A short note about coronavirus

The Novel Coronavirus has caused a pandemic worldwide by spreading the Covid-19, the most infectious disease; that has caused millions of deaths all over the world. 

The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine starts changing the Coronavirus pandemic situation into endemic. People have already gotten fully vaccinated by the end of 2021. 

It reduces the severity, hospitalisation, and casualty rates, but that doesn’t mean the pandemic situation gets over. After SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron, the new sub-variant, XE is still spreading worldwide, which is relatively less severe but more contagious.  

In this article, you’ll learn everything related to the infectious Coronavirus, from symptoms to diagnosis, prevention to possible treatment, and the best ways to deal with the new normal. 

What is CoronaVirus?

The coronavirus is a highly contagious virus; that can affect all people of different ages, food habits, and regions. After getting into one’s body, it causes a mild to moderate infection in the nose, upper throat, and sinuses. 

At the end of 2019, after a massive outbreak in China, the World Health Organization identified the SARS-CoV-2 and reported it as a new type of virus. There are seven types of virus variants that have been identified till now, with different symptoms and mild to deadly infection ranges.  

How does the coronavirus spread?

All variants and sub-variants of coronavirus generally infect the upper respiratory tract. The virus incubates in the body, specifically in the nose and throat mucus, for several days before the infected person experiences any symptoms.

When the symptomatic or even asymptomatic infected person coughs, sneezes, laughs, talks, and breathes, the large droplets or infectious particles get released into the air.

That’s why; the family members or those, who come in physical contact with the patients, silently become infected. They stay unaware of their infection until the symptoms appear. 

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Most infected people have experienced mild to moderate illness and symptoms, like – Fever, cough and sneezing, congestion or runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, breathing difficulty, headache, muscle and body aches, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting. On the other hand, some others don’t have any symptoms.

In some cases, the coronavirus causes severe health issues, such as – pneumonia, respiratory failure, nervous system problems, damaged lung and heart muscle, liver problems, heart problems, kidney failure, strokes, and even death. 

If you notice any severe symptoms, like- ongoing chest pain, shortness of breath, bluish lips or face, can’t wake up fully, or numbness in any body part, you need serious medical help. 

Otherwise, if you feel sick and are concerned, you might have COVID-19; call your house physician or other health care providers and explain your symptoms before rushing toward the hospital. 

How is COVID-19 diagnosed?

Apart from asymptomatic patients, it is difficult to confirm that those who have typical symptoms of covid-19 are infected with the coronavirus. Most signs and symptoms can be caused by the common cold, flu, and other illnesses.  

The doctors prescribed two basic viral tests, either a rapid antigen test or a swab test, called RT PCR. The doctors recommend the antibody tests or protein spike tests for those; who don’t have any symptoms but are suspected of being Covid-19 positives. 

The test doesn’t determine whether you currently have COVID-19 or not; it just checks whether your body has created enough preventive antibodies or not to defend itself. The RT PCR test with laboratory analysis is recommended for those suffering from Covide-19 symptoms.  

How is infectious COVID-19 treated?

The doctors recommend several treatments according to the severity of the infection. Patients with mild illnesses are generally asked to rest at home, have plenty of fluid and protein-rich foods, and take normal antiviral medicine and antibiotics to reduce respiratory infection and fever.   

The people with low oxygen levels, severe breathing trouble, or other issues get treated with intravenous medications, supplemental oxygen, and assisted with ventilation or other supportive measures inside the Covid-19 hospitals. 

Who is at high risk for developing a severe infection?

The coronavirus is a type of virus that isn’t a serious threat to healthy people, though it weakens their immune systems. But the older adults and the people with chronic pulmonary disease, severe heart problems, kidney or liver diseases, diabetics, and cancer patients, who have a minimal immunity power, the Coronavirus infection could even become a life threat for them.

How do you protect yourself from these infectious diseases?

The best way to protect yourself is to wear the proper mask, maintain physical distance, and wash hands frequently with a reliable hand wash or sanitiser until you get fully vaccinated.

A complete vaccination and mass making are the only way to prevent the viral infection outbreak of a new coronavirus variant in this new normal phase. After 15 days of taking 2nd dosages of covid vaccine, you could take a protein spike test to evaluate your immune system.   

Conclusion

We are adjusting to the new normal. The offices, schools, and colleges are partially open. However, several IT companies still provide their employees with work-from-home opportunities, as new sub-variants have started being reported every day.    

If you come in touch with any covid-positive patient, immediately quarantine yourself. Then, watch for the symptoms and explain them to a doctor; don’t wait until they get complicated. 

A doctor only could give you the best advice; such articles only could guide you to do your best. So, don’t stop wearing masking and hand sanitising.