Coronavirus Pandemic: Here is What You Need to Know
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease spread by a virus that initially affects the human respiratory system. The disease was first identified in the year 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, the virus has spread globally, affecting lakhs of individuals. Due to its high incidence & high transmission rate, the WHO declared this disease as a pandemic.
At this point, many individuals have multiple questions about this disease. So, in this blog, we consulted our expert pulmonologist and chest doctor, Ms Sumita Agarwal and brought you answers to all the questions you might be looking out for.
What Is A Pandemic?
On 12th March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic due to its massive outbreak globally. A pandemic is classified by a virus that spreads globally, affecting millions of people. Pandemics are usually classified as epidemics first, which is a rapid spread of a disease in a particular region or area. A pandemic is likely to occur because most people do not have the immunity to fight the new virus.
Who are At Risk From Coronavirus Disease?
COVID 19 affects the elderly, infants, & individuals with pre-existing diseases the most. The virus can be easily transmitted to individuals with low immunity through an infected person.
What Are The Symptoms Of Coronavirus Disease?
Common symptoms of Coronavirus include:
1- Fever
2- Fatigue
3- Dry Cough
4- Shortness Of Breath
Uncommon symptoms of Coronavirus include:
1- Sore throat
2- Runny nose
3- Sneezing
4- Decreased kidney function
5- Diarrhoea
6- Decreased white blood cells
What Are The Precautions To Prevent Transmission Of Coronavirus Disease?
1- Follow and support all the local safety measures issued by the authorities
2- Maintain basic hygiene, wash hands with soap and water or use sanitizer
3- Cover your mouth with your elbows while coughing or sneezing
4- Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth with unwashed hands
5- Maintain a distance of about a meter from people who are sneezing or coughing, or have respiratory issues
6- Ensure that meat is thoroughly cooked before consuming it
How Can The Disease Be Diagnosed?
There were no antibody tests or point-of-care tests for diagnosing the presence of virus inside the human body. The standard method adopted around the globe is a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).
The test is performed by the use of respiratory samples obtained from an individual. An individual identified with the above-given symptoms must visit a diagnosis lab designated by the government for COVID 19 testing.
How Many People Are Infected From Coronavirus As Of Now?
As of 18th March 2020, 1,98,730 cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed worldwide; among these, 7,989 deaths have been recorded. The disease has affected 167 countries & territories. In India, the current statistics show a total of 148 cases & 3 deaths due to the disease.
The disease can be easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person with low immunity. Preventive measures suggested by the medical department & government must be taken to ensure lesser transmission. The team of specialists, including Dr. Sumita Agarwal at a top private hospital in Jodhpur, Medipulse Hospital, recommends all Indian citizens to maintain an impeccable level of hygiene and follow government advisory very strictly. Stay healthy & don’t panic.