Article No. 38
25/January/2020
25/January/2020
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as 2019-nCoV
acute respiratory disease, is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (2019
novel coronavirus), a virus closely related to the SARS virus. It is thought to
primarily spread between people via respiratory droplets from infected
individuals as they cough or sneeze. Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is
generally between 2 to 14 days. Transmission may be limited by handwashing. It
often presents with fever, coughing, shortness of breath, pain in the muscles
and tiredness, although some may have few or no symptoms. Complications may
include pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Currently, there are
no vaccines or specific antiviral treatments, with therapy being symptomatic,
supportive, and experimental.
Cases were initially identified in Wuhan, capital of Hubei
province in China in December 2019. Subsequently, infections have been reported
around the world. Cases reported outside China have predominantly been in
people who have recently travelled to Mainland China.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) recommend that persons who suspect that they are carrying
the virus wear a surgical face mask and seek medical advice by calling a doctor
rather than directly visiting a clinic in person. The WHO has declared the
2019–20 coronavirus outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International
Concern (PHEIC). As of 11 February 2020, only Mainland China is listed as an
area with known ongoing community spread of the disease.
How 2019-nCoV Spreads
Most often, spread from person-to-person happens among close
contacts (about 6 feet). Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via
respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes,
similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. These droplets
can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled
into the lungs. It’s currently unclear if a person can get 2019-nCoV by
touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their
own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
Signs and symptoms
As with other respiratory illnesses, infection with
2019-nCoV can cause mild symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough,
and fever. It can be more severe for
some persons and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older
people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as, diabetes and
heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the
virus.
CDC real time Tests for COVID-19
CDC has developed a new laboratory test kit for use in
testing patient specimens for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. The test kit is called the
“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019-Novel Coronavirus
(2019-nCoV) Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panel.” It is
intended for use with the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast DX Real-Time PCR
Instrument with SDS 1.4 software. This test is intended for use with upper and
lower respiratory specimens collected from persons who meet CDC criteria for
COVID-19 testing. CDC’s test kit is intended for use by laboratories designated
by CDC as qualified, and in the United States, certified under the Clinical
Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high complexity tests. The
test kits also will be shipped to qualified international laboratories, such as
World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance Response System
(GISRS) laboratories. The test will not be available in U.S. hospitals or other
primary care settings. The kits will be distributed through the International
Reagent Resource (IRR).
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way
to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a
reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the
spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with
unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw
the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and
surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well
wear facemask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including
2019-nCoV.
- Facemask should be used by people who show symptoms
of 2019 novel coronavirus, in order to protect others from the risk of
getting infected. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health
workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings
(at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at
least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating;
and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands
with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Treatment
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for 2019-nCoV
infection. People infected with 2019-nCoV should receive supportive care to
help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to
support vital organ functions. People who think they may have been exposed to
2019-nCoV should contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial
infections. The novel coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should
not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
The Coronaviruses (CoV)
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness
ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been
previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between
animals and people. Detailed
investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans
and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are
circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough,
shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection
can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even
death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular
hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly
cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of
respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
By,
Nithin A F
Doing Post Graduation in Psychology
Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala.
Email : nithinaf@gmail.com
www.NithinAF.blogspot.com
25/January/2020
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