Introduction

A family of viruses that infects the nose, sinus, upper throat and the entire respiratory tract and causes ailments ranging from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(spreads from camels to human beings) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(spreads from civet cats to human beings) is called Coronavirus. While most of the coronaviruses are not dangerous, some of them can be gravely serious. Here are some COVID-19 – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment

First recognised in the year 1960, Coronaviruses do not have a fixed origin. They are crown-shaped and cause infections in both human beings and animals.

The new Coronavirus – also called a novel Coronavirus or n CoV has not previously been recognised in human beings, hence, it is referred to as a new strain by medical fraternity all over the globe.

New Coronavirus Outbreak

In early January 2020, WHO (World Health Organisation) recognised a new Coronavirus in China. It is called 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). According to the recent statistics, around 4,500 cases of new coronavirus outbreak have been recorded till now. The number of deaths due to human Coronavirus is on a steep rise. Currently, the total death count is 106 worldwide.

The severe cases of Coronavirus first came to light in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. The city had a large sea-animals market which is closed now, thanks to the increasing number of Coronavirus cases. It is alleged that the virus has spread from animals to humans through direct contact. Another possibility is that its transmission happened via air.

Coronavirus in India

In India, over 100 patients who are showing symptoms of the disease are kept under observation in the states of Kerala and Maharashtra. However, none of them is confirmed yet.

Signs and Symptoms of Coronavirus

As per the WHO guidelines, the following are the Coronavirus symptoms in humans:

Infection that causes high fever, runny nose, cough, cold, muscle pain, fatigue and breathing problems.
Pneumonia that results in loss of appetite, sharp chest pain, nausea and vomiting etc.
Others: Severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure

Coronavirus is responsible for causing a wide array of ailments, ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening.

The incubation period of Coronavirus is estimated to be 10-14 days.

Diagnosis of Coronavirus

Specific lab tests including the ones that are done to check respiratory specimens and serum are recommended by the healthcare providers to diagnose Coronaviruses. PCR nasal swab testing is also recommended by the health experts for a more clear-cut diagnosis.

In case, you are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus, you must tell your healthcare provider about your travel history, food that you have been eating and animals that you have been in close contact with in the recent past.

Other diagnosis tests for Coronavirus include nose and throat check-ups.

Precautions for Coronavirus

Protecting yourself from Coronavirus

Wash your hands frequently using soap and running tap water. Make sure you do it in a proper manner, taking at least 20 seconds. Also, do not forget to wash your hands after touching an animal.
Do not touch your nose, eyes and mouth with unclean or bare hands.
Keep away from sick people to reduce the risk of catching the deadly Coronavirus especially when you are in crowded spaces.
Regularly clean objects like doorknobs, keyboards, table surfaces, telephone handsets etc. using virucidal agents like Clorox, trigene advance etc. to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Build your immunity by regularly exercising and eating a nutritious balanced diet. Moderate exercising is recommended by the experts. You can also practice meditation and other mental exercises to keep yourself stress-free.

Protecting others from Coronavirus

If you have flu-like symptoms, it’s best to stay home.
Try and avoid close contact with other people.
Whenever you cough or sneeze, make sure that you properly cover your mouth using a cloth or a tissue paper. Do not forget to wash your hands every time you cough or sneeze.

Moreover, make sure that you keep your surroundings clean. It’s good to disinfect floors and other surfaces using a disinfectant cleaner liquid and protect yourself as well as others from the deadly Coronavirus

It is also recommended to use gloves, masks and goggles to prevent droplet transmission.

Coronavirus Treatment

The treatment of Coronavirus is similar to that of any flu illness. Check below:

Take enough rest.
Drink more and more fluids.
Treat your sore throat and other cold symptoms using over-the-counter medications. Paracetamol and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen are the recommended medicines. Decongestants can also be used. However, one needs be extra cautious when providing elderly people with over-the-counter medications as they can affect their overall health in a negative way and make them more vulnerable.
Integrated as well as herbal medicinal therapy help in the treatment of Coronavirus.

