What is coronavirus and what should I do if I have symptoms?
What is Covid-19 – the illness that started in Wuhan?
It is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that has never been encountered before. Like other coronaviruses, it has come from animals. Many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the centre of the Chinese city.
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.
What are the symptoms this coronavirus causes?
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.
Should I go to the doctor if I have a cough?
The medical advice is that if you have recently travelled from areas affected by coronavirus, you should:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
- call Govt authority to inform them of your recent travel to the area
take More advice on what to do if you think you have been exposed to the virus.
Is the virus being transmitted from one person to another?
China’s national health commission has confirmed human-to-human transmission, and there have been such transmissions elsewhere.
कोरोनोवायरस क्या है और मुझे क्या करना चाहिए? (In Hindi)
How many people have been affected?
As of 3 March, the outbreak has affected more than 89,000 people globally, with a total death toll in excess of 3,000. In mainland China, of the 80,151 confirmed cases, over 44,000 people have recovered, and 2,943 (or 3.6%) have died. Over 125 deaths have occurred outside of China.
The coronavirus has spread to more than 60 other countries. The worst affected include South Korea with nearly 5,000 cases, and Iran, with over 1,500 cases.
What are the preventive measures?
The Health Ministry has issued guidelines to avoid corona virus. According to them, the hands should be washed with soap. Alcohol based hand lord can also be used. Cover with nose and mouth handkerchief or tissue paper while coughing and snatching. Keep a distance from individuals who have symptoms of gold and flu. Avoid the intake of eggs and meat. Avoid exposure to wild animals.