Who Are Those At Increased Risk?
If you come into contact with someone who’s carrying SARS-CoV-2, you’re at high risk for contracting it, especially if you’ve been exposed to their saliva or been near them when they coughed or sneezed.
Again, if you don’t take proper prevention measures, you’re also at high risk if you:
- live with someone who has SARS-CoV-2
- provide home care for someone who has contracted the virus
- have an intimate partner who has SARS-CoV-2
Furthermore, older people and people with underlying health conditions have a higher risk of severe complications if they contract the virus. Some of these health conditions are:
- lung conditions, like Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma
- certain heart conditions
- immune system conditions like HIV
- cancer that needs treatment
- severe level of obesity
- other health conditions, if not managed well like diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease
It is also believed that pregnant women have a higher risk of complications from other viral infections. However, it’s not yet known if this is the case for COVID-19. According to the CDC, pregnant people appear to have the same risk of contracting the virus as adults who aren’t pregnant. It is unlikely that the virus is spread from mother to child during pregnancy, but the newborn is capable of contracting the virus after birth.
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COVID-19 Diagnosis
Currently, the testing for COVID-19 is limited to only people who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 which is the official name for the novel coronavirus, or who have certain symptoms, like those outlined earlier.
Furthermore, if you suspect you’ve contracted SARS-CoV-2, call your doctor’s office. Over the phone, your doctor or nurse can assess your health status and risks. Thus, they can then give you directions as to how and where to go for testing, and help guide you to the right type of care.
On the 21st of April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the first COVID-19 home testing kit. Using the cotton swab provided, people will be able to collect nasal samples which will be mailed to a designated laboratory for testing.
The emergency use authorization specifies that these test kits are authorized for use by people who healthcare professionals have identified as having suspected COVID-19.
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What Treatment Options Are Available?
Currently, there is no treatment specifically approved for COVID-19, and no cure for the infection. However, there are treatments and vaccines are currently under investigation. Rather, treatment is centered on managing the symptoms as the virus runs its course.
Therefore, seek medical help immediately if you think you have COVID-19. The doctors will be able to recommend treatment for any symptoms or complications that develop. Also, they are in a better place to let you know if you need to seek emergency treatment.
Furthermore, other coronaviruses like SARS and MERS are also treated by managing their symptoms. In some cases, experimental treatments can be tested to find out their level of effectiveness.
Some of the examples of these therapies used for these illnesses include:
- antiviral or retroviral medications
- blood plasma transfusions
- steroids to reduce lung swelling
- breathing support like mechanical ventilation
Coronavirus Cure Research Update
The Possible Complications From COVID-19
A type of pneumonia called 2019 Novel Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia (NCIP) is the most severe complication of COVID-19.
According to results from a 2020 study on 138 people admitted into hospitals in Wuhan, China with NCIP, it was discovered that 26% of those admitted had severe cases and needed to be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Around 4.3% of these people who were admitted to the ICU died from this type of pneumonia.
Very importantly, it should be noted that people who were admitted to the ICU were on average older and had more underlying health conditions than people who didn’t go to the ICU.
At this time, NCIP is the only complication specifically linked to the 2019 coronavirus. Nevertheless, researchers have noticed some other complications in people who have developed COVID-19. They are:
- acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- heart damage or heart attack
- irregular heart rate (arrhythmia)
- severe muscle pain (myalgia)
- cardiovascular shock
- fatigue
What Should You Do If You Want To Protect Yourself From Coronavirus?
Below are tips you can follow to help protect yourself and other people from a SARS-CoV-2 infection:
1. Wash Your Hands.
The first tip we’ll talk about here is washing your hands. Make sure to wash your hands often with soap and warm running water. However, if this isn’t available, CDC recommends that you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol.
2. Avoid Touching Your Face or Mouth.
The second tip on our list is avoiding touching your face. This is something we should all take seriously because touching our faces or mouths when we haven’t washed your hands can transfer the virus to these areas and potentially make you sick.
