General Symptoms And Treatment Of Coronavirus
General Symptoms And Treatment Of Coronavirus
In the following article we’ll talk about an important topic that’s “General Symptoms And Treatment Of Coronavirus” lets discuss about it:
What Is A Coronavirus?
Researchers first isolated a coronavirus in 1937. They found a coronavirus which was actually responsible for an infectious bronchitis virus in birds that had the ability to devastate poultry stocks.
Scientists first found evidence of human coronaviruses (HCoV) within the 1960s in the noses of individuals with the common cold. Two human coronaviruses are actually responsible for a very large proportion of common colds: OC43 and 229E.
The name “coronavirus” actually comes from the crown-like projections or image on their surfaces. In Latin language the word “Corona” actually refers to “crown” or “halo.”
Among humans, coronavirus infections most frequently occur during the winter months and early spring. People regularly become ill with a cold because of a coronavirus and will catch the same one about 4 months later.
This is because coronavirus antibodies don’t last for a long period of time. Also, the antibodies for one strain of coronavirus could also be ineffective against another one.
COVID-19
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started monitoring the outbreak of a brand new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes the respiratory illness or disease now referred to as COVID-19. Authorities first identified the virus in Wuhan, China.
Since then, the virus has spread to other countries, both in as well as outside Asia, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare this as a pandemic.
As of March 23, over 340,000 people have contracted the virus worldwide, causing over 14,000 deaths.
In the U.S., the virus has affected over 35,000 people, leading to more than 450 deaths.
The 1st people with COVID-19 actually had links to an animal and seafood market. This fact actually suggested that animals were the one who initially transmitted the virus to humans. However, people with a more recent diagnosis actually had no connections with or exposure to the market, which further confirmed that humans can actually pass the virus to each other.
Information on the virus is scarce at present. In the past, respiratory conditions that develop from coronaviruses, like SARS and MERS, have spread through close contacts.
On February 17, 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation or WHO presented at a media briefing the following given updates on how often the symptoms of COVID-19 are severe or fatal, by actually using data from 44,000 people with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID- 19:
In case the stage of severity is Mild disease from which a person can recover, then the rough percentage of people with COVID-19 is more than 80%. If it is on the stage of Severe disease, causing breathlessness and pneumonia then the rough percentage of people with COVID-19 is around 14%. And if it is at Critical stage, including septic shock, respiratory failure, and the failure of more than one organ the a rough percentage of about 5% people are detected with COVID-19. Also the cases of the satge of severity to be fatal disease is about 2%.
The WHO or World Health Organisation reports that the two groups that most at risk of experiencing severe and fatal illness because of a SARS-CoV-2 infection are older adults, referred as “over 60 years old”, as well as individuals or people who have other health conditions that actually compromise their immune system.
According to the CDC, children aren’t at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults.
While currently there are absolutely no published scientific reports about the susceptibility of pregnant women, the CDC actually notes that:
“Pregnant women experience immunologic and physiologic changes which could make them more susceptible or vulnerable to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19.”
The CDC even recommend that infants born to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are actually placed in isolation as a “person or individual under investigation.”
Symptoms Of COVID-19
Symptoms vary from person-to-person with COVID-19. It may produce few or no symptoms. However, it can even result in severe illness and may actually be fatal. Common symptoms include:
- fever
- breathlessness
- cough
- potential loss of taste or smell
It may take 2–14 days for an individual to actually notice symptoms after infection.
No vaccine is currently available for COVID-19. However, scientists have now replicated the virus. This could actually allow for early detection and treatment in people that have the virus but aren’t yet showing symptoms.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that several groups of individuals have the highest risk of developing complications because of COVID-19. These groups include:
- young children
- people aged 65 years or older
- women who are pregnant
The CDC advise that although there have actually been reports of complications in young children, these are rare. COVID-19 most commonly produces mild symptoms in children.
General Symptoms Of Coronaviruses
Cold or flu like symptoms generally set in from 2–4 days after a coronavirus infection as well as are typically quite mild. However, symptoms vary from person-to-person, and a few types of the virus can be fatal.
