Coronavirus: What we need to know

Islamabad (5th Mar, 2020): Coronaviruses are the type of viruses that directly affect the respiratory tract in birds and mammals, including human beings, and are generally associated with the common cold by doctors.

According to reports, Coronaviruses are usually associated with common cold, pneumonia, bronchitis including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by doctors and experts alike. It is likely that they may even affect the gut, respectively.

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Such viruses are considered responsible for the not-so-serious diseases such as the common cold. Nonetheless, certain coronaviruses are also the reason behind severe outbreaks.

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According to reports, scientists have discovered that Corona viruses can affect the following species of living beings:

• Mice
• Rats
• Dogs
• Cats
• Turkeys
• Horses 
• Pigs
• Cattle

Experts believe that there is a possibility of the above animals transmitting the virus to human beings. Moreover, they have managed to identify the most recent coronavirus outbreak in China, namely COVID-19, or the Coronavirus disease 2019, respectively.

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This article focuses on the various types of human coronavuruses or HCoV’s, their potential causes and symptoms, as well as modes of transmitting them. Additionally, this article focuses on three types which are considerably more dangerous including:

• COVID-19
• SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
• MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome)

According to reports, the coronavirus was initially discovered by experts in the year 1937. They found that the virus was responsible for infecting various bird types with bronchitis that eventually caused devastating consequences for the poultry business. Experts then moved on to discover evidence of human coronaviruses also known as HCoVs in people who suffered from common cold, namely the OC43 and 229E. They termed it as coronavirous for the unusual crown like appearance.

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Furthermore, the coronavirus infections in humans are most likely to occur during the winter seasons and/or in early spring since people are more likely to contract the common cold or flu during that time. Scientists argue that because the coronavirus antibodies do not last for longer periods of time thereby, they may be “ineffective” against another one, respectively.

Although symptoms may vary from person to person, it is argued that coronavirus usually sets in after 2 to 4 days of common cold symptoms which may include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Fever in rare cases
• Sore throat
• Exacerbated asthma

Scientists believe that they cannot easily “cultivate human coronaviruses” which is why it is troublesome to gauge the exact impact the coronavirus may have on economies and public health. Moreover, since there is no specific cure other than over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, experts advise patients to take rest as much as possible. They argue that avoiding overexertion may help in getting better as well as drinking water, avoiding smoky areas, and using a clean humidifier et cetera.

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In addition to this, while limited information is available on how HCoVs are transmitted between people, researchers believe it is possible in the following ways:

• In the form of mucus (in the respiratory system)
• Coughing and/or sneezing
• Touching such as shaking hands, rubbing eyes/nose/mouth
• Touching surface infected by virus droplets such as door handles
• Through feline coronaviruses (FCoVs)

Moreover, according to the National Institues of Health (NIH) small children, older people (usually 65 or above) or pregnant women are most likely to be infected by the virus. Experts believe that to prevent the transmission, people should avoid crowded areas and large social gatherings as well as covering their mouths and noses while in public.

The most recent coronavirus, identified as COVID-19, was first discovered by scientists in Wuhan, China where the outbreak started. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already declared it a global health emergency.

Director-General of WHO in a media briefing on the 17th of February the following statistics:

Stage of severity              Rough percentage of people with COVID-19

Mild disease from which a person can recover   More than 80%

Severe disease, causing breathlessness and pneumonia               Around 14%

Critical disease, including septic shock, respiratory failure, and the failure of more than one organ            About 5%

Fatal disease      2%

The above data was provided by analysing approximately 44,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. He also clarified that risk of complication may also increase with age. Consequently, while some viruses are considered highly contagious, the rate at which the coronavirus may spread is largely undetermined. In certain cases, it may not even display symptoms which include:

• Fever
• Breathlessness
• Cough

Furthermore, while there is no potent treatment for COVID-19 so far, scientists believe they may have replicated the disease which could enable them to detect and treat the virus in people with early detection.

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