WHAT IS CORONA DISEASE or nCOVID 19? HOW TO PREVENT CORONA INFECTION? Covid 19 Symptoms , and Managements.

WHAT IS CORONA DISEASE or nCOVID 19? HOW TO PREVENT CORONA INFECTION?

Corona Disease are acute respiratory infectious disease caused by a type of Virus called CORONA VIRUS. This disease was first diagnosed in 2019 in Wuhan City, China, hence it named as COVID 19 ( Corona Virus Disease 19). These virus includes in large family of viruses which causes respiratory illness ranging from common cold to sever diseases like MERS ( Middle Ease Respiratory Syndrome) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Where did nCOVID 19 virus came from?

nCovid 19 or noval Corona Virus was first discovered in December 2019, in Wuhan city , China. As per the information and reports available till now, these are commonly found in animal bodies, like mammals (bats and ant eaters etc). In rare cases it spreads to human body from animals. It is believed that covid 19 also came from animal (ant eater) to humans as per the details available now.

How Corona Virus from one person to another? Mode of transmission?

There are 3 main mode of transmissions:

1. Droplet Transmission.
2. Contact Transmission.
3. Airborne Transmission.

Droplet Transmission:

Viruses spread primarily through saliva or droplets. When an infected person cough or sneeze or talk, the tiny droplets from affected person enters to other person body through mouth, nose etc.

Contact Transmission:

This happens in two ways Direct Contact and Indirect Contact. Virus Travel from one person to another by direct physical contact is called Direct Contact Transmission. When and infected person cough or sneeze, or he touch any object then virus can land on those surfaced and when any normal healthy people touch these surfaces , then also virus can transmit. This is called Indirect Transmission.

Airborne Transmission:

As per the studies available it is not proved that corona virus can transmit through air. However virus these structure and nature can stay air around max up to 3 hour.

How long Corona Virus can live on nonliving surfaces or objects.?

Viruses cannot stay very long outside non living substances. They need living host to survive. However as per the studies it is found that, it can stay up to 72 hrs on objects. As per the recent studies it was detectable on aerosol for up to 3 hrs, up to 4 hrs on copper, 24 hrs on cupboard, and 2 to 3 days on plastics and stainless steel depends upon the external factors like temperature climate etc. 

What are the signs and symptoms of nCovid 19 or corona virus disease?

Once someone got affected with this virus, symptoms can show up from 2nd day to 14th day. As far as we know incubation period period of these virus is 14 days. It affects respiratory system and causes mild to severe respiratory infections. In recent some cases are reported without any symptoms also however most of the cases reported till now are with following symptoms.

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Fatigue
• Shortness of mouth
• Body ache
• Running Nose
• Sore throat.
• Diarrhea with abdominal pain (if intestinal tract affected).

Other Symptoms

• Chest pain and feeling pressure.
• Bluish discoloration of lip.
• Tiredness.

Symptoms may vary from mild to moderate. Some may don't have any symptoms some show symptoms on 14th day or before that. Peoples who have weak immune system, children's, old people above 60 years and who are having other chronic illness are more susceptible to affect this virus badly and causes serious illness like pneumonia etc. It can lead to pneumonia, respiratory distress or failure and may lead to death. If anyone have symptoms mentioned above with risk factors to get infected need immediate medical attention.

When to see a doctor or to get opinion from a Doctor?

• If anyone having signs and symptoms with complications.
• Direct or Indirect contact with corona positive patients.
• If have emergency symptoms like difficult in breathing, chest pain, bluish discoloration.

How to Diagnose nCovid 19 or Corona Virus Disease?:

How to test COVID-19?

Not everyone need to be tested for Covid 19 as per CDC guideline. Three are laboratory tests available to confirm the corona virus presents in our body.

Who Should be tested?

This decision completely depends upon treating doctor decision and as per the local government policies. 

• Patients with Signs and Symptoms, possible exposure cases.
• Symptomatic Healthcare workers.
• High risk patients with Symptoms.

What to do after Corona Virus Testing?

• If the test result is positive - further treatment as per treating doctor and local government. 
• If the Test result is negative- Test result negative doesn't mean that you are not getting sick later. If patient have any risk factors like primary or secondary contact with positive cases, recent travel from effective countries, etc then you have to be in quarantine or isolation from 14 to 28 days as per healthcare directive. It is possible that you may be in earlier stages if infection at the time of testing hence negative results cannot be consider as final.

Can you get Corona Virus Disease or nCOVID 19 twice?

As per the cases reported till now, it is not confirmed that corona will not come twice. And many cases are reported in China and Germany which supports the re occurrence of the same.

What are the Treatments for nCovid 19 or Corona Virus Disease?

"Prevention is better than Cure"

Until now there is no treatments or antiviral medications available against Corona virus, and there is no vaccines available to prevent from Covid 19. 

As this affects mainly respiratory tract and sometime intestinal tract, symptomatic treatment for specific symptoms recommended. If patients is having any complications, then require hospitalization and special care required. The best way to prevent virus is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

What are the preventive measures against Covid 19 or Corona Virus Disease?

• Clean your hands often: With soap and water with minimum 20 second especially after you have been in public area, sneezing, coughing, etc. if water not available can utilize sanitizer instead of water that contain at lease 60% or above alcohol. Avoid touching your face with unclean hands.
• Social Distancing/ Avoid close contact: Stay home as much as possible, work from home, avoid crowds , risk factors. Keep 1 to 2 meter between people if you are going outside. 
• Use Face Mask and Gloves to cover: Especially if you are in crowd or going to contact with sick people. Do not use face mask meant for health workers.
• Cover while cough and Sneeze: Always cover your mouth and face with tissue or cloth or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in trash immediately. Wash your hands with water and soap or sanitizer.
• Clean and Disinfect:  Clean frequently touched surface daily.

What is Social Distancing:

It is also called Physical Distancing means keeping space between yourself and other people outside your home. Stay at least 6 feet distance, stay at home as much as possible, avoid groups, social gatherings,and avoid from crowds.

How to manage nCovid 19 or Corona Virus Disease in Ayurveda?

Till now there is no proven details available against corona virus disease. However as per the Ayurveda treatment principles can treat for associated signs and symptoms and with other supportive measures and medications to improve immunity.

Use of below medications or drugs, will helps to improve immunity.

• Ginger, Turmeric, Guduchi, Tulasi leaves etc 

How to improve immunity against Corona Virus Disease or Covid 19?

• Be active: Do regular exercise, YOGA etc. This will helps to increase the immunity.
• Eat healthy foods : Eat healthy foods, fruits, vegetables which increase immunity, vitamin C supplements and food items. Include Ginger, Turmeric, Guduchi, Tulasi in daily food items.
• Get enough Sleep:
• Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol causes to reduce immunity of our body.
• Avoid over use of TV , Social media which increases mental stress by reading wrong information myths and facts about ongoing outbreak.  

"STAY HOME , BE SAFE BE HEALTHY AND BE TOGETHER"

By

Dr.Rimin Abdul Razak

Ref: WHO, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)