Coronavirus: Basic Information and Precautionary Measures

Abstract

Corona viruses are a large family of viruses which may cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus disease is COVID-19. The COVID-19 epidemic has spread very quickly. It took only 30 days to expand from Hubei to the rest of China since first detected in December 2019. The virus has spread to over 210 countries and territories across the globe in 3 months, and was characterised as a pandemic by the WHO. ICTV announced ‘severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)’ as the name of the new virus. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. This disease spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze through their droplets generated of saliva or discharge from the nose. People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19. Antibiotic is not useful in this disease. Also hydroxychloroquine has not yet been proven to cure coronavirus. It is still under clinical trial. Few countries have approved the use of convalescent plasma therapy as an experimental treatment in clinical trials and for critically ill COVID-19 patients without other treatment options. The most effective way is to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 by frequently cleaning your hands with an alcohol based hand rub or with soap and water, covering your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintaining a distance of at least 3 to 6 feet from people who are coughing or sneezing and avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth and following good respiratory hygiene. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Today the world is worried about increasing number of COVID-19 cases. In future, the cases of the COVID-19 may start decreasing when enough people develop immunity, either through infection or vaccination. Another possibility is that the virus will continue to circulate and establish itself as a common respiratory virus. Every beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning. But instead of waiting for future, people must take steps to reduce the spreading of this virus by precautionary measures and following the guidelines by authorities.