We hear little about the virus, but the symptoms and how we can prevent them. So I will share information researched on the internet through questions I ask myself to try to understand what is this disease that haunts us so much and leaves so many victims.
Why is the name coronavirus?
Because this family of viruses has the characteristic of looking like a crown.
But where does this virus come from?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large viral family, known since the mid-1960s, that cause respiratory infections in humans and animals.
What causes this virus?
Coronavirus infections usually cause mild to moderate respiratory illnesses, similar to a common cold. Most people become infected with common coronaviruses throughout their lives, with young children more likely to become infected.
What are the types of coronaviruses?
The types of coronaviruses known to date are:
Alpha coronavirus 229E and NL63;
Beta coronavirus OC43 and HKU1;
SARS-CoV (causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS);
MERS-CoV (causing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS);
SARS-CoV-2: new type of virus of the agent coronavirus, called coronavirus.
Some coronaviruses can cause serious diseases with a major impact on public health, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), identified in 2002, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), identified in 2012.
And the new Coronavirus | Covid-19?
Sars-Cov-2 is the newest member of an already known family. It is formed by viruses that originated in animals.
And what is the origin of this new virus?
It appeared in China on December 31, 2019. Where it is associated with the consumption of wild animal meat. Research indicates that the virus originated from a wild animal sold in the Wuhan market, but which species has not been confirmed. Snake, bat and pangolin were identified as possible transmitters in three surveys.
What can this virus cause?
Common human coronaviruses cause mild to moderate short-term respiratory infections. Symptoms may involve a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. These viruses can sometimes cause lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia. This condition is more common in people with cardiopulmonary diseases, with compromised immune systems, or in the elderly.
MERS-CoV, like SARS-CoV, causes serious infections.
What is it and what is the incubation period?
Incubation period is the time it takes for the first symptoms to appear since coronavirus infection, which can be 2 to 14 days.
What is the transmission period?
In general, viral transmission only occurs while symptoms persist. Viral transmission is possible after symptoms resolve, but the length of the transmissibility period is unknown for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. During the incubation period and asymptomatic cases are not contagious.
What about inter-human transmission?
All coronaviruses are transmitted from person to person, including SARS-CoV, but without sustained transmission. With respect to MERS-CoV, there is the WHO considers that there is currently well-documented evidence of person-to-person transmission, but no evidence that sustained transmission occurs.
E qual o modo de transmissão?
In general, the main form of transmission of coronaviruses is through close contact* from person to person.
* Definition of close contact: Anyone who cared for the patient, including healthcare professionals or family member; who has had physical contact with the patient; stayed in the same place as the sick patient (eg, lived together or visited).
What about the Source of Infection?
Most coronaviruses usually infect only one animal species or at least a small number of closely related species. However, some coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV can infect people and animals. The animal reservoir for SARS-CoV is uncertain but appears to be related to bats. There is also likely to be an animal reservoir for MERS-CoV that has been isolated from camels and bats.
How is coronavirus treatment done?
There is no specific treatment for infections caused by human coronaviruses. In the case of coronavirus, rest and consumption of plenty of water are recommended, in addition to some measures taken to alleviate the symptoms, depending on each case, such as:
Use of medication for pain and fever (antipyretics and analgesics);
Use a humidifier in the room or take a hot shower to help relieve pain and cough.
As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is essential to seek immediate medical help to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment.
All patients who are discharged during the first 07 days of the onset of the condition (any symptom independent of fever), should be alerted to the possibility of a late worsening of the clinical condition and warning signs of complications such as: onset of fever (there may be cases initials without fever), elevation or reappearance of fever or respiratory signs, tachycardia (increased heart rate), pleuritic pain (chest pain), fatigue (tiredness), and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Research Sources: Ministry of Health, Welfare, CDC – Centers for Diesease Control and Prevention
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