What is Coronavirus?
The coronavirus is a member of the family Coronaviridae and resembles a spiked ring under the electron microscope. Scientists have named it coronavirus, due to the presence of innumerable crown-like projections forming a halo-like structure. Upon detailed investigations, scientists could establish that the virus uses the spikes to bind to host cells and start reproduction. Structurally, this virus consists of a strand of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) and can cause both severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) like symptoms. The physician and scientist community across the globe have become highly concerned about the outbreak of this infection. Between November 2002 and July 2003, a SARS outbreak in Southern China infected 8098 cases and caused death to 774 individuals. Similarly, a MERS outbreak in September 2012, infected about 124 patients and resulted in 52 deaths in Saudi Arabia
From where did the Coronavirus originate?
Most people speculate that the deadly Coronavirus originated at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. It is a popular market selling fishes, processed meat products, and other living animals including chicken, donkey, goad, snake, etc.
Since coronavirus is zoonotic(i.e. it can be transmitted between animals and humans), it is common among animals. However, in some rare circumstances, it can even transmit to human beings. Bat is the common origin of source. but this time it may be originated from snake as per recent evidences from genetic code analysis. But controversy is there for this outbreak.
What are the different types of Coronavirus?
Until now, scientists have documented six different strains of Coronavirus causing infections in human beings.
229E (alpha coronavirus)
NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
OC43 (beta coronavirus)
HKU1 (beta coronavirus)
MERS-CoV (causing MERS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)
SARS-CoV (causing SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
The first four types of Coronavirus produce mild symptoms, while the last two can cause severe symptoms which can even lead to complications.
But this time it is named as 2019-nCoV by World Health Organization (WHO) for its novelty.
What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?
The coronavirus affects the upper respiratory tract of human beings and causes common-cold like symptoms. Infected people experience a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, and headache. However, if MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV cause infection, then the symptoms become more severe.
Patients experience very high temperature, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and exacerbated asthma in these cases. There are also chances of developing complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, and kidney damage. The mortality rate of MERS-CoV is also much higher than the Novel Coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around three to four individuals out of ten patients succumb to this infection.
How does Coronovirus spread from infected patients to healthy individuals?
Coronavirus is a zoonotic virus originating primarily in animals like bat. However, it can also get transmitted to human beings if they come in direct contact with infected mediator animals. Human-to-human transmission of this virus can occur by contacting the secretions of infected individuals. Cough droplets, sneeze, handshake, or touching clothes and utensils of patients are some common mode of contracting the virus.
Is there any treatment for Coronavirus?
Currently, there is no specific treatment for Coronavirus. In most cases, patients notice an improvement in their conditions on their own. Drinking plenty of fluids, rest, and pain-relieving drugs can soothe the symptoms. However, if symptoms become severe, then doctors can prescribe medications to control the situation based on symptoms.
How can you prevent the spread of Coronavirus?
Here are some of the ways of limiting the spread of Coronavirus:
- Cleaning hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Covering mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing with a clean cloth.
- Infected person(s) should avoid direct contact with healthy people.
- Cleaning hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
