Virus More Deadly Than World War III - The Coronavirus!

BY DR. YESH SHARMA

Introduction

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are the largest group of viruses belonging to the Nidovirales order, which includes Coronaviridae, Arteriviridae, and Roniviridae families. The Coronavirinae comprise one of two subfamilies in the Coronaviridae family, with the other being the Torovirinae. The Coronavirinae are further subdivided into four groups, the alpha, beta, and gamma and delta coronaviruses. The viruses were initially sorted into these groups based on serology but are now divided by phylogenetic clustering.

What are the symptoms?

Doctors are learning new things about this virus every day. So far, we know that COVID-19 may not initially cause any symptoms for some people. You may carry the virus for 2 days or up to 2 weeks before you notice symptoms. Some common symptoms that have been specifically linked to COVID-19 include:

• shortness of breath
• having a cough that gets more severe over time
• a low-grade fever that gradually increases in temperature

These symptoms may become more severe in some people. Call emergency medical services if you or someone you care for have any of the following symptoms:

• trouble breathing
• blue lips or face
• persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• confusion
• excessive drowsiness

The full list of symptoms is still being investigated.

COVID-19 versus The Seasonal Flu

We are still learning about whether the 2019 coronavirus is more or less deadly than the seasonal flu. Here are some common symptoms of the flu:

• cough
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• fever
• headache
• fatigue
• chills
• body aches

What causes the disease?

Coronaviruses are zoonotic. This means they first develop in animals before developing in humans. For the virus to pass from animal to humans, a person has to come into close contact with an animal that carries the infection. Once the virus develops in people, coronaviruses can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. This is a technical name for the wet stuff that moves through the air when you cough or sneeze. The viral material hangs out in these droplets and can be breathed into the respiratory tract (your windpipe and lungs), where the virus can then lead to an infection. The 2019 coronavirus hasn’t been definitively linked to a specific animal. Researchers believe that the virus may have been passed from bats to another animal — either snakes or pangolins — and then transmitted to humans. This transmission likely occurred in the open food market in Wuhan, China.

Who’s at an increased risk?

You’re at high risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2 if you come into contact with someone who’s carrying it, especially if you’ve been exposed to their saliva or been near them when they’ve coughed or sneezed. Without taking proper prevention measures, you’re also at high risk if you:

• live with someone who has contracted the virus
• are providing home care for someone who has contracted the virus
• have an intimate partner who has contracted the virus

Older people and people with certain health conditions have a higher risk for severe complications if they contract the virus. These health conditions include:

• lung conditions, such as COPD and asthma
• certain heart conditions
• immune system conditions, such as HIV
• cancer that requires treatment
• severe obesity
• other health conditions, if not well-controlled, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease

How are coronaviruses diagnosed?

COVID-19 can be diagnosed similarly to other conditions caused by viral infections - using a blood, saliva, or tissue sample. However, most tests use a cotton swab to retrieve a sample from the inside of your nostrils.