Coronavirus: Cause, symptoms and prevention

Lahore, 27th Feb: Coronavirus is a prevalent threat to the world and people are getting terrified by the outbreak of this disease. However, the health experts are assuring people not to get panicked, with some timely precautionary measures, this virus can be contained.

Coronavirus epidemic burst from Wuhan, a city of China last year in December and has been spreading globally since then. These viruses infect mostly bats, pigs and small mammals. But they mutate easily and can jump from animals to humans, and from one human to another. (According to the Wall Street Journal)

The virus infects the lower respiratory tract. Patients initially develop a fever, cough and aches, and can progress to shortness of breath. They might develop nausea, with vomiting and diarrhea.

Some may not show early signs, as the incubation period of coronavirus varies from 1 to 14 days. Some become only mildly ill, or are infected but don’t get sick. Others are mildly ill for a few days, then rapidly develop severe symptoms of pneumonia.

World Health Organization and health experts globally are underway to find the cure for this virus, which according to WHO has started effecting the people world wide and has become a global concern.

According to the sources, a doctor, who consulted his friend (who is currently working on SARS prevention research) on some effective ways to prevent the coronavirus, has given out simple safety measures for the help of people from coronavirus.

How is coronavirus contracted?

1. It is pretty large in size (cell is about 400-500nm diameter), so any normal mask (not just the N95 feature) should be able to filter it out. However, when someone whose infected, sneezes in front of you, it will take 3 meters (about 10 feet), before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.

2. When the virus drops on metal surface, it will live for at least 12 hours. So remember if you come in contact with any metal surface, wash your hands with soap thoroughly.

3. The virus can remain active on fabric for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent should kill the virus. For winter clothing that does not require daily washing, you can put it out under the sun to kill the virus.

Safety measures against coronavirus

Symptoms of the pneumonia caused by Coronavirus:

1. It will first infect the throat, a person will first have a dry sore throat feeling which will last for 3 to 4 days.

2. Then the virus will blend into the nasal fluid and drip into the trachea and enter the lungs, causing pneumonia. This process will take 5 to 6 days.

3. With pneumonia, comes high fever and difficulty in breathing. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You will feel like you are drowning in water. It’s important to go seek immediate medical attention if you feel like this.

Prevention:

1. The most common way of getting infected is by touching things in public, so you must wash your hands frequently. The virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 mins, but a lot can happen in those 5-10 mins (you can rub your eyes or pick your nose unwittingly).

2. You can gargle with Betadine Sore Throat Gargle or Pyodine Gargle and Mouthwash to eliminate or minimize the germs while they are still in your throat (before dripping down to your lungs).

3. Drink plenty of water, as it will help in pushing the virus in the stomach, where the acids produced will help in killing them.

4. Avoid going to large gatherings and crowded places for some time till the fear of coronavirus dies down.

5. Avoid sneezing & coughing openly, always cover your mouth.

6. Try to use good quality mask, specifically N95.

7. Do not indulge in self medication, and avoid using over the counter medicines or antibiotics.

8. Consult a qualified doctors as soon as possible.

Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for further updates.

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