desctiption of coronavirus. [ answer in long its for project]
Answers
Coronaviruses have been making people cough and sneeze for eons. They are among the many viruses that cause the common cold. But not all are so mild-mannered. A few severe types can lead to serious illness and deaths.
Coronaviruses get their name from their shape. These round viruses are surrounded by a halo of spiky proteins. That makes them look a bit like a crown or the corona of the sun.
In fact, being termed a coronavirus “is less about the genetics and more about the way it appears under a microscope,” explains Brent C. Satterfield. He is a founder and the chief scientific officer of Co-Diagnostics. It’s a company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and in Gujarat, India. It is developing new tests to diagnose coronavirus infections.
The genetic makeup of these viruses is composed of RNA. RNA is a single-stranded chemical cousin of DNA. Genetically, coronaviruses can be quite different from one another. Some types have more differences between them than humans have from elephants, Satterfield notes.
Four major types of these viruses exist. They’re known by the Greek letters alpha, beta, delta and gamma. Only the alpha and beta types are known to infect people. These viruses spread through the air. And just four of them (known as 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1) cause between one and three in every 10 cases of the common cold.
Coronavirus illnesses tend to be fairly mild and affect just the upper airways (nose and throat). But there are more severe cousins that can cause lethal disease.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- Fever
-Tiredness
- Dry cough
- Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
Note: Not everyone with a cold or upper respiratory symptom needs to get tested for COVID-19. Only a person with a symptoms and travel history can do the test. Additionally, most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
How does COVID-19 spread?
- Novel Coronavirus strains are spread from person to person through contaminated droplets from a person who is sick with the illness (through coughing or sneezing) or contaminated hands.
- The virus can spread through touching an infected surface.
- People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
Is there any treatment for COVID-19?
The treatment of COVID-19 depends on enhancing the immunity level of patients, treating the symptoms and easing complications, as there is no specific treatment for the virus to date.
What are the ways to prevent the disease?
- Washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
- Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Covering mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands.
- Avoid shaking hands and just wave.
- Avoid nose-to-nose greeting, hugging or kissing others.
- Avoid contact with animals (live or dead).
- Take enough rest and take a large amount of fluids.
Answer:
What is the Disease?
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus, first identified in a cluster with pneumonia symptoms in Wuhan city, Hubei province of China.
Most of the cases were epidemiologically linked to the seafood and animal market.
How is the virus transmitted?
Novel Coronavirus strains are spread from person to person through contaminated droplets from a person who is sick with the illness (through coughing or sneezing) or contaminated hands.
The virus can spread through touching an infected surface.
The incubation period extends from 1 to 14 days (that means the amount of time from being exposed to the virus to showing symptoms)
The symptoms are:
Fever
Shortness of breath
Cough
Headache
Sore throat
Is there any treatment for COVID-19?
The treatment of COVID-19 depends on enhancing the immunity level of patients, treating the symptoms and easing complications, as there is no specific treatment for the virus to date.
Is there a vaccine against the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Currently there is no available vaccine that protects against novel coronavirus.
When should I wash my hands?
After handing animals or animal waste
When hands are dirty
After toilet use
After coughing or sneezing
When caring for the sick
Before, during and after you prepare food
Before and after eating
How to greet people while having respiratory symptoms such as a cough and a cold?
Avoid shaking hands and just wave.
Avoid nose-to-nose greeting.
Avoid hugging or kissing others.
If you intend to travel to areas affected by Novel coronavirus:
Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues.
Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets, and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
Note: Avoid traveling abroad due to the spread of COVID-19 in multiple countries, except if it is an extreme necessity.