The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared a global health emergency over the outbreak of coronavirus. The virus has managed to kill more than 250 people in China and has caused a massive outbreak in Wuhan. So, to prevent this virus, what could be done apart from wearing a half face mask? Read and find out in this post.
The situation turned out to be so severe that the Chinese government had to lock down almost 20 cities, housing more than 56 million people. The other countries are not untouched from this virus anymore. In fact, almost 12000 cases have come up across the globe so far.
So, what is this virus about? What are the symptoms? And, what could be done to cure or prevent this virus? Let's find out.
What is coronavirus?
As per the description by the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are liable for causing illnesses that can range from a common cold and go up to severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and SARS.
Originally, these viruses are transmitted between people and animal. For instance, SARS was believed to be transmitted to humans from civet cats, while MERS was transmitted from a certain type of camels. Moreover, there is a variety of coronaviruses that are spread among the fauna that have not been identified.
Back on January 7, the new coronavirus that is identified by the Chinese authorities is named 2019-nCoV. This one is a new thread in the family that was not identified previously in humans.
Symptoms of Coronavirus:
WHO has stated that the symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the signs of a common, regular infection. The signs include cough, fever, and shortness of breath along with other breathing difficulties.
If the situation is severe, it can lead to an acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, pneumonia, and death, in some cases. Although the incubation period of this virus is unknown, as per some sources, it could be anywhere between 10 to 14 days.
How Far Has the Virus Spread?
The majority of coronavirus cases have been reported in China. And, the deaths caused by this virus have been majorly in Hubei Province of China. However, the virus has managed to spread across different countries as well.
Apart from China, most of the cases have been reported in Australia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Some of the Asian countries are touched with coronavirus as well.
How Is the Virus Being Stopped?
Unfortunately, so far, there is no vaccine for this new virus yet. To prevent it from spreading any further, Chinese authorities have sealed Wuhan. A lot of other Chinese cities have also adopted restrictions on transportation, which has extensively affected the lives of 56 million people.
An array of airlines, including British Airways and United Airlines have cancelled flights to China. Around the world, airports have implemented screening measures, such as encouraging people to wear full face masks, and more. And some countries are also working on the evacuation of their citizens from the city of Wuhan.
How Can You Decrease the Risk of Coronavirus?
With no particular cure invented for this virus, panic has seeped even deeper in the minds of people. However, the WHO has recommended certain measures that you can adopt to protect yourself from contracting this virus.
Just as you protect yourself from contracting a common cold, you have to take care of adequate respiratory and hand hygiene. Along with that, you can also consider buying a dust mask to protect from contracting the virus.
Additionally, follow the below mention guidelines, and you may reduce the risk of contracting this virus considerably:
- Use soap and warm water to wash your hands thoroughly; you can even use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Keep your fingers and hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth; especially if you haven’t washed them
- Prevent going too close to an infected person
In case you contract coronavirus infection, take the following precautions:
- Take a lot of rest
- Don’t skip on fluids
- Take medicine after consulting a doctor
Installing a humidifier in the home can also help to keep the virus at a bay. It will not just purify the air in your room but will also ease a scratchy and sore throat.
There Is No Reason to Panic:
Undoubtedly, the world is in a panic since the time WHO declared a global health emergency. Of course, the spread of coronavirus outside China could be a worrying factor, but it does not seem to be as deadly as in China. Experts recommend not to spread myths in this situation and stay as alert as possible.
