Novel COVID - 19

COVID-19 : COrona VIrus Disease -2019

    As we all are almost aware about COVID-19 Pandemic situation which has been spread worldwide.

    Epidemic remains are limited to one city , region or country , a pandemic spreads beyond national borders and possibly worldwide.

    COVID-19 is a disease that develops due to infection from a type of Coronavirus.

    Coronavirus : Any of a group of RNA viruses that cause a variety of diseases in humans and other animals.

✳️ Types :

 • Four human coronaviruses produce symptoms that are generally mild :

  1) Human Coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) , beta-CoV.

  2) Human Coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) , beta-CoV.

  3) Human Coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) , alpha-CoV.

  4) Human Coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) , alpha-CoV.

 • Three human coronaviruses produce symptoms that are potentially severe :

  1) Middle East Respiratory Syndrome related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), beta-CoV.

  2) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), beta-CoV.

  3) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), beta-CoV.

     In December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China.

(Pneumonia : Air sacs fill with fluid or pus. Infection can be life-threatening particularly to infants, children, and people over 65 yrs).

    On 31 December 2019, the outbreak was traced to novel strain of Coronavirus, which was given the name 2019-CoV by World Health Organisation(WHO) , later renamed as SARS-CoV-2  by International Committee on Taxonomy of viruses.

    The Wuhan strain has been identified as a new strain of Beta-cornavirus from group 2B with appearance of 70% genetic similarity to SARS-CoV.

    The virus has a 96% similarity to a bat Coronavirus so it is widely suspected to originate from bats as well.

   The pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions and nationwide lockdowns in many countries.

✳️ Symtoms:

    COVID-19 affects different people in different ways . Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.

•Most Common Symptoms:

    1) Fever

    2) Dry cough

    3) Tiredness

•Less Common Symptoms:

    1) Aches and pains

    2) Sore throat

    3) Diarrhoea (loose motions)

    4) Conjunctivitis

    5) Headache

    6) Loss of taste or smell

    7) A rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes.

 

•Serious symptoms:

    1) Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

    2) Chest pain or pressure.

    3) Loss of speech r movement.

       🚨 Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms.🚑

      

      On an average signs and symptoms of COVID -19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

✳️ Coronavirus tests :

  1) Viral or diagnostic : A viral test can tell you if you are currently infected with Coronavirus that cause COVID-19.

  2) Antibody test : An antibody test an show if you were previously exposed to or infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, and if your body has created antibodies in an attempt to defend itself . It takes atleast 12 days after exposure for your body to make enough antibodies to show-up on a test.

    This test helps scientists to gather data about how the immune system fights off COVID-19 in recovered patients.

  3) Swab test : A special swab is used to take a sample from nose or throat.

  4) Nasal aspirate : A saline solution will be injected into your nose and then a sample is taken with a light suction.

  5) Tracheal aspirate : A thin tube with a torch, also known as a bronchoscope, is put into your mouth to reach your lungs from where a sample is collected.

  6) Sputum test : Sputum is thick mucous that gets accumulated in lungs and comes out with a cough. During this test, you are required to cough up sputum in special cup or swab is used to take a sample from your nose.

  7) Blood test : Blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm.

  8) Rapid diagnostic test : it is based on antigen detection. This test helps to detect viral proteins (antigens) related to COVID-19 virus.

  9) Rapid diagnostic test based on host antibody detection : This test detects the presence of antibodies in the blood of COVID-19 infected people.

✳️ Prevention :

 

  • Clean your hands repeatedly, use soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub .

  • Maintaining a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

  • Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.

  • Don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with your bend elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

  • Stay home of you feel unwell.

  • If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms, seek medical attention.

🚨 NOTE :

   When you have used alcohol based hand rub do not go near 🔥 fire or gas cylinder . It can cause you harm due to flamable reaction occurence.

   Mask alone do not protect against COVID-19 it should be combined with physical distancing and hand hygiene. 

    Front portion of mask should not be touched or handled during use. 

   Maintain atleast 1m (3 feet ) distance between yourself and others.

  🏘️ Stay home, stay safe .

  Hope this situation comes to control as early as possible.

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