory specimens.QuarantineAn infected person must be separated from uninfected people even they have no symptoms of the coronavirus.

This approach reduces the risk of transmission to others.A patient can stay in quarantine for the duration of the incubation period, which is typically 14 days.People released from quarantine is not regarded as a threat to public health.Anyone kept in quarantine during the incubation period and does not fall ill is unlikely to become a risk.