If the symptoms become worse or do not go away on their own, contact your healthcare provider and seek medical assistance as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions: Coronavirus

How dangerous is Coronavirus?

2019 novel coronavirus is new to medical sciences. According to medical scientists, human beings haven’t developed the necessary immunity to fight this virus yet, which makes Coronavirus infection particularly dangerous.

The world is at the risk of a global pandemic with the advent of 2019 novel Coronavirus. If proper actions are not taken by the health authorities and individuals, the outbreak can become deadly.

Health officials all around the globe are looking forward to precisely evaluate the situation and suggest measures accordingly. However, if things keep going downhill, the World Health Organization would soon announce Coronavirus as a global health emergency.

Some scientists are of the view that the new Coronavirus is comparatively less dangerous than its past counterparts such as SARS and MERS.

How is Coronavirus transmitted?

The new Coronavirus adapts and mutates, meaning it can spread far and wide quite easily which makes it further challenging when it comes to the treatment. Also, there is no clear evidence that shows the coronavirus also transmits through the respiratory tract.

Coronavirus spread from the infected people to healthy ones through coughing, sneezing, coming in contact with things that have been touched by the person/animal carrying the infection.

It is also transmitted via indirect contact. For instance, when a person suffering from Coronavirus sneezes or coughs, he or she releases droplets(invisible to the naked eyes) that get stuck to the surfaces such as doorknobs, railings and even smartphones. If a healthy person gets in contact with these droplets, he or she can also get the Coronavirus.

Does Coronavirus spread from animals to humans?

Yes, Coronavirus may spread from animals to humans. Such exchanges result in diseases called zoonotic diseases.

It spreads from animals to humans when meat or other products that are derived from animals are consumed by human beings. Meat and related food, if not cooked properly that too in unhygienic environments can also facilitate the spread of the Coronavirus.

Is there a vaccine for Coronavirus?

No, currently there is no vaccine available to protect you from the life-threatening Coronavirus. However, the medical fraternity is putting enormous efforts to find solutions to control this growing epidemic.

Since there is no vaccine available, it is best to indulge in hygiene practices and reduce the risk of transmission of Coronavirus.

Any group of people particularly at risk of Coronavirus?

People who have a weak immune system or the ones who are already suffering from severe medical conditions of lungs and heart besides those who are on Immunosuppressive drugs and anti-cancerous drugs are particularly at risk of Coronavirus. Older people are also considered vulnerable to this deadly virus.

Does a mask protect me against Coronavirus?

N-99 and N-95 masks are recommended to use in order to protect yourself. They prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus especially when you are travelling or in crowded spaces. However, these masks must be worn in a proper manner to ensure full protection.

Does Coronavirus affect organs other than the respiratory tract?

Yes, it may. In case, a person infected with Coronavirus develops pneumonia, he or she may suffer from acute kidney failure. If the virus spreads in the body further, there is a possibility of multi-organ failure as well.

Safe Summers

Best Ways To Protect Yourself From Heat

Summer is a time to enjoy outdoor activities and eat a variety of foods such as ice-cream and cool drinks. But this weather poses challenges and can result in various health concerns. To have a happy and safe summer, one needs to be extra careful to prevent the hazardous effects of the weather. Here’s a list of some methods which will help you stay cool and safe this summer.

Stay away from heat during peak heat hours and protect yourself.

Try to stay inside especially from noon to around 3 pm, when the sun’s rays are directly perpendicular. If you have to go out cover your eyes and wear wide brimmed hats to protect yourself. Try to wear loose fitted clothes and protect yourself from getting exposed to direct sun and use sunscreen with a high SPF content whenever possible.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) using air conditioners at home is the best way to protect oneself from heat-related illnesses.

Hydrate yourself

Dehydration can lead to various problems such as heat stroke. It is extremely essential to keep oneself hydrated, so keep on drinking water and liquids all around the day to keep yourself hydrated. A good amount of water is lost during perspiration; hence to compensate the lost water one must drink at least 7-8 glasses of water each day. It is also good to consume fruits and vegetables high in water content such as watermelons.

