What to know about coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronaviruses often infect the respiratory tract of birds and mammals, including humans. Doctors include common colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory infections (SARS), and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). These germs can also affect the intestines.
Coronaviruses often cause the common cold, or they may be more susceptible to more serious infections.
Over the past 80 years, scientists have discovered that these viruses can affect rats, mice, dogs, cats, turkeys, horses, pigs, and cattle. In some cases, these animals transmit the virus to humans.
Recently, authorities identified a new outbreak of coronavirus in China that has spread to other countries. The virus is called acute acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and can cause COVID-19.
In this article, we will discuss the different types of human coronavirus, their symptoms, and how humans transmit them. We also focus on three of the most dangerous infections caused by coronaviruses: COVID-19, SARS, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
Stay up to date with the latest updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.
What is a coronavirus?
Researchers began identifying coronavirus in 1937, distinguishing one species that had bronchitis in birds that had the potential to destroy chickens.
Scientists found evidence of human coronaviruses in the 1960's, in the nostrils of people with the common cold.
Human coronaviruses found mainly include 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1.
The term “coronavirus” comes from crown-like projects in their respective fields. The word “Corona” in Latin means “halo” or “crown.”
Among humans, coronavirus infection usually occurs during the winter months and early spring.
COVID-19
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began monitoring the outbreak of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which produces COVID-19. Authorities first discovered the virus in Wuhan, China.
Since then, the virus has spread to nearly every country, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare an epidemic.
This new coronavirus is responsible for millions of infections worldwide, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. The United States has the highest death toll.
The first people with COVID-19 had links to the animal and ocean market. This suggests that animals initially transmitted the virus to humans. Then, people who do not have contact with the market produce the disease, ensuring that people can transmit the virus to each other.
Most people who receive COVID-19 will have a lower risk of infection. According to the WHO, about 80% of people who receive COVID-19 will recover without needing to be hospitalized.
The remaining 20% are very ill and have difficulty breathing.
Other groups are at risk of developing serious illnesses, including the elderly and people with basic medical problems, including high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, and cancer.
The death rate varies from country to country. In the U.S., the death toll is about 6%.
According to the CDC, children are not at higher risk of COVID-19 than adults.
Pregnant women appear to have the same risk of COVID-19 as other adults. However, during pregnancy, women are at greater risk of serious illness from viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and the flu.
The CDC also recommends that infants born to women with COVID-19 suspected or confirmed be isolated.
Symptoms of COVID-19
According to the CDC, people can begin to feel symptoms within 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Symbols can include:
the flu
Cold
cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
traffic congestion or runny nose
fatigue
head
muscle pain
new loss of taste or smell
nausea or vomiting
diarrhea
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. However, scientists are now reproducing the virus. This can allow early detection and treatment of infected people who do not have symptoms.
According to the CDC, the following groups are at high risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19:
people 65 years of age or older
people living in nursing homes or nursing homes
people of any age with serious medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe heart conditions, obesity, compromised immune system, or diabetes
The CDC notes that although there have been reports of problems with young children, this is rare. COVID-19 often produces mild symptoms in children.
Common symptoms of coronavirus infections
Cold or flu symptoms are usually set up 2-4 days after infection. Often, the symptoms are mild, or they vary from person to person. For some people, a coronavirus infection is fatal.
Symbols can include:
curved nose
a headache
cough
the flu
sore throat
to feel good
While scientists can easily breed rhinos - which also cause common colds - in the laboratory, this is not the case with coronaviruses. This makes it difficult to measure the effect of these viruses.
There is currently no cure for colds caused by coronaviruses. Treatment includes self-care and prescription drugs.
Taking the following steps can help:
rest and avoid overwork
drinking plenty of water
avoid smoking and smoking areas
taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce pain and fever
using a clean humidifier or a cool vaporizer
The doctor may identify a virus that is responsible for a fluid sample in a person's body, such as a blood sample or nasal mucus.
Types
Coronaviruses belong to the small family Coronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae.
The different types of coronavirus vary, depending on the size of the disease they are causing and how widespread it is.
Doctors are currently identifying seven types of coronavirus that can be transmitted to humans.
Common types include:
229E (alpha coronavirus)
NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
OC43 (beta coronavirus)
HKU1 (beta coronavirus)
Microbes that cause the most serious illnesses include MERS-CoV, which causes MERS disease, and SARS-CoV, the virus that is responsible for SARS.
In 2019, a new strain, called SARS-CoV-2, began to spread, causing the disease COVID-19.
Transfers
The CDC recommends that people wear cloth masks in public places where it is difficult to keep physically apart. This will help reduce the spread of the virus from people who do not know they have it, including those with asymptomatic. People should wear face masks while continuing to exercise. Instructions for making masks at home are available here. Note: It is important that N95 surgical and respiratory masks are kept for health workers.
Researchers believe that germs transmit fluid from the respiratory tract, such as mucus.
For example, coronavirus can be spread when a person:
coughing or sneezing without closing the mouth, scattering drops in the air
it affects a person with the disease
it affects the infected area, then affects their nose, eyes, or mouth
Some animal coronaviruses can be transmitted to humans through contact with feces, or it is unclear whether human coronaviruses can be transmitted in the same way.
Coronaviruses will infect many people over time.
To prevent transmission, people with symptoms should stay home, relax, and avoid contact with people.
Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing can also help prevent transmission. It is important to dispose of used tissue immediately and to maintain good hygiene at home.
SARS
SARS is an infectious disease that results from an infection with the SARS-CoV coronavirus. In many cases, it leads to a life-threatening form of pneumonia.
In November 2002, the virus began spreading into Guangdong province in southern China and eventually reaching Hong Kong. From there, it spread rapidly, infecting more than 24 countries.
Experts no longer view SARS as a risk. Since 2003, there have been only a few cases due to laboratory accidents or, perhaps, transfers from animals.
SARS-CoV affects the upper and lower respiratory tract.
SARS symptoms develop over a week and start with the flu. Initially, people developed flu-like symptoms, such as:
dry cough
Cold
diarrhea
breathing
pains
Pneumonia, a serious lung infection, often develops. In its most advanced stage, SARS causes lung, heart, or liver failure.
According to the CDC, authorities reported 8,098 people contracted SARS during the outbreak. Of these, 774 died from the disease. This represents a mortality rate of 9.6%.
Problems are more common in older adults. According to one source, over half of those who died from the disease were over 65 years of age. The authorities finally took control of SARS in July 2003.
MERS
MERS is caused by the MERS-CoV coronavirus. Scientists first discovered the deadly disease in 2012 after it originated in Saudi Arabia. Since then, it has spread to other lands.
The virus has reached the U.S. However, only two people in the country were tested with MERS-CoV, and this was in 2014. As a result, the CDC says the risk of developing MERS in the U.S. is very low.
MERS symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, and cough.
The disease is spread by close contact with infected people.
A 2019 study on MERS found that the disease is fatal to 35.2% of people who develop it.
Keep up to date with the current COVID-19 outbreak. ICDC has the resources to reduce the risk of infection.