Coronavirus Outbreak: Signs & Symptoms, What to do to prevent it, who are at risk & everything you need to know about Coronavirus

What is Covid-19: The Coronavirus disease that is fast spreading

Covid-19 is a member of the large Coronaviruses family which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China.

Its other known members are the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 1 (SARS-CoV-1).

Where did the Coronavirus (Covid-19) disease start spreading from?

It all began spreading from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China where it was first identified, BieGyaNation.Com has learnt.

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Majority of the people who initially got infected with the Coronavirus either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the centre of the Chinese city.

How many people have been infected and the death toll caused by COVID-19?

As of today, May 25^th, 2020, the recorded global death toll is 346,964, 5,517,708 infections, and 2,310,480 recoveries.

According to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, over 101,000 people have been infected in more than 80 countries worldwide.

In China alone, more than 4,300 deaths have so far been recorded with over 80,000 infected cases recorded.

50,000 infected Chinese are said to have recorded from the Coronavirus infections.

South Korea, the nation worst hit by the outbreak outside China, has 6,593 recorded cases.

In the UK, 163 cases have been recorded with one fatality.

Australia as it stands now has recorded 60 cases with two deaths.

Togo has recorded its first case of one person infected with the coronavirus.

How is it transmitted from one person to the other?

The Convid-19 like other Coronaviruses, is transmitted from animals to humans.

Bats are considered as natural hosts of these viruses yet several other species of animals are also known to be a source.

Detailed investigations found that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1) was transmitted from civet cats to humans and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from dromedary camels to humans.

Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

The time between exposure and symptom onset is typically five days, but may range from two to fourteen days

China’s national health commission has confirmed human-to-human transmission.

Signs & symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The virus is known to cause pneumonia in humans.

People infected with it have respiratory symptoms, coughs, fever, fatigue or tiredness, and difficulty in breathing or muscle pain.

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Are children also at risk of infection?

Disease in children appears to be relatively rare and mild.

A large study from China suggested that just over 2% of cases were under 18 years of age. Of these, fewer than 3% developed severe or critical disease.

What about pregnant women?

There is no published evidence yet on the severity of illness among pregnant women after COVID-19 infection.

Treatment for Coronavirus?

Since this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use.

There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, though research is ongoing.

Recovery from the Coronavirus heavily depends on the strength of the immune system of the infected person(s).

It has been noted that majority of the people who died from the Coronavirus were already in poor health.

Do I have to see a doctor when I start coughing?

The answer is YES! Since you cannot tell the difference between a ‘normal’ or ‘regular’ cough and coughs that may be caused by the Coronavirus, it is reasonable to make early contact with a medical doctor or a nearby hospital.

How to prevent infection or protect yourself from the deadly Coronavirus

The vital steps to take are:

• Thoroughly cook your meat and eggs before you consume them.
• Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would do with Flu.
• Thoroughly wash your hands including the back, in between the fingers, and under the nails with soap under running water.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away in a bin and wash your hands thoroughly immediately after that.

• Make sure you have your face mask on to protect yourself whenever you are outside as face masks are known to block liquid droplets from the air. Note, however, that face masks do not block smaller aerosols particles that can pass through the material of the mask.
• Seek early medical help at the nearest hospital if you have fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing. Also make sure you alert the healthcare providers of your travel history.
• If you have travelled to and returned from affected areas in countries such as China, Iran, South Korea or Italy in the last two weeks, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people for at least, 14 days.
• If you have returned from an infected area and developed a high temperature, cough, runny nose, sore throat or difficulty in breathing, do not leave your home until you have been examined and given advice by a medical doctor.

Source: George Awiadem Maclean | BieGyaNation.Com