COVID-19 Pandemic: What You Need To Know

Everyone in the world is under the stress and fear of COVID-19, which has spread globally. Millions of people are suffering from the same. It has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Hence, people need to be aware of its spread so that they know what they are fighting against. Let’s go through the following.

What is COVID-19?  

COVID-19, COVID stands for coronavirus disease, and 19 determines that it first occurred in the year 2019. WHO named it so on 11 March 2020. Although it is similar to another epidemic, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus (CoV) that occurred in 2003 and the name suggested by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) was SARS-CoV-2, WHO named it as COVID-19 to avoid the spreading unnecessary and fake information. 

The virus is seen to cause typical flu-like symptoms, high fever, and respiratory problems. 

Where did COVID-19 originate?    

The source of the disease has not been confirmed yet, but it was not known before its outbreak in Wuhan, China, in November 2019. 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?  

COVID-19 causes respiratory illness in human beings and hence, difficulty in breathing. Following are the symptoms to be noted: 

• Fever, dry cough, fatigue. 
• Shortness of breath, running nose, excessive sneezing, body ache, and sore throat are some other symptoms. 

Who is at risk of getting affected by COVID-19?    

As per the various reports published by the World Health Organization and Ministry of Family Health and Welfare, Government of India, the symptoms of COVID-19 may vary from mild to severe.

Initially, people do not recognize the disease, but they are seen to be affected by it. As per the reports of MOFHW, 80% of the people recover from it without any special treatment. 

But, older people and/or who are already suffering from heart diseases, diabetes, lung diseases, or high blood pressure are highly prone to severe illness, which may prove to be fatal in some cases. 

When to see the doctor?    

COVID-19 is a serious infection; consultation of doctor should be considered when: 

• If one experiences any of the above symptoms. 
• If one has traveled from any of the COVID-19 affected areas/countries. 

How does COVID-19 spread?    

If a human is somehow affected by this virus, the disease may spread from human to human and hence, to the whole community. It usually spreads through the droplets from the nose or mouth, which may enter the body of a non-infected person through his eyes, nose, or mouth. 

It is advised to stay away from a person suffering from the disease by 1 meter, at least. However, as the symptoms of the disease are mild, it is possible that a person who is suffering from COVID-19 may not be aware of the same and may become a cause of spreading it.

Therefore, it is advisable to use a mask and consult the doctor immediately if any of the above symptoms are seen. 

If any metal surface has been in contact with the virus or near to any COVID-19 patient, the virus may stay there for a long time. Any person touching any surface may also get affected, and hence, the virus may spread. 

Is there any cure for COVID-19?    

To date, no vaccine has been found to cure the disease. Although various scientists, companies, and professionals across the globe are doing their investigation and research for the same. Hence, the best method is to protect ourselves from the virus by following the below-mentioned tips. 

 Precautions to Avoid COVID-19   

As the disease is contagious and is quite fatal for older people, the following precautions should be taken by every individual, especially by the sick. 

• One should always wash/clean his/her hands at regular intervals with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This prevents the disease from spreading if someone was in close contact with an infected person or had touched the virus. 
• Avoid touching your face because the virus enters the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Staying at home is one of the best solutions we have to this situation; most governments, including the Government of India, have announced a nationwide lockdown. Staying at home also becomes essential if you are not well and have any of the above-mentioned symptoms to stop the virus from spreading.

• Avoid close contact with people and not indulge in any public gatherings. 
• The surface likely to have been in contact with the COVID-19 affected person should be properly washed with a disinfectant or an alcohol-based sanitizer to kill the virus. 
• Any person suffering from a cough or a runny nose should always wear a mask to avoid the spread of the droplets containing the virus. 

Further, it would be highly beneficial if every individual takes the necessary precautionary measures to curb the disease and serve towards humanity. 

Stay safe, stay healthy.