Corona Virus

What is Corona Virus?
The Corona Virus was first identified in 1937, by researchers isolating one that was responsible for a type of bronchitis in birds that had the potential to decimate poultry stocks.The name “coronavirus” comes from the crown-like projections on their surfaces. “Corona” in Latin means “halo” or “crown.”

There are four Human corona viruses that are prevalent and they include  229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1.
In 2019,an outbreak of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 was first identified the in Wuhan, China according to Centers For Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). The virus soon became a pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization(WHO) as it spread to almost all countries

The WHO report that the two groups most at risk of experiencing severe illness due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection are older adults and people who have other health conditions that compromise their immune systems.

According to the CDC, children are not at higher risk of COVID-19 than adults although there are recent  severe cases in children which is yet to be fully studied 

Symptoms of COVID-19

 The symptoms of the COVID-19 is yet to be completely known as over time the virus presnts new symptoms. This is evidence that there is still alot to be studied about the virus. According to the CDC, people may start to experience symptoms 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

The primary symptoms are a cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. although there are other symtomps that the virus presnts other than those stated above. According to the CDC, a person with neither of those symptoms may still have COVID-19 if they experience at least two of the following:

• chills
• muscle pain
•  headache
• sore throat
• new loss of taste or smell
• muscle pain
• sore throat
• fever

According to the CDC, the following groups have a higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19:

• people of age 65 and above
• people living in nursing homes or care facilities
• anyone,regardless of age having severe underlying health conditions such as chronic lung disease, serious heart conditions, severe obesity, a compromised immune system, or diabetes
• While scientists can easily cultivate rhinoviruses — which also cause the common cold — in the laboratory, this is not the case with coronaviruses. This makes it difficult to gauge the impact of these pathogens.

  There is currently no cure for the cold-like illnesses caused by coronaviruses. Treatments include self-care and over-the-counter medications.

  
  

  A doctor can identify the virus responsible in a sample of fluid from a person’s body, such as a sample of blood or mucus from the nose.
  
  

  Types of the Virus

  There are different types of coronavirus, varying in terms of the disease that they cause as well as how far they spread.

  The common types of corona virus as stated earlier includes

  • 229E (alpha coronavirus)
  • NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
  • OC43 (beta coronavirus)
  • HKU1 (beta coronavirus)

  
  

  In 2019, a new strain, called SARS-CoV-2, started circulating, causing the disease COVID-19.
  
  

  Transmission 

  The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow)

  For example, a coronavirus can spread when a person:

  
  

  • coughs or sneezes without covering their mouth, dispersing droplets into the air
  • touches someone who has the infection
  • touches a surface that has the virus, then touches their own nose, eyes, or mouth
    

  In order to prevent transmission,authorities havbe recomended that people with symptoms should avoid coming into close contact with other people and report sypmtoms to appropriate authorities. Wear a face mask as well to prevent transmission. while coughing, cover the mouth and nose with a tissue and dispose of properly.

More on Corona Virus

Read about how pangolins could be the source of COVID-19 here.