What is COVID-19?
Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections and Coronavirus is one of these viruses. The coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, is a new strain of the coronavirus that has not been detected in people before. The virus was initially known as novel Coronavirus (nCoV-2019), but is now officially named Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The infectious disease caused by this virus is called COVID-19.
How did Covid-19 start?
The disease appears to have originated from the seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where marine animals, including fish, birds, rabbits, bats and snakes are illegally trafficked. Coronary viruses are known to be capable of transmission from animals to humans, so it is believed that the first people infected with the disease – a group that consists primarily of distressed people from the seafood market – have been infected by contact with animals.
The search for an animal source of Covid-19 is still unknown, although there are some powerful contenders. A team of virologists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology has released a detailed paper showing that the genetic makeup of new coronaviruses is 96 percent identical to that of the coronavirus found in bats, while a study published on March 26, 2020, says that the genetic sequence of the coronavirus is similar to the virus that infects humans significantly and the proportion of pendulum satins is between 88.5 and 92.4 percent, roughly the same proportions in the human virus. However, it appears that some early cases of MERS have caused people who are not connected to wuhan market at all, suggesting that the initial course of human infection may precede market history.
Wuhan Market was closed for Inspection and Sterilization on January 1, 2020, but by then it appears that Covid-19 has already begun to spread outside the market itself. On January 21, the WHO Office for the Western Pacific said the disease is also transmitted in humans – evidence of this after medical staff contracted the virus.
What are corona symptoms?
Covid-19 shares many of its symptoms with influenza or colds, although there are some common symptoms of influenza and colds that do not usually appear in Covid-19. People with confirmed Covid-19 conditions rarely suffer from runny nose, for example.
The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever and dry cough. Of the 55,924 early Chinese cases of the disease, nearly 90 percent of patients suffered from fever and just over two thirds suffered from dry cough. That’s why WHO Recommends Anyone with a new and persistent cough to stay at home for seven days, if they live with other people, the whole family should be isolated for 14 days from the first onset of symptoms to avoid transmission to others.
Other Covid-19 symptoms are less common. Just under 40 percent of people with the disease are tired, while a third of people cough sputum – thick mucus from inside the lungs. Other rare symptoms include shortness of breath, muscle pain, sore throat, headaches or chills, and loss of smell or taste. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms tend to appear five to six days after infection.
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INCLUDE:
- Fever
- Chills or night sweats
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Loss of sense of smell (anemia)
- Distortion of taste (dystonia)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Most people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate respiratory diseases.
How dangerous is the CORONA virus?
Most people with COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms. However, in more severe cases, breathing difficulties can develop into pneumonia.
People at high risk of infection include:
- Persons aged 70 or over
- Persons aged 65 or over with chronic medical conditions
- Those with weakened immune systems (e.g. people with cancer)
If you have severe difficulty breathing, call the ambulance immediately to avoid serious complications that may lead to death.
How does COVID-19 differ from seasonal influenza?
The cause of COVID-19 is a coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. Seasonal influenza is caused by different types of influenza virus.
Both diseases are infectious and can cause respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough and fever. However, there are some differences:
Influenza often contains muscle pain and headache, while these symptoms are less common in COVID-19.
To date, severe COVID-19 has mainly infected older age groups and people with chronic diseases, while severe cases of influenza can make healthy people, children and pregnant women very sick as well.
How does COVID-19 spread?
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is likely to spread from person to person through:
Direct contact with an infected person, including 48 hours before he becomes ill
Close contact with an infected person who does not take appropriate precautions when coughing or sneezing
Touch contaminated objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) and then touch the mouth or face
COVID-19 is a new disease, so there is no immunity present in our society. This means that it can spread widely and very quickly.
When do COVID-19 symptoms appear after infection?
In most cases, it takes up to 14 days for a person to develop symptoms after a person is infected with the coronary virus (COVID-19). The period is also known as the “incubation period”.
Based on currently available information and medical expertise, WHO advises people at risk of self-isolation in their homes for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms.
Can a person transmit COVID-19 to others before symptoms appear?
Yes, it seems that the transition can occur at least 24 hours before the onset of any symptoms. It is still under investigation, but evidence suggests that a person can spread a COVID-19 infection from about one day before symptoms first appear, even one day after symptoms stop.
How long can a person transfer COVID-19 to other people?
The duration of time a person remains contagious (and can transmit COVID-19 infection to others) is not yet known. However, some evidence suggests that a person can spread the infection from about one day before symptoms first appear until one day after the symptoms have disappeared.
How long can COVID-19 stay on surfaces?
It is uncertain how long COVID-19 can stay on surfaces, but it seems to be acting like other corona viruses. This means they can live on surfaces for a few hours or, in some circumstances, for several days. It can depend on the type of surface, temperature or humidity level in the environment.
If you think the surface may be infected, clean it with a common home disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Wash your hands with water and soap or clean them with alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
What should I do if I meet someone with COVID-19?
Usually “close contact” is face-to-face with the person for at least 15 minutes throughout the week, or in the same place closed for at least two hours.
If you have less connection, there is a much lower risk of COVID-19. However, as a precaution, you should monitor your health for 14 days after contact.
Therefore, you should be obliged to practice simple hygiene by:
- Often wash your hands with water and soap for 20 seconds, or use alcoholic hand sanitizer (e.g. before and after eating, and after going to the toilet).
- Cover the mouth when coughing and sneezing with a handkerchief and get rid of it immediately, wash your hands afterwards and if there is no napkin, the mouth should be covered using the attachment.
- Cough away from others
- Stay away from more than 1.5 meters from people when you are abroad, if possible.
How is COVID-19 diagnosed?
Your GP, medical staff at the test clinic or the hospital’s emergency department may take swabs from the back of your nose and throat, or fluids from your lungs to diagnose your illness. Swabs and fluids are sent to public health laboratories for COVID-19 testing.
Read more here about testing for the CORONA virus.
What is the “confirmed” or “probable” status of COVID-19?
The confirmed condition is the person who is tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. This requires special testing in public health laboratories.
The possible condition of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is a person:
He has symptoms of corona virus (COVID-19) and has not yet been tested and lives in the same home – or in a home-like environment, such as in boarding school or hostel – as a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection.
How is COVID-19 treated?
There is no specific treatment for people who have COVID-19. Confirmed or potential cases will be isolated to help avoid the spread of the disease to others.
Early diagnosis and general supportive care are important. Most often, symptoms disappear on their own. People with a serious infection, with complications such as pneumonia, can be cared for in hospital.
Are antibiotics required for COVID-19?
No, antibiotics are not effective against viruses, including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Unnecessary administration of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, a serious health care problem that affects everyone.
In some patients who develop pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia can occur. In this case, antibiotics are usually required.
How long does COVID-19 infection last?
The duration of COVID-19 varies from person to person. If you are healthy, mild symptoms may disappear after just a few days. If you have other health problems, such as lung or heart condition, recovery may take weeks. In really severe cases, COVID-19 can be fatal.
Why change the name of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19?
When a new strain of the coronavirus is discovered, it is called the “new” corona virus.
The virus that causes COVID-19 was called “Novel Coronavirus nCoV-2019” but has now been officially renamed SARS-CoV-2 (Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The disease caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) has been named by the World Health Organization. It was agreed that the name of the disease should not refer to places, animals or people in order to avoid stigma or prejudice.