What is in the Name?
On February 11, 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, charged with naming new viruses, named the novel coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, shortened to SARS-CoV-2.
As the name indicates, the virus is related to the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) that caused an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003, however it is not the same virus.
What is Covid-19
- It is caused by one of the members of the coronavirus family. Interestingly, this member was never been encountered before.
- However, when it comes to its origin, it is similar to other coronaviruses. It has come from animals.
- Many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the centre of the Chinese city.
- China’s national health commission has confirmed human-to-human transmission, and there have been such transmissions elsewhere.
Symptoms of Covid-19P
- Pneumonia
- Coughs
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties
- Organ failure (only in severe cases)
Treatment Options
- Remember, this is viral pneumonia. Hence forget about antibiotics. Antiviral drugs that are effective against flu will not work either.
- Your recovery depends on your immune system. Stronger the system better the chance to recover.
- Generally, most of the people who were killed by this coronavirus were already in poor health.
When should you visit the Doctor?
Are you returning from the areas/countries affected by coronavirus? If yes, then you should visit the doctor soon after experiencing any symptoms mentioned above. Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu.
What we don’t know yet
We don’t know how contagious the coronavirus is. Hand-washing and avoiding other people if you feel unwell are important. One sensible step is to get the flu vaccine.
