CoronaVirus: All You Need To Know

March 29, 2020 Meenakshi Chauhan

For the past few months, the entire world has been facing a situation that is now being referred to as the “Apocalypse”. The entire world is going on lockdown. A disease that started in China a few months back has now made its way to every corner of the world.

With thousands of people dying in Italy, the USA, China, Spain, etc. a wave of fear and panic is prevalent at this moment. People are panic buying toilet papers and stocking up anything and everything.

At this moment it’s our responsibility to not only stay safe but to keep others around us safe. However, people are in a lot of confusion right now not knowing what is right and what is wrong. I have compiled a list of questions and answers that will help you stay aware of the facts and not pay heed to any misinformation.

What is CoronaVirus?

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that cause diseases in both mammals and birds. This is not the first time that this type of virus has been identified. Coronavirus infections are common in animals and humans. In fact, the common cold is also caused by such a virus. Some Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted between animals and humans, but many are not zoonotic.

Human coronaviruses i.e. those affecting humans were first characterized in the 1960s. Since 2003, at least 5 new human coronaviruses have been identified, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) coronavirus, which caused significant morbidity and mortality. In humans, Coronaviruses can cause illness ranging from the mild common cold to the more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (caused by MERS-CoV), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (caused by SARS-CoV).

Generally, these viruses circulate among animals and are transmitted to humans directly or indirectly. Detailed investigations have demonstrated that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans.

These viruses are associated with both upper and lower respiratory tract disease and are likely common human pathogens. The SARS epidemic put the animal coronaviruses in the spotlight. Now the COVID-19 has put a new coronavirus also called n-coronavirus in the spotlight.

They are called coronaviruses because the virus exhibits a characteristic crown of spike proteins around the surface. The predominant illness associated with infections is an upper respiratory infection with occasional cases of pneumonia. Earlier these viruses have also produced asthma exacerbations in children as well as chronic bronchitis in adults and the elderly.

What Is COVID-19?

In December 2019, human cases of pneumonia of unknown origin were reported in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. A new Coronavirus was identified as the cause by the Chinese Authorities. Since then, a number of similar cases have been reported around the world. The virus was initially called novel coronavirus, novel meaning new.

The WHO then declared the disease caused by this virus COVID-19 which has now become a pandemic. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus, ‘D’ for disease, and the 19 is for 2019 (the year when this virus was detected). The Coronavirus which causes COVID-19 has been officially named as SARS-CoV-2 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

How Did This Virus Originate?

At present, the exact source of the virus is not known. Although it was been widely stated that the disease was caused by drinking bat soup, no such evidence has been found. Initially, the people affected by the virus in Wuhan, China had some connection to the seafood and animal market, suggesting the virus must have been circulating in the animals and was transmitted from them. Genetic sequence data reveals that the COVID-19 virus is a close relative of other coronavirus found circulating in Rhinolophus bat (Horseshoe Bat) populations.

However, whether this virus was transmitted directly or indirectly is still not known. There is the possibility that transmission to humans involved an intermediate host. Later on, it just started spreading from human to human via close contact.

What Are The Symptoms Of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:

fever
tiredness
dry cough.

Other symptoms include:

shortness of breath
aches and pains
sore throat
and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. These people generally end up infecting a lot of other people. Hence, social distancing is a must even if the other person seems healthy.

How Does The Virus Spread?

People can catch COVID-19 from others who are infected. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets that are released from the nose or mouth when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or even exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

What To Do If You Have Symptoms Of Cold/Flu?

The symptoms of COVID-19 resemble those of a number of other common diseases (flu, cold, etc.), you may well be infected with one of those instead. If you think you are ill, the first thing to do is to stay at home or in a place where you can reduce your interaction with people as much as possible to avoid spreading the infection further.

It is important that you isolate yourself even if there are mild symptoms. If it is a common cold or flu, you will recover in a few days. However, don’t take the situation lightly and start attending events or meeting people just because you feel that you are suffering from the common cold.

There should ideally be no direct or even indirect physical contact between yourself and those who look after you.

If you are also facing difficulty breathing, call up the hotlines that are available to seek advice. In general, do not go to see a doctor directly. This is because you will encounter other people en route who you could potentially infect if you actually turn out to be ill.

Wear a mask if you are not well to avoid infecting others. Otherwise, a mask is of no particular help. Also, remember there is a shortage of masks worldwide so use the resources wisely.

How Can You Protect Yourself And Others Around You?

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. It’s also important that you stay away from rumours being circulated on social media.

Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub. But remember soap is much more effective than using a sanitizer.
Wash the part of the tap you touch with soap and water before you wash your hands.
Practice social distancing. Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from others. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets containing the virus if the person has the disease.
Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and make you sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Calling in advance will allow your doctor to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
Avoid traveling – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
Avoid crowds as the chances of physical contact with infected people may increase.
Avoid shaking hands.

Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.

Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you're sick.
Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch on a daily basis.

Who Is At Higher Risk?

COVID-2019 can affect anyone. Many youngsters believe that they will easily recover from this disease and have nothing to worry about. But the fact is when you get infected you can pass on the infection to a lot of other people, especially your family members. So, you put a lot of other people at risk.

Older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes) are prone to developing serious illness more often than others. Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild for children and young adults.

Even if you are young and at a lower risk, COVID-19 can certainly affect you too. In order to avoid community spread, it is important that everyone takes precautions.

What Should You Do If You Had Come In Contact With A Corona Positive Person?

You should monitor your health for fever, cough, and shortness of breath during the 14 days after the last day you were in close contact with the sick person. You should not go to work or school and should avoid public places or large gathering for 14 days. If you get sick with fever, cough or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are very mild), you likely have COVID-19. You should isolate yourself at home and away from other people.

