Essay : Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What is a coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19 is a cousin of the SARS virus, has infected
humans since the outbreak began in the city of Wuhan, China, in mid-December of 2019
that has now expanded to other countries. The disease appears to have originated from a
Wuhan seafood market where wild animals, including marmots, birds, rabbits, bats and
snakes, are traded illegally. Coronaviruses are known to jump from animals to humans,
so it’s thought that the first people infected with the disease – a group primarily made up
of stallholders from the seafood market – contracted it from contact with animals.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms vary from person-to-person with COVID-19. It may produce few or no

symptoms. However, it can also lead to severe illness and may be fatal. Common
symptoms include:

 Fever
 Cough
 Sneezing
 Headache
 Chest pain
 Sore throat
 Runny nose
 breathlessness
 Potential loss of taste or smell

It may take 2–14 days for a person to notice symptoms after infection.

Several groups of people have the highest risk of developing complications due to
COVID-19. These groups include:

 the elderly
 young children
 women who are pregnant
 those with a weakened immune system
How it spreads

Viruses can spread from human contact with animals. Officials do not yet know what
animal may have caused the current outbreak in Wuhan.
When it comes to human-to-human transmission of the viruses, often it happens when
someone comes into contact with an infected person's secretions, such as droplets in a
cough.

Depending on how virulent the virus is, a cough, sneeze or handshake could cause
exposure. The virus can also be transmitted by touching something an infected person
has touched and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Caregivers can sometimes be
exposed by handling a patient's waste.

Coronavirus treatment

There is no specific treatment, but research is underway. Most of the time, symptoms
will go away on their own and experts advise seeking care early. If symptoms feel worse
than a standard cold, see your doctor. Doctors can relieve symptoms by prescribing a
pain or fever medication.

Treatments include self-care and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. People can take
several steps, including:

 get rest
 enough sleep
 drinking enough water
 avoiding smoking and smoky areas

How can you prevent it?

No vaccine is currently available for COVID-19. Trials for a vaccine are underway.

You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by…

 Wear a face mask

 Avoiding people who are sick
 Don’t shake hands with people
 Social distancing (within about 6 feet)
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
 Disinfect the objects and surfaces you touch
 Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds