Novel Coronavirus 2019, CoVid 19, 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease, SARS CoV-2 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019. These are all names for coronavirus.
Coronavirus (corona, because the molecule is similar to a crown) type of viruses affecting the respiratory tract of mammals, incl. people.
Symptoms - colds, pneumonia, etc. respiratory symptoms (SARS). Coronavirus was first identified in 1937 in chickens with bronchitis. Since then, coronavirus variations have been the cause of 15-30% of total respiratory diseases. Over the past 70 years, scientists have found coronavirus in bats, camels, mice, rats, dogs, cats, turkeys, horses and pigs.
Coronavirus, which passes from animals to humans, is transforming into a new human coronavirus. This is how there were well-known coronaviruses: 229E (alpha coronavirus), NL63 (alpha coronavirus), OC43 (beta coronavirus), HKU1 (beta coronavirus).
Сoronaviruses
MERS-CoV-beta coronavirus, which provoked MERS - Middle East respiratory syndrome. It received its name due to its distribution in the Middle East. In November 2019, according to W.H.O estimates, 2,494 cases were registered, of which 2,102 cases in Saudi Arabia.
SARS-CoV-beta coronavirus causes severe damage to the respiratory tract.
SATS-CoV2 or COVID-12, the new coronavirus that the media is talking about now. The first cases are associated with the seafood market in South China, Wuhan. One theory suggests that the Chinese were in close contact with animal carriers of the virus, and a high population increased the spread of the virus. Other theories speak of a new version of genetically modified coronavirus.
SARS (SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) was also triggered by the coronavirus that bats brought. Bats transmitted the civet virus (mammal) to snakes, which are a delicacy in southern China. SARS began in China in 2002, there were 8098 cases, 774 deaths.
HOW DANGEROUS IS THE CORONAVIRUS? W.H.O analyzed 17,000 patients with coronavirus, the results are:
82% had moderate symptoms
15% had severe symptoms
3% were crtically ill
Today, the number of deaths from Covid-19 is 1-2% - however, the rate may be even lower, since many cases have remained unregistered. For comparison, every year 1 billion people get the flu, while 290 000-650 000 die.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE There is no strategy. Antiviral agents, antibiotics are used, but this is more "like flying blind."
The types of CORONAVIRUSES
Viruses 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1 - are transmitted from person to person, causing common cold symptoms.
MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, 2019-nCoV viruses were transmitted to humans from animals, and then spread from person to person. This chain leads to severe complications in the form of pneumonia, leading to death.
As of February 24, 2020, the number of deaths from coronavirus exceeded 2300. Currently, 78,811 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF W.H.O advises:
Wash hands more often - soap is an antiseptic that kills bacteria
Cover your mouth when sneezing, coughing. Wash hands after.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands. Wash your hands more often.
Stay 1 m away from persons sneezing and coughing.
Dr. David Carrington, St George University, London told the BBC that surgical masks are ineffective in protecting against the virus. They only help prevent the virus from getting into your mouth.
CORONAVIRUS 2019 Coronavirus attacks the cells of the respiratory organs. And as a result, the following symptoms are observed (source of W.H.O):
1. High temperature
2. Snot
3. Dry cough (appears on day 2-7)
4. Chest pain
5. Heart palpitations
6.
Headache 7. Breathing problems
8. Pneumonia
9. Kidney failure
HOW IT SPREADS - At first from snakes and civet from the seafood markets in South China
- Between people, transmitted by coughing, sneezing and shaking hands
- It reaches the person through the mouth and nose
FATAL OUTCOME - Most of the infected patients died from complications after - pneumonia and pulmonary oedema.
- The virus also causes tumours in the respiratory tract, which blocks the flow of oxygen
PNEUMONIA It can be different
Bacterial (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila)
Viral (Influenza A and B). Not as scary as bacterial.
Mycoplasma (mycoplasma pneumonia bacterium)
Fungal pneumonia (fungi). A fungus that grows in the soil or stool of birds.
PNEUMONIA can be assessed by -Physical examination, with a stethoscope (rattle, whistle sounds)
-X-ray
-Analysis of blood, sputum
-PCR - polymerase chain reaction, DNA analysis
-CT scan - computer tomography
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE The method depends on the type of pneumonia. For bacterial - antibiotic.
For viral - antibiotics will not help. Rest, sleep, antiviral. However, often a bacterial follows a viral, therefore, antibiotics are given prophylactically.
People at high risk of the disease are offered vaccination.