SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that is considered to have emerged from the Wuhan district of China and is responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially, the UN Health Agency had termed the outbreak an epidemic. But, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. The rampant spread of the disease has resulted in lockdowns across countries worldwide.
The amount of information available about this outbreak on the internet can be overwhelming. Sometimes, conflicting pieces of information can leave us confused. Not only is it important to ensure t hat you only seek information from reliable sources, here are five most basic yet important things everyone must know.
How Does it Spread
Coronavirus spreads from person to person through droplets exhaled through coughing or sneezing. You contract the virus from anyone who is already affected. In case you touch a surface contaminated by the respiratory droplets and then touch your eyes or nose, the virus could enter your system. It is important to remember that it is not airborne. The WHO is still researching on other methods through which the COVID-19 flue tends to spread.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Shortness of breath and fever are two of the most common COVID-19 symptoms. This virus can cause respiratory tract illnesses that can range from the common cold to the dangerous SARS. COVID-19 is a type of novel influenza virus, which can also have symptoms like runny nose, nasal congestion, diarrhea and sore throat, according to the World Health Organization. These are initially mild and start showing up only gradually.
Who Can Get Affected?
People who are above the age of 60 have highest risk of mortality due to impact of coronavirus. This is because their immune system is weak or they might have underlying ailments, such as heart problems, diabetes and high blood pressure. Underlying diseases also make younger people more vulnerable to the virus. Children can also get mild symptoms, but so far there have been a low number of children reported with the infection worldwide.
How to Prevent the Spread
A few simple precautions can go a long way to prevent the coronavirus spread. Wash your hands regularly with soap. If not, rub with an alcohol-based sanitizer. While coughing, cover your mouth with your hands or elbow. Maintain at least 2 meter of distance from an unwell person. Maintain good hygiene as much as possible. Lastly, in case you feel sick, make sure to stay at home.
Solutions are Being Researched
In most state and local public health labs, research is going on to discover an effective vaccine for COVID-19. The biology of the virus is being closely studied. This will help scientists to come up with drugs to treat it efficiently. Human trials have already begun to check for effective treatment. However, you must understand that it might take a year for such medication to become available for public use.
Make sure to download the Aarogya Setu mobile app, launched by the Indian government, for safety precautions and self tests. Also, read information from reliable and official websites only.
