THE RISE OF A NEW VILLAIN
-MARTIN FRANCIS
As you all are aware the novel corona virus epidemic that started in Wuhan,China on December 31,2019 (Reported to WHO office)has infected more people than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus(SARs-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) combined.This out break was declared a public health emergency of international concern on 30 January 2020.
Coronavirus
A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.Virus doesn't look for any particular organism,It can infect all types of life forms from animals and plants to microorganisms including bacteria and a.On the basis of genetic material virus are of two types DNA(Deoxyribonucleic acid)virus and RNA(Ribonucleic acid)virus.DNA is more Stable than RNA.As a result of this it is much easier to find drugs for diseases caused by the DNA virus but,in the case of RNA virus it is much difficult to find right medicine.
Now,talking on Coronavirus,when we observe them through the microscope we see them as crown shaped substances and the word 'corona' means 'crown' since they look like crown we call them Coronavirus. They are a family of related RNA viruses that cause disease in mammals and birds.In humans it causes diseases to organs related to respiration eg: Pneumonia
Scientists have known of the human coronavirus since 1960s But, only rarely has it garnered wider recognition over the past half a century.
The first attack of corona virus on humans were reported on 2002 at that time it caused the disease SARs or Severe Acute respiratory syndrome.Its second attack on humans were reported after ten years 2012, September and now it caused the disease known as MERs or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.After these two attacks on humans it came back again in 2019 as a new strain of virus from the family of Corona known as Novel corona virus.
Novel Corona Virus
As I have already mentioned Novel corona virus is a new member to the family of corona virus which causes the disease COVID-19.Many of you may wonder why is the disease called covid-19.
Here
Co refer to Corona
VI refer to virus
D refer to Disease
19 refer to 2019 the year in which it was discovered in Wuhan,China.
Initially it is believed that the disease has been spread from animals to humans.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Mild health problems—such as coughing, sneezing, fever and difficulty in breathing are some of the symptoms of the infection. However in certain cases, there might be no symptoms at all. The infected may be a carrier of the virus, without being infected themselves, infecting several others in the process. Alternatively, the infected may develop severe cases like pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, even leading to death.
Treatment
As I have already mentioned Corona virus is a family of RNA virus as the genetic material is not stable the virus mutates fastly as a result drug against Coronavirus is not known.The affected patients are given medicine to treat the symptoms of the disease.So the only treatment that we can provide is by Isolating the patient from rest of the people and give him medicine against the disease Symptoms.
How to prevent the disease?
To prevent the spread of COVID-19:
(1).Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
(2).Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
(3).Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a mask when you cough or sneeze.
(4).Stay home if you feel unwell.
(5).If you have a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Call in advance.
(6).Follow the directions of your local health authority.
(6).Avoiding unneeded visits to medical facilities allows healthcare systems to operate more effectively, therefore protecting you and others.
How to wash your Hands(recommended by WHO)
0 comments:
Post a Comment