Introduction
Fighting with a pandemic disease is really a challenge for whole the world and i am saying this because i have been through it. I have been practicing in this field for a long time and have come across a variety of diseases. The viruses are pathogen or disease carrier which affects approx 10% of world population every year and spread 1 billion infections, 3-5 million severe cases and 3 to 5 lac deaths every year. Here we will be discussing about Coronavirus or COVID-19 All FAQ’s and Treatment which is a new virus for the world and the worst thing is that we don’t have any vaccine to cure it.
What is COVID-19 ?
Novel Coronavirus which is also known as SARS CoV-2 ( Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome ) and officially known as Covid-19 ( Coronavirus Disease 2019 ) belongs to the Coronaviridae family of the viruses. It was initially found in the Animals like Cats,Bats,Camels etc. But with the time it went under some modifications and modified itself and now it infects Human beings too.
Covid-19 is an infection of upper respiratory system including- Nose,Throat,Lungs etc. that spreads directly or indirectly (through infected person). It is a new infection which was firstly found in the city Wuhan in China in 2019.
Nomenclature of Coronavirus.
When we examine this virus under an ultra microscope, it looks like a crown shape that has many spike proteins all over its body that’s why it is known as Corona means Crown shaped.
What is the meaning of Pandemic ?
A disease is declared as Pandemic if :
- It spreads one country to other country and then throughout the world.
- The rate of spreading is very high.
- The people has no immunity against this disease.
So you have to take precautions to get rid of such infections.
What are all the symptoms of COVID-19 ?
Coronavirus infection has the following symptoms in the beginning that lasts with chronic infection :
- Fever
- Cold
- Body Pains
- Tiredness
- Redness of eyes
- Runny Nose
- Sneezing
- Sore Throat
- coughing
- Breathing Problem
All the above symptoms are initial and lasts with chronic Pneumonia,Whooping Cough and may undergo ventilator.
NOTE : Out of 100 COVID-19 positive patients, 85 patients recover easily as in normal flu. But 15% patients need to admit in the hospitals on ventilator because of their history of other diseases or weak immunity system response.
Causes of Coronavirus (Covid-19)
The infection is caused by SARS- CoV-2 ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 ). This virus spread person to person through close contact ( within about 6 feet or 2 meters ).
How fatal the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is ?
Coronavirus has the high rate of infection but it’s not as fatal as SARS-1(2003) and MERS (2012). Coronavirus has mortality rate of 2.3% which means if 100 people were found infected with coronavirus, out of them only 2 person may undergo severe condition and may lead to death which is very low mortality rate than comparison to SARS-1(10%) and MERS (35%).
Low mortality rate yet COVID-19 is dangerous,Why ?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is not so fatal but it’s being worst because it’s a new infection hence people are not aware of it. Rumors are also increasing about the virus and lack of complete knowledge about effects of virus.
How does coronavirus spread ?
An infected person may spread the infection to a healthy individual through Sneezing, Coughing, Kissing and any other way of contact. You can also get the infection through infected materials like Handkerchief, Used Mask, Shaking hands, Touching, Clothes and any other infected item.
People can get COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person via small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets get stick on objects and surfaces around the person.
Do every COVID-19 infected person leads to death ?
No, Every infected person may not lead to death even 80% patients have mild symptoms which can be recovered easily within 2 weeks. People with self hygiene care and sanitation along with therapeutic care can easily get rid of this infection.
Who and How much is infected with COVID-19 ?
Mostly people with upper age above 60 years and kids under 10 years of age have the high chances of getting the chronic infection due to weak and low immunity response. Those people who have the following diseases or history of diseases should strictly follow the guidelines:
- Diabetes
- Cardiac Diseases
- Weak Immunity
- Respiratory Diseases ( Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema etc )
- Lungs Diseases ( Pneumonia )
- Kids less than 10 years
Does every sneezing or coughing has COVID-19 ?
No, Every sneezing or coughing cant have COVID-19 infection. Only If any individual having Fever, Cough, Breathing problem etc came in the contact with the history of any of the following- Coronavirus containment zone, Infected person, COVID-19 centers and Wards etc may have the COVID-19 infection.
Do children have the chance of getting COVID-19 infection ?
Children less than 18 years of age are found with mild infection ( around 2%) and out of these only 3% children are found with chronic infections.
Does COVID-19 spread through eatables ?
No, There is no evidence that proves it. Generally COVID-19 doesn’t spread through eatables. But for the safety purposes you should clean the eatables with water properly before consume them.
