Coronavirus (nCoV-2019): Symptoms, Types, Causes, cost and Treatment

Coronavirus (nCoV-2019)

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Know more about Coronavirus
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Types of Coronavirus:

Common human coronaviruses:

1. 229E (alpha coronavirus)
2. NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
3. OC43 (beta coronavirus)
4. HKU1 (beta coronavirus)

Other human coronaviruses:

5. MERS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS)
6. SARS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS)
7. 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Symptoms of Coronavirus:

According to the WHO, signs of infection include

• fever
• cough
• breathing difficulties.
• runny nose
• headache
• sore throat and
• a general feeling of being unwell
  In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, SARS, kidney failure and even death.
  The incubation period of the coronavirus remains unknown. Some sources say it could be between 10 and 14 days. Read more symptoms of Coronavirus
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How to diagnose the Coronavirus?

Your healthcare provider may order laboratory tests on respiratory specimens and serum (part of your blood) to detect human coronaviruses. Laboratory testing is more likely to be used if you have severe disease or are suspected of having MERS.

If you are experiencing symptoms, you should tell your healthcare provider about any recent travel or contact with animals. Most MERS-CoV infections have been reported from countries in the Arabian Peninsula. Therefore reporting a travel history or contact with camels or camel products is very important when trying to diagnose MERS.
Doctor may tell you to check following diagnostic test according to symptoms:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Dengue Profile Test
• Rapid influenza
• Fever serology profile
• Malaria profile
• Malaria parasite
• Malaria IgG Antibody
• Malaria (PCR)

How does Coronavirus spread?

The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets generated when a person, for example, coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. It is important that everyone practice good respiratory hygiene. For example, sneeze or cough into a flexed elbow, or use a tissue and discard it immediately into a closed bin. It is also very important for people to wash their hands regularly with either alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
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How to protect against new Coronavirus?

Take some of the following precaution to prevent Coronavirus infection:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Practice respiratory hygiene
• Maintain social distancing
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
• If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within China
• As a general precaution, practice general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets
• Avoid consumption of raw or under cooked animal products. Read more about Coronavirus.