Covid-19

Disorders / Covid-19

About Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a type of coronavirus. The virus is typically responsible for the common cold. In 2019, the novel coronavirus infected humans, with severe consequences, triggering a global pandemic. Individuals who are infected with the disease suffer respiratory issues. The patients recover fast without any special coronavirus treatment. During the course, some patients’ health conditions worsen and require medical attention. Older adults with existing medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and cancer are more prone to developing serious illnesses. Anyone can catch Covid-10 and the symptoms might be fatal at any age. 

The name ‘Corona’ comes from its crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets. The air carries fluid droplets from humans to those who come into close contact with them. People with sound health do not experience severe symptoms of COVID-19. Older adults with serious health conditions require intense medical care in healthcare clinics. COVID-19 vaccines help individuals combat serious ailments, and even death. The right medication can reduce the severity of symptoms. The majority of the patients recover from the illness fast, whereas some might take months to recover.

Where Did Coronavirus Come from?

The coronavirus originated in bats, cats, and camels. According to sources, bats are considered to be the primary natural reservoir for many coronavirus strains. The virus lives in the bodies of animals and spreads from them to other animal species and humans. The virus mutates as they spread. The viral infection is contagious. People who initially caught the infection came in contact with the virus at the fish and meat market, where animals are kept.

How Does Covid-19 Spread?

The COVID-19 virus, carried by airborne droplets, enters the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. The virus passes from the hands to the mouth and infects the human. The virus passes through the nasal passage. The virus comes in contact with the membrane cells, multiplies, and enters the lungs. The virus spreads through the body tissues and affects one’s health. Primary ways the virus spreads – 

  • The virus travels through respiratory droplets floating in the air when an infected individual talks, coughs, sneezes, or breathes near another’s face. When another individual inhales these droplets, it can infect their health.
  • When an infected person shakes hands with another person, and the other person touches their face, they might get infected with the coronavirus.
  • When one touches a surface with respiratory droplets and then touches the face.

 

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

The COVID-19 symptoms appear from 2 to 14 days after an individualcomes into contact with the virus. The symptoms include – 

  • Fever, cold, and cough
  • Loss of taste and smell
  • Dry cough
  • Runny nose, sore throat  
  • Extreme tiredness and fatigue
  • Body pain 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Headache 
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Upset stomach or diarrhea 

The symptoms are not limited to the ones mentioned above. In some cases, infected people can be asymptomatic, too. These patients don’t show any symptoms yet test positive. Patients who have frequent or constant symptoms are presymptomatic. These COVID-19 patients spread the infection the most. Asymptomatic patients are more harmful as their symptoms are hidden, yet they are carrying the infection within. People close to them are unaware of the disease, and catch the symptoms fast. 

Symptoms can worsen between 7 and 14 days after they appear. The majority of COVID-19 patients mostly suffer from mild to moderate symptoms. The complications can be fatal.

When to Visit A Doctor? 

A person needs to visit a doctor once s/he is diagnosed with COVID-19. When one has been in close contact with a Covid patient and now experiences symptoms, one requires medical attention. An individual with a weak immune system and a history of catching serious illnesses must take medication to block the virus. The doctor monitors the patient’s health while the person is on medication. When one experiences fatal symptoms, it’s always advised to seek immediate medical help. The symptoms include – 

  • Pale or blue lips, skin, or nails
  • Breathing issues
  • Dizziness and confusion 
  • Difficulty staying awake 
  • Excessive sleepiness 
  • Constant chest pain and heaviness 

There are other serious symptoms beyond the list above. When you care for a COVID-19 patient with a severe health condition, you must consult the healthcare team for urgent medical care. 

How to Block Covid-19 from Spreading?

COVID-19 is contagious without a doubt. When a person has the disease for days, they are also infectious because the virus is active. As the symptoms start to fade away after 10 days, it doesn’t remain contagious. Effective ways to block COVID-19 from spreading further. 