What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms infection ?
Covid-19 symptoms arise within 2-14 days with fever, cold,sore throat, cough when a person comes in the contact of infected person. But the person shouldn’t hesitate. The person should follow this:
- Take steam 2-5 times a day in order to get rid of respiratory system congestion.
- Drink plenty of warm water and stay at home and take rest.
- Wash your hands every 20-30 minutes and don’t touch your eyes, nose, mouth etc.
- Consult a nearby health center or doctor.
- Take medicines recommended by the doctor.
- Stay at home and quarantine yourself in order to reduce the chances of spread the infection.
Should a person undergo for testing if he has High fever, cough and breathing problem suddenly ?
No not at all, Corona test is always done after the prescription by the doctor under supervision.
Is COVID-19 test possible in every laboratory ?
No, Only Biosafety Level – 4 (BSL4) laboratories are advised to test the COVID-19 in the laboratory only. No samples are collected at home. There are 730 government labs and 270 private labs are available for testing.
Is it possible to treat COVID-19 infection ?
Yes, the treatment is available on the basis of symptoms. But there is no vaccine available for the Coronavirus so far but treatment is available.
Can a person having COVID-19 infection be recovered completely ?
Yes, 80% patients automatically recovered completely from the infection due to their strong immunity system and without any treatment.
Can eating a Garlic stops the COVID-19 infection ?
No,There is no such an evidence that prove this statement.
Can hot weather finish the outbreak of Coronavirus ?
In the opinion of some field experts, hot weather can decrease the outbreak of COVID-19.
How longer Coronavirus can alive on objects and surfaces ?
On the leaky objects like- paper, sponge, clothes etc it can alive for 8-10 hours and on packed objects like- glass, plastic, metal and varnish wood etc it can alive for 10-15 hours.
What type of diseases does COVID-19 spread ?
Coronavirus spreads a wide spectrum of diseases including from Normal cold and fever to Serious respiratory disease ( COPD ) that may lead to death of the patient.
Does COVID-19 affect Pets ?
No, there is no such a proof that prove this statement but you should always wash your hands before and after coming in the contact of pets and animals because there is no way to know whether coronavirus present in the animal’s fur or not.
What is actually done in the hospital with COVID-19 patients ?
The people with positive covid-19 are hospitalized in order to avoid the spread of infection. In the hospitals the main purpose is to maintain oxygenation of the patient (provide oxygen to the patient properly) and if condition gone worst the patient has to undergo ventilator. This is all done in the hospital with the covid-19 patient.
What is the main subject of worrying about COVID-19 ?
- COVID-19 virus is spreading continuously and rapidly.
- It is Being spread throughout the world, if it is not stopped, the whole world will have to face the bad economic conditions.
Whom and what to wear ?
- For general cold and cough-Always wear a mask made up cloths and wash your hands every 20-30 minutes.
- For COVID-19 – Wear 3 layer disposable surgical mask for Paramedical staff and health workers.
- N95 and N99 mask should be used for the person who comes in the contact of direct patients contact like doctors and nurses etc.
3 ways to protect from COVID-19
- Protect yourself : Wash your hands again and again with soap and keep a sanitizer along with you always. Don’t touch your eyes,nose,mouth. Use a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Always maintain social distance from others. Avoid hand shake instead of this do Adab or Namastey.
- Protect your beloved : Don’t travel unnecessarily.Use handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Wear a mask.
- Protect your community : Suggest others to protect them from this infection. Don’t forward any message to anyone without thinking. Follow specialists.
How to put on/off the mask ?
How to put on the mask:
- Before putting on the mask, first wash your hands with soap.
- Never touch middle part of the mask as it covers the nose and mouth.
- Properly tie up the laces of the mask.
How to put off the mask:
- Gently open the laces of mask.
- Dont touch the middle part of mask it may have many viruses now.
- Dispose off the mask in a dustbin and wash your hands with soap.
Note: Always use a 3 layer mask. Never touch your face, eyes,nose,mouth etc while you have put on the mask.
What’s new about COVID-19 ?
Previously if a person was infected with COVID-19, the patient has to undergo symptoms which is called as symptomatic but according to the latest research nowadays patients are identify COVID-19 positive without any symptoms. So stay at home mostly, maintain distance and guidelines.
How long does it take to recover from infection ?
For mild infection a patient recovers within 2 weeks but in case of chronic or severe infection it takes from 3-6 weeks to recover from the infection completely.
Useful links
