Coronavirus : Symptoms, Transmission, and Preventions,

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Microscopy image of Virus : Coronavirus

Coronavirus or COVID-19 fears reverberate as cases pass 180,000 in worldwide, and the death rate exceeds the number of 7000. The COVID-19 virus is spreading across the world. More than 80 countries have confirmed coronavirus, Coronaviruses cause a variety of diseases in mammals and birds ranging from enteritis in cows and pigs and upper respiratory disease chickens to potentially lethal human respiratory infections. There is no evidence that human coronaviruses can be transmitted by animals. coronavirus cause acute, mild upper respiratory infection (common cold). Here we provide a current prevention and treatment strategies.

What is coronavirus 

Coronavirus or COVID-19 is the largest groups of viruses belonging to the Nidovirales order, enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses, are characterized by club-like spikes that project from their surface, an unusually large RNA genome, and a unique replication strategy.

Coronaviruses are found in avian and mammalian species. They resemble each other in morphology and chemical structure: for example, the coronaviruses of humans and cattle are antigenically related, the first coronavirus was isolated nearly 50 years ago, These viruses are endemic in the human populations, causing 15–30% of respiratory tract infections each year.

Coronavirus Symptoms 

There is no reliable clinical method to distinguish coronavirus colds from colds caused by rhinoviruses or less common agents. He causes a range of illnesses from no symptoms to acute respiratory illness with mild to severe respiratory courses and death

Coronaviruses invade the respiratory tract via the nose. After an incubation period ( silent period ) of about 3 to 14 days , they cause the symptoms of a common cold, including :

• · Fever is a common symptom,
• · Nasal obstruction,
• · Sneezing,
• · Runny nose,
• · Occasionally Cough,
• · Sore throat,
• · Headache,
• · myalgia
• · Abdominal pain.

In critically ill patients, presentation with shortness of breath (most likely with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure), Severe respiratory syndrome of CoV infection is outlined by progression to acute respiratory distress . and gastrointestinal symptoms have been observed such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, while acute kidney damage has been reported.

Coronavirus Test

By a biological technique called « RT-PCR » has become the method of choice for diagnosis of COVID-19, from nasal swabs or washings .

Coronavirus Transmission

Studies have shown that respiratory viruses can be transmitted from one person to another through direct or indirect contact , the common transmission routes of COVID-19 include :

• Direct transmission :

  Cough, Sneeze, and Droplet inhalation transmission, contact with oral, nasal, and eye

• Indirect transmission :

  Through coarse or Small droplets and COVID-19 can also be transmitted directly or indirectly through saliva.

Notably, transmission of the virus may also occur through contact with patients who have no symptoms.

Studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be airborne through aerosols ( molecular are in suspension in the air) formed during medical procedures .

However, the aerosol transmission route and the fecal–oral transmission route concerned by the public still need to be further studied and confirmed.

Coronavirus Preventions 

We have 3 steps for the best preventions.

Coronavirus infection is a new communicable disease with an emergent outbreak that affects all populations.
It is paramount to implement infection control practices by infection source controlling, transmission route blocking, and susceptible population protection.

1) Controlling infection sources

•  Patients infected with COVID-19 are the main infection sources.
•  Person infected by novel coronavirus should be isolated at home or admitted to designated hospitals under the guidance of healthcare workers.
•  There are enormous demands for room ventilation, necessary cleaning, and disinfection work for the articles used by the patient. Here, it is worth mentioning that there is a crucial need for equipment with disposable masks and properly disposal after use when taking care of the sick person.

2) Blocking transmission routes

• Preventing transmission by Covering your mouth and your nose with napkin or towel when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands frequently, and use the seven-step washing technique.
• Try not to touch your mouth, your nose, or your eyes before cleaning your hands thoroughly after returning from public places.
• Regularly disinfecting toys by heating at 56 °C for 30 min, 75% alcohol or chlorine-containing disinfectants, and ultraviolet rays.
• Avoid public transport at epidemic areas
• Wear masks when going to crowded or poorly ventilated public places
• Person with a history of close contacts of infected patients need to be monitored for body temperature and clinical features routinely.
• When presenting with suspicious symptoms, you should visit the hospital for screening.

3) Boosting immunity

• Balanced diet, oral health, adequate exercise, and boosting immunity are the powerful measures to preventing infection

Coronavirus Treatment 

General treatment strategies include bed rest and supportive treatment; ensuring sufficient calory and water intake; monitoring vital signs ; keeping respiratory tract unobstructed and inhaling oxygen when necessary; biological blood analysis and timely re-examination of chest imaging should be performed when necessary.
Specific treatment is Using drugs such as antiviral, antibiotics and glucocorticoids can be used in severe cases .
Vaccination is an effective way to prevent virus infection. The research and development of anti-virus vaccines have been carried out in China at present.

Written By Dr. Zenasni O.
Medical Doctor
Emergency Service