COVID-19

Najma Previa Jati/ XI MIA 1 (20)

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that causes respiratory illnesses

in humans ranging from common colds to more severe conditions such as Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome
(MERS).
'Novel coronavirus' on the other hand is a new, previously unidentified strain
of coronavirus. The novel coronavirus involved in the current outbreak has been
named SARS-CoV-2 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the disease it
causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (or “COVID-19”).
The source of the coronavirus is believed to be a "wet market" in Wuhan
which sold both dead and live animals including fish and birds. Such markets pose
a heightened risk of viruses jumping from animals to humans because hygiene
standards are difficult to maintain if live animals are being kept and butchered on-
site. Typically, these markets are also densely packed allowing the disease to
spread from species to species and from animals to humans.
The animal source of COVID-19 has not yet been identified, but the original
host is thought to be bats. Bats were not sold at the Wuhan market but may have
infected live chickens or other animals sold there.
Similar to other respiratory illnesses, the symptoms of COVID-19 may include
fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Even so, COVID-19 is different from these
two other coronaviruses, SARS and MERS, in that the spectrum of disease is
broader, with around 80 percent of cases leading to a mild infection. There may
also be many people carrying the disease and displaying no symptoms, making it
even harder to control. Symptoms can start to show up anywhere from two to 14
days after exposure to the virus so it may be possible for an infected person who is
not yet showing any symptoms to spread the virus. People infected with COVID-19
may experience any range of these symptoms along with aches and pains, nasal
congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and diarrhea.
Older persons, terminally ill people and those with pre-existing medical
illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, however, seem to be more likely to
experience severe respiratory symptoms and complications. Furthermore, the
symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to those of a cold or the flu, making it
challenging to differentiate it from other respiratory illnesses.
COVID-19 can spread from person to person usually through close contact
with an infected person or through respiratory droplets that are dispersed into the
air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to get the
virus by touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus and then touching
your mouth, nose or eyes, but it is not thought to be the main way the virus
spreads.
There are currently no treatments, drugs, or vaccines available to treat or
prevent COVID-19. For now, people infected with the virus should receive medical
treatment to relieve and alleviate the symptoms they are experiencing.