Unless you are living under a rock, you have already heard about the Coronavirus outbreak – a family of viruses that lead to a currently incurable disease. It was first identified in China’s Wuhan city in December 2019 and spread so rapidly around the globe that in March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic. Keep in mind that this is not a deadly disease as it has a recovery rate of more than 95% and you can avoid it by taking the required precautions. Read ahead to know more about the novel Coronavirus.
How bad is Coronavirus, and what are its symptoms?
There are over 1,40,000 reported cases worldwide, and while the mortality rate is less than 4%, it is spreading at an astonishing rate. The virus spreads between animals and human, and its symptoms include common cold, runny nose, sore throat, fever, cough and shortness in breathing. Though people show these symptoms within 4-5 days of getting infected, the virus is infamous for staying dormant for up to 14 days in some cases. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia and multiple organ failure, and finally death.
How does the virus transmit, and what precautions should I take?
Coronavirus can be transmitted through either animal to human or human to human. Most experts believe that the root cause of the disease was an infected animal, however, there’s no way to track down what happened in a particular (currently shut down) food market in Wuhan. In humans, the transmission can be prevented by avoiding close contact with anyone showing the above-mentined symptoms, washing hands regularly with soap or sanitizers and eating only well-cooked meat and eggs. Other safety measures include avoiding mass gathering, avoiding touching your face, and wearing a mask (preferably a disposable one).
What should I do if I got the virus?
If you are a youth with a good to moderate health, chances are you are going to be fine and recover from it. However, the scenario is different for older people, and people with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. They are more vulnerable to the virus and likely to develop serious illness. If you find any symptoms of Coronavirus in your body, you should call the helpline number (Indian central helpline number: +91-11-23978046) and follow the instructions. Self-isolation is the most advised method to stop the virus from spreading.
What about my upcoming travel plans?
Well, cancelling or postponing your travel plans is a no brainer at this moment. Many countries have already restricted entries of foreign nationals. We would strongly suggest you should stay at home and wait for things to get better before heading out to explore the world.
Is there a cure for Coronavirus?
Unfortunately, no. Currently, there is no permanent cure or vaccine available for the disease. However, mild cases are being treated with the same treatment as the seasonal flu.
To summarize, Coronavirus is a highly contagious disease and it can rapidly spread from people to people if the necessary precautions are not taken. Having said that, maintaining good hygiene – especially cleaning your hands more frequently, avoiding public places and close contact with affected people you can mitigate the chances of getting infected by it.
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