Coronavirus

History

  Coronavirus was first described in detail in the 1960s, the coronavirus gets its name from a distinctive corona or crown of sugar protein  that projects from the envelope surrounding the particle. Encoding the virus's make-up is the longest genome of any RNA-based virus – a single strand of nucleic acid roughly 26,000 to 32,000 bases long. 

Symptoms of a coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses .

Signs and symptoms of infection with the new coronavirus may appear two to 14 days after exposure and can include:

·         Fever

·         Cough

·         Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

The severity of the new coronavirus symptoms can range from very mild to severe, even death. Although understanding of this disease continues to grow, most people with severe illness have been of an older age or had other significant existing medical conditions. This is similar to what is seen in people who have severe infections with other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.

It's unclear exactly how contagious the new coronavirus is or how it spreads. It appears to be spreading from person to person among those in close contact. It may be spread by respiratory droplets released when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes.

It's not known if a person can catch the virus by touching a surface that an infected person has touched, and then putting his or her hand to them.

In 2019, a new virus called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a disease outbreak in China. The disease is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Coronaviruses can give rise to a variety of symptoms in different animals. most of the time infections can be compared cold, causing mild to moderate upper respiratory problems such as a runny nose and sore throat.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome

SARS was first recognised as a distinct strain of coronavirus in 2003. The source of the virus has never been clear, though the first human infections can be traced back to the Chinese province of Guangdong in 2002.

Middle East respiratory syndrome

MERS was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012 in people displaying symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath and occasionally gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea. An animal source for the virus has never been officially confirmed, though evidence points to dromedary camels as a potential reservoir of infection

Till today there has identified around 2,500 cases of infection in 27 countries since initial outbreaks, resulting in nearly 860 deaths.

Prevention

Although there is no vaccine available to prevent infection with the new coronavirus, you can take steps to reduce your risk of infection. WHO and CDC recommend following the standard precautions for avoiding respiratory viruses:

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·         Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.

·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren't clean.

·         Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you're sick.

·         Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch.

·         Stay home from work, school and public areas if you're sick.

WHO also recommends that you:

·         Contact your doctor if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and tell him or her about any recent travels.

·         Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or animal organs.

·         Avoid contact with live animals and surfaces they may have touched if you're visiting live markets in areas that have recently had new coronavir.