If you have any of the following conditions that may increase your risk for a serious infection—age 60 years or older, are pregnant, or have medical conditions—contact your doctor and tell them that you were exposed to someone with COVID-19. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if you need to be evaluated in person or tested.

When Should You Wear A Mask?

Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19.
Do not use a disposable face mask once used.
If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.

How To Use A Mask?

Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
Take the mask and inspect it for any tears or holes.
See which side is the top side (where the metal strip is).
Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards (the colored side).
Place the mask on your face. Bend the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it takes the shape of your nose. There should be no gaps.
Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin completely.
After use, take off the mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.
Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.
Use alcohol-based hand rub or wash your hands with soap and water.
Do not touch the mask while wearing it to avoid touching contaminated surfaces of the mask. If you have to remove or adjust the mask only use the elastic loops to do so.

Are There Any Medicines/Therapies/Vaccines To Cure/Prevent COVID-19?

While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines.

To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019. However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illnesses should be hospitalised.

How Long Is The Incubation Period Of COVID-19?

The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 2-14 days, most commonly around five days.

Can Antibiotics Kill Corona Virus?

As the name suggests, antibiotics only kill bacteria; they cannot kill viruses.

Can Rinsing Your Nose With Saline Help Prevent Infection With The New Coronavirus?

No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.

There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Can Eating Garlic Help Prevent Infection With The New Coronavirus?

Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.

Can Humans Transmit COVID-19 Virus To Animals?

Now that COVID-19 virus infections are widely distributed in the human population there is a possibility for some animals to become infected through close contact with infected humans. To date, two dogs are known to have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus following close contact with infected humans.

However currently, there is no evidence to suggest that animals infected by humans are playing a role in the spread of COVID-19. Human outbreaks are driven by person to person contact.

Can Parcels From China Or Any Affected Country Spread Coronavirus?

From previous research into similar coronaviruses, including those that cause SARS and MERS and are similar to this new virus, scientists believe that the virus cannot survive on letters or packages for an extended time.

Because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely a very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.

Can Spraying Chlorine Or Alcohol On Skin Kill Viruses In The Body?

Applying alcohol or chlorine to the body can cause harm, especially if it enters the eyes or mouth. Although people can use these chemicals to disinfect surfaces, they should not use them on skin.

These products cannot kill viruses within the body.

Can Hand Dryers Kill Virus?

Hand dryers do not kill coronavirus. The best way to protect yourself and others from the virus is to wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

Thermal Scanners Detect Corona Virus?

Thermal scanners can only detect whether someone has a fever or not. In addition, symptoms of COVID-19 can appear 2–10 days after infection, which means that someone infected with the virus could have a normal temperature for a few days before a fever begins. So thermal scanners cannot detect the virus.

Can You Catch COVID-19 From Your Pets?

While till now two dogs have been infected, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.

How Long Can The Virus Survive On Surfaces?

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others.

Can The Infection Be Prevented Using herbal Extracts And Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Medicines?

Sometimes your strong belief can do wonders. Health is defined by the interaction of both body and mind, even strongly believing that a medicine might work — even if it actually doesn’t — often helps the body fight with the disease better. This is called the placebo effect. However, there is no evidence that any herbal or Ayurvedic medicine works to fight this virus.

It is far better established that simple social distancing measures, respiratory hygiene, and washing hands are very effective ways of preventing this and many other infections. As long as you practice such well-established methods of protecting yourself and others and do not substitute them with other untested methods, you should be fine.

Also, boost your natural immunity by consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, get some sunlight when you can, and stay well hydrated. Reduce your stress levels as well, since stress lowers your body’s natural ability to fight infections.

Will warmer weather help to contain the virus spread? Will it reappear once colder weather returns?

Some viral diseases (e.g. flu) are largely seasonal and tend to spread more easily in winters than in the heat of the summer. As of now, whether COVID-19 will fall into this category or not cannot be stated. It could completely vanish after the summer or could appear again in a second wave. We simply don’t know yet.

There are chances that the temperature might not affect the virus as it is already present in countries like Singapore and Australia which have a high temperature.

Can COVID-19 Spread Through Food (Including Frozen and Packaged Food)?

Currently, there is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. Before preparing or eating food it is important to always wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds for general food safety. Throughout the day wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, or going to the bathroom.

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that is shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures.

Can Drinking Warm Water Regularly During The First 4-5 Days Of Infection Prevent COVID-19?

No, there is no evidence that the virus can be killed by drinking warm water regularly. It is being widely circulated on the internet that the virus remains in the respiratory tract for the first 4-5 days and so drinking warm water can kill the virus. However, there is no proof of this.

Should I Go To A Funeral For Someone Who Died Of COVID-19?

There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19.

Are You At Risk If You Touch Someone Who Died Of Corona?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to mainly spread from close contact (i.e., within about 6 feet) with a person who is currently sick with COVID-19. The virus likely spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory infections spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. This type of spread is not a concern after someone dies.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Since its a new disease, studies are still being conducted. People should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19.

Can COVID-19 Be Transmitted Through Mosquitoes or Houseflies?

To date, there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes or flies.

If You Can Hold Your Breath For 10 Seconds You Don’t Have COVID-19.

This test may be effective to identify someone who has severe lung disease. This test will not identify someone who is infected but has mild to no symptoms.

It’s important to understand that the situation is serious but panic is not the solution to any problem. Stay updated and take all the precautions.

If you have any questions please type in the comment section and I will try to find answers for you.