Symptoms may include:
- sneezing
- runny nose
- fatigue
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- exacerbated asthma
Scientists cannot easily cultivate human coronaviruses within the laboratory unlike the rhinovirus, which is another reason for the common cold. This makes it difficult to actually gauge the impact of the coronavirus on national economies and public health.
As of now there is actually no cure for coronaviruses that cause symptoms resembling the common cold. Treatments include self-care and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. People can take several steps, including:
- resting and avoiding overexertion
- drinking enough water
- avoiding smoking and smoky areas
- taking acetaminophen for pain and fever
- using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
A doctor can diagnose the virus responsible by taking a sample of respiratory fluids, like mucus from the nose, or blood.
Types
Coronaviruses actually belong to the subfamily Coronavirinae within the family Coronaviridae.
Many varioy types of human coronaviruses which actually vary in how severe the resulting disease becomes, as well as how far they can spread.
Doctors currently recognize 7 different types of coronavirus that can actually infect humans.
Common types of these include:
- 229E (alpha coronavirus)
- NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
- OC43 (beta coronavirus)
- HKU1 (beta coronavirus)
Rarer strains that actually cause more severe complications include MERS-CoV that actually causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), as well as SARS-CoV, the virus are actually responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
In 2019, a brand new strain called SARS-CoV-2 started circulating, causing the disease COVID-19.
Transmission
Limited research is actually available on how HCoV spreads from one person to the next.
However, researchers believe that the viruses transmit via fluids within the respiratory system, like mucus.
Coronaviruses can spread in the following ways:
- Coughing as well as sneezing without covering the mouth can actually disperse droplets into the air.
- Touching or shaking hands with an individual who has the virus can pass the virus between individuals.
- After touching or making contact with a surface or object that has been infected by the virus and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
- Some animal coronaviruses, like feline coronavirus (FCoV), may spread through contact with feces. However, it’s unclear whether this also applies to human coronaviruses.
Coronaviruses will infect most of the people at some time during their lifetime.
Coronaviruses can actually mutate effectively, which further makes them so contagious.
To prevent transmission, people should actually stay at home and rest while symptoms are active. They should even avoid close contact with other individuals.
Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing can even help prevent transmission. It is important to dispose of or get rid of any tissues after use and maintain hygiene around the home.
SARS
SARS is actually a contagious disease that develops after infection by the SARS-CoV coronavirus. Typically, it results in a life threatening type of pneumonia.
During November 2002, the virus actually started in the guangdong province in Southern China, which eventually reached Hong Kong. From there, it rapidly spread all around the world, causing infections in more than 24 countries.
SARS-CoV can actually infect both the upper as well as lower respiratory tracts.
The symptoms of SARS develop over the course of a week and actually start with a fever. Early on or initially in the condition, individuals actually develop flu-like symptoms, such as:
- dry coughing
- chills
- diarrhea
- breathlessness
- aches
Pneumonia, a severe lung infection, usually develops. At its most advanced or last stage, SARS further causes failure of the heart, lungs, or even liver.
According to the CDC, authorities have actually marked 8,098 individuals or people as having contracted SARS during its outbreak. Of these, 774 infections were fatal. This equates to a mortality rate of 9.6%.
Complications are more likely in older adults, and 1/2 of all people over 65 years of age who became ill failed to survive. Authorities eventually controlled SARS in July 2003.
However, it can actually still occur after infection with SARS-CoV.
MERS
MERS spreads because of the coronavirus called MERS-CoV. Scientists first recognized this severe respiratory illness or disease in 2012 after it surfaced in Saudi Arabia. Since then, it has spread to other countries.
The virus has reached the U.S., while the biggest outbreak outside the Arabian Peninsula occurred in South Korea in 2015.
Symptoms of MERS include fever, breathlessness, and coughing. The illness spreads through close contact with individuals who already have an infection. However, all cases of MERS have links to individuals who have recently returned from traveling to the Arabian Peninsula .
A 2019 study on MERS found that the disease is fatal in 35.2% of individuals who contract it.