  • Keeping a six-foot distance from others 
  • Wearing a protective mask to cover the nose and mouth in public 
  • Washing hands at regular intervals 
  • Carrying sanitisers with 60% alcohol content to cleanse hands 
  • Staying at home in isolation to protect loved ones
  • Not going to crowded places
  • Keeping the room doors and windows open to allow cross-ventilation 
  • Cleaning the surface of objects

Who Are More At Risk of COVID-19?

Those who are more at risk of having COVID-19 include – 

  • Those who live in or travel to COVID-19-infected areas.
  • Who come into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19?
  • Those aged above 60
  • Individuals with complex medical conditions 
  • Those with a weak immune system

How Does the Diagnosis Occur?

You can get your Covid tests done in labs under a doctor’s prescription. Instead of blood tests, COVID tests take your saliva. The doctor may swab the nose and throat of the patients for the test. You should contact the doctor when you feel certain symptoms – 

  • You feel feverish and have a cough with breathing difficulty 
  • You have come into close contact with a COVID-19 patient or a suspected COVID-19 patient.

Listen to your doctor. If your immunity is low, stay at home for at least 20 days after you notice symptoms. The risk of a “false negative” is always high, indicating the patient is Covid-positive.  The primary reasons behind it include – 

  • Tested too early 
  • The swab test failed to catch the specimen
  • The test was in general 

The treatment for COVID-19 varies depending on symptom severity. A patient may need – 

  • Antiviral medicines 
  • Oxygen supplements 
  • Infusion of monoclonal antibodies 
  • Mechanical ventilation 
  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Healthcare Tips for COVID-19 at Home

Patients with COVID-19 who are positive recover fast with proper rest, fluid intake, and necessary treatment for their symptoms. Your doctor prescribes medicines to offer comfort and relief.  The medicines prevent the illness from getting worse. The medicines prescribed include – 

  • General fever reducers 
  • Pain relievers 
  • Cough syrup 

Individuals aged above 65 and infants below 6 months are at a higher risk of catching the disease. Those with specific medical conditions and diseases are also more prone to having the infection. The symptoms must be monitored regularly to check for improvement. In case of children being detected with COVID-19, parents need to see whether the child is getting complete rest, healthy food, and the needed medication.

When you are detected with Covid19+, your body needs complete rest and isolation – 

  • Healthy food 
  • Proper rest and sound sleep
  • Relaxation exercises 
  • Nurturing hobbies you enjoy 
  • Communicate through phone calls and video calls 

The best protection is the COVID-19 vaccine. Isolation is necessary, yet constant healthcare lowers the risk of the symptoms getting worse. 

Do Vaccinated Individuals Get Covid-19?

Yes. Even vaccinated people can catch Covid-19. No vaccine is effective enough to clear an infection forever. In some exceptional cases, patients have tested Positive for COVID-19 after 2 weeks of vaccination. Vaccines reduce your chances of catching Covid-19, but they can’t remove the risk of infection.

What Are the Precautions to Take?

Get vaccinated to prevent COVID-19. Besides, you can follow some precautionary measures to prevent the cold, flu, or infection. 

  • Wash your hands at regular intervals after any task you have done
  • Wear a mask and cover your nose and mouth
  • Don’t put your finger in your eyes, nose, or mouth 
  • Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing
  • Don’t go near the people who are suffering from a cold and a cough 
  • Don’t go near the crowd 
  • Keep your house clean with disinfectants 
  • Use hand sanitizer
  • Don’t go close to those with COVID-19+
  • Keep your diet healthy and drink a lot of liquid 
  • Have sound sleep for long hours 

Frequently Asked Questions

How does coronavirus spread?

COVID-19 spreads from human to human through respiratory droplets. Coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing can be the means of transmission.

How to protect myself?

Wear a mask, maintain physical distance, wash your hands regularly, and keep yourself and your surroundings clean. Get vaccinated as soon as possible.

What are the primary symptoms of COVID-19?

The top symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, and loss of taste and smell.

What to do if I notice similar symptoms?

If you notice similar health symptoms, isolate yourself from others first. Get a test done. In case the symptoms are severe, seek immediate medical help.

How long does the virus remain infectious?

COVID-19  remains infectious upto 5 days. An affected person can remain infectious upto 10 days.