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· 18 Nov 2021

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What Are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?

#Coronavirus #Covid19 #Pandemic

At the end of 2019, the worst pandemic in the history of human beings, the Coronavirus catastrophe, hit the world. The scientists gave this pandemic another name and are now known as Covid-19. The coronavirus is also responsible for causing another deadly infection called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This infection is also called SARS-associated coronavirus and is a viral respiratory illness. Many people may think that coronavirus is a new thing, but the virus was there in the past. In fact, its first case was reported in Asia in 2003.  Previously, it had spread to many countries in Europe, Asia, North and South America.





During that time, over 8,098 people worldwide became sick during the 2003 outbreak and 774 people died of SARS, according to the report given by The World Health Organization (WHO). Even if it existed in the past, it did not kill many people as the current pandemic has. As we speak, covid-19 has claimed over 5.11 million lives. The number of infections is as high as 254 million globally. What does this tell you? Coronavirus can cause great harm if not well managed. It has been termed as one pandemic that has threatened to erase humanity from the face of the earth. There have been no reported cases of SARS transmission anywhere in the world since 2004 until recently in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.






The SARS-associated coronavirus is transmitted via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes; the droplets may be deposited on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes of a nearby person, and that’s how they get into contact with it, mostly. SARS develops in people who have a history of travel or residence in an area with known cases or who either have close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with the disease. It can also spread when a person touches an object or a surface that is contaminated by the droplets and touches his or her mucous membranes. When people get covid-19, they can either be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic.







What is the Difference Between Asymptomatic and Pre-symptomatic COVID-19?


Both terms refer to people who do not have symptoms. The difference is that asymptomatic refers to people who are infected but never develop symptoms during the period of infection. Pre-symptomatic refers to people who are infected but have not yet developed the symptoms but do on to develop symptoms later.







Characteristic symptoms of SARS are fever greater than 38°C, coughing, and difficulty in breathing. Some other symptoms include body aches, headache, diarrhea, and overall feeling of discomfort. The incubation period is usually 2 to 7 days, although longer periods have been reported, like 14 days. The risk factors associated with it include older age and comorbid conditions. Only supportive care is recommended because currently there is no known cure, it’s only a vaccine that protects you from getting it. What do I mean, there is no cure? According to scientists, viral infections have no cure, only preventative measures, and vaccines. Scientists using data on the health of four million people say Covid has six subtypes:
Flu-like with no fever: headache, loss of smell, muscle pains, cough, sore throat, chest pain, no fever
Flu-like with fever: headache, loss of smell, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, fever, loss of appetite
Gastrointestinal: Headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore throat, chest pain, no cough
Fatigue (severe level one): headache, loss of smell, cough, fever, hoarseness, chest pain, fatigue
Confusion (severe level two): headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain
Abdominal and respiratory (severe level three): headache, loss of smell, loss of appetite, cough, fever, hoarseness, sore throat, chest pain, fatigue, confusion, muscle pain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Researchers think that vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps could be a sign of coronavirus in children.








What Are the Warning Signs of Coronavirus?


Trouble breathing as the lungs get severely affected.
Persistent pain or pressure in your chest as air struggle to get in and out.
Additional confusion is linked to anxiety and oxygen not reaching major parts of the brain.
Inability to wake up from sleep as the infection suppresses the immune system, making someone weaker. This happens as the body tries to conserve energy.
Bluish lips or face. This is also called cyanosis and happens when some parts of the body cannot receive enough oxygen.








Who is At Significant Risk of Getting Covid-19?


People who live in or have recently traveled to any area with ongoing active spread.
People who have had close contact with a person who has a laboratory-confirmed or a suspected case of the COVID-19 virus. We define close contact as being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
People over age 60 who have pre-existing medical conditions or a weakened immune system.






Conclusion.


To contain and limit the transmission of SARS, infection control measures are enhanced which include the use of personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, hand hygiene, disinfection techniques and negative pressure isolation rooms, and source control measures to contain patients' secretions. Covid 19 can be overcome with a vaccine and proper treatment. However, the best prevention is to stay away from affected people and wearing of face masks. I’m saying this because there are incidences where people have got the virus even after being fully vaccinated. Also, not all people recover from the virus as some die while others get complications that impact their health negatively. Despite the vaccine, covid-19 is still very common in many countries, and therefore, taking precautions is necessary.