If you are dehydrated, you may experience below signs and symptoms:

Excessive thirst
Dry mouth
Headache
Cramping in muscles
Confusion

The best way to prevent dehydration is to slowly start consuming water. However, one must be careful not to guzzle an entire glass at an instance, as it might add an extra load to the stomach. Alcohol should be avoided, as it leaves the body dehydrated.

Be extra vigilant, if you suffer from below problems:

Heat cramps

Dehydration can lead to painful muscle cramps in legs and abdomen. Start massaging the cramped area and start rehydrating your body by slowly consuming water.

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a serious condition which happens due to an extreme exposure to hot weather conditions. Usually, such individuals perspire heavily and their skin turns cold and clammy. It’s important to immediately shift the affected person to an air-conditioned environment. Rehydrating the person slowly with the water is essential to reverse heat exhaustion.

Heatstroke (or sunstroke)

Long hours of exposure or extreme physical exertion under the summer sun can lead to an extremely dangerous condition known as heat stroke. Unlike with heat exhaustion, people experiencing heatstroke have hot dry skin and a high body temperature — and they often have stopped sweating.

Sun and skin cancer

Sun rays have ultra violet light, which is extremely dangerous to the skin; exposure can result in skin tanning and ultimately can lead to skin cancer. Extreme exposure to sun can also cause sunburn, eye damage, and premature wrinkles.

It is important to cover oneself with proper clothing; broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and staying indoors can also help one from the damage caused to skin.

How to choose a good sunscreen to protect your skin?

According to US Food and Drug Administration regulations require labels to follow certain guidelines. Below are certain labels which should be present, while you are choosing a sunscreen for yourself:

Choose a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” protection. A broad spectrum sunscreen means it should protect against both UVA and UVB radiations. UVB radiations cause sunburns and most of the sunscreen protect against it. But, UVA radiations cause skin cancer and ageing. Hence, a broad spectrum sunscreen should only be used.
Choose sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Sunscreen with higher SPF not only protects for a longer period of time, but also has the capacity to filter higher percentage of UV rays. Example: SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreens filter out about 97%; SPF 50 sunscreens filter about 98%, and SPF 100 filter about 99%. According to FDA sunscreens with SPF 15 or lesser protect only against sun burns not against the skin cancers.
While choosing sunscreen you must be carefully observe that “Water resistant” does not mean “waterproof.” No sunscreens are waterproof or “sweat proof”. It is advisable to reapply sunscreen after every 2 hours.

Protect yourself from viral diseases-cold, flu and viral fever

During the summer, the body weakens and becomes susceptible to viral infections. You can take some preventive steps to protect yourself against infections. Below are few steps which you can take:

Ask your doctor if you can have a flu vaccination.
Wash your hands regularly and keep your surroundings clean.
Consume antioxidant rich foods, foods with lots of vitamins and minerals to strengthen your immune system.
Exercise regularly to keep your immune system fight against infection.

Protect yourself from mosquito borne diseases

Indian summers harbor mosquitoes, especially during the monsoons. Mosquito-borne diseases result primarily due to viruses, bacteria or parasites and are transmitted by mosquito bite. To protect yourself from dangerous diseases like malaria, dengue take below mentioned preventive steps:

Use a mosquito repellent
Plan your day outdoor activities when mosquitoes are less active
Wear full covered clothes
Avoid standing water
Use a mosquito net
Keep the air circulated by using fans. It will make mosquitoes difficult to fly near you

Water-borne illnesses

Summers also harbor many water-borne illnesses like Jaundice, cholera and diahrrea. To protect from those infections follow some below mentioned steps by:

Practicing good sanitation methods.
Drinking boiled or chemically treated water
Avoid contaminated foods such as street foods
Food consumed should be properly cooked, as these viruses are heat prone and get killed easily with boiling and heating.
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled
When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel them yourself.
Wash your hands properly before consuming food.

Tag: COVID-19

Corona Virus

COVID-19 – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment