Coronaviruses are a type of virus. There are many different kinds, and some cause disease. A newly identified coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a worldwide pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19.
What you need to know about Covid 19 ?
- COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus that emerged in China in December 2019.
- COVID-19 symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, unexplained loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, and headache. COVID-19 can be severe, and some cases have caused many deaths.
- The new coronavirus can be spread from person to person. It is diagnosed with a laboratory test.
- There is no coronavirus vaccine yet. Prevention involves frequent hand-washing, coughing into the bend of your elbow, staying home when you are sick, and wearing a cloth face covering if you can’t practice social distancing.
How did this new coronavirus spread to humans?
COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, a city in China, in December 2019. Although health officials are still tracing the exact source of this new coronavirus, early hypotheses thought it may be linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Some people who visited the market developed viral pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. A study that came out on Jan. 25, 2020, notes that the individual with the first reported case became ill on Dec. 1, 2019, and had no link to the seafood market. Investigations are ongoing as to how this virus originated and spread.
What are symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 symptoms include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Unexplained loss of taste or smell
- Diarrhea
- Headache
In rare cases, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.
In rare cases, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.
If you have a fever or any kind of respiratory difficulties such as coughing or shortness of breath, call your doctor or a health care provider and explain your symptoms over the phone before going to the doctor’s office, urgent care facility or emergency room.
What preventive measures can be Taken to reduce the chances of the coronavirus disease?
Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include staying at home, avoiding crowded places, keeping a distance from others, washing hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds, practicing good respiratory hygiene, taking supplements and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
