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Covid-19 Pandemic is an unprecedented challenge in front of humanity. This respiratory virus has infected millions, and brought death and despair for many. You have to know these 10 things to beat this challenge and keep yourself, and your family safe!
- Covid-19, Novel Coronavirus or SARS CoV-2 is a new strain of coronavirus, first discovered in an outbreak in Wuhan, China. On March 11, 2020, World Health Organization declared a pandemic, meaning a world-wide spread of infection of COVID-19.
- Coronaviruses are a family of viruses usually causing colds and simple respiratory illnesses. In the past, some forms of Coronaviruses have caused serious infections and regional epidemics like SARS (Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).
- The COVID-19 infections spread through respiratory droplets when infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes out.
- An individual gets this infection when in close proximity to infected person, s/he breathes in these infective droplets, or when s/he touches these droplets on the contaminated surfaces and then, touches nose, mouth or eyes.
- Individuals who are more at risk are people older than 60 years, and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, kidney disease or cancer.
- It takes from 5-14 days to show symptoms. Most common symptoms: fever, dry cough and tiredness. Less common symptoms: aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes.
- Serious symptoms like chest tightness or pain, breathing difficulty or shortness of breath, loss of speech or movement merit immediate medical attention.
- Currently there is no definitive treatment for Covid-19 infection and preventive measures such as handwashing, social distancing, wearing a mask and disinfecting commonly used surfaces are most important.
- The good news is that most of the Covid-19 patients show mild illness and recover fully. Also, children are very less likely to suffer complications or severe disease.
- There are many preventive vaccines in various stages of development and once they are available, this infection can be controlled well.