3. Maintain Distance.
Next on our list is maintaining distance. Endeavor to avoid close contact with people who are ill. Also, if you’re around someone that’s coughing or sneezing, try to stay at least 6 feet away from the individual. Don’t try to take any chances as these are some of the coronavirus symptoms.
4. Don’t Share Personal Items.
Also on our list of prevention tips is to avoid sharing your personal items. This is because sharing items like eating utensils and drinking glasses can potentially spread the virus.
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5. Cover Your Mouth Whenever You Sneeze or Cough.
Another preventive measure you can observe is to try to cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or into a tissue. Be sure to dispose of any used tissues immediately after you use them.
6. Stay Home If You’re Sick.
This might be difficult to observe especially if you’re not one used to staying indoors. However, if you’re already ill, try your best to stay at home until you fully recover.
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7. Clean Surfaces.
Again, another prevention tip is using household cleaning sprays or wipes to clean high-touch surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, and keyboards.
8. Keep yourself informed.
Furthermore, the CDC continuously updates information on Coronavirus symptoms and other Coronavirus related areas as it becomes available. Also, the WHO publishes situation reports daily.
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Is Wearing A Mask A Necessity?
If you find yourself in a public setting where it’s hard to follow physical distancing guidelines, the CDC recommends that you wear a cloth face mask for the purpose of covering your mouth and nose.
Also, if we all wear it correctly, these masks can help to slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and by a large percentage of the public.
Wondering how? This is because these masks can block the respiratory droplets of people who may be asymptomatic or people who have the virus but aren’t yet diagnosed. When you exhale, talk, cough, or sneeze, respiratory droplets get into the air.
Furthermore, using basic materials such as a bandana, a T-shirt, or cotton fabric, you can make your own mask. The CDC has helped out by providing instructions for making one with scissors or with a sewing machine.
Again, cloth masks are preferred for the general public since the other types of masks are to be reserved for only healthcare workers.
It’s very imperative that the mask is kept clean. It is to be washed each time you use it. Do your best to avoid touching the front of it with your hands. Again, avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes when you remove it. What this does is to prevent you from possibly transferring the virus from a mask to your hands and from your hands to your face.
Bear in mind that wearing a mask doesn’t replace the other preventive measures like frequent handwashing and practicing physical distancing. They are all important.
In addition, note that certain people are not supposed to wear face masks. Some of these people include children under the age of two, people who have trouble breathing, and people who are unable to remove their own masks by themselves.
When Should You Seek For Medical Care?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80 percent of people recover from COVID-19 without the need for hospitalization or special treatment.
Furthermore, if you’re young and healthy with only mild symptoms, your doctor will likely suggest that you isolate yourself at home and to reduce contact with others in your household. Also, you will likely be advised to rest, stay well hydrated, and to monitor your symptoms closely.
Then, if you’re an older adult and have any underlying health conditions or a compromised immune system, make sure to contact your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms. Your doctor will suggest to you the best course of action you should take.
Again, if your symptoms get worse with home care, it’s very necessary that you get medical care immediately. Get in touch with your local hospital, clinic, or urgent care to let them know you’ll be coming in, and wear a face mask once you leave your home. Additionally, you can call 911 for immediate medical attention.
What Are The Other Types Of Coronaviruses?
The name of a coronavirus is gotten from the way it looks under a microscope.
The meaning of the word “corona” is “crown,” and when closely examined, the round virus has a “crown” of proteins called peplomers sticking out from its center in every direction. These proteins are what help the virus determine whether its host can be infected.
Back in the early parts of the 2000s, the condition known as the Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was also linked to a highly infectious coronavirus. However, the SARS virus has since been contained which is a relief to some degree.
Conclusion
First and foremost, don’t be afraid. There is no need for you to be quarantined unless you suspect you have contracted the virus or have a confirmed test result.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is caused by an infection with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The major symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Furthermore, since COVID-19 can become serious, it’s very necessary to recognize how coronavirus symptoms differ from other conditions. To do this, you can carefully consider your symptoms, their development, and your risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
Again, if you think that you have COVID-19, call your doctor immediately. It’s very important because they can help determine if you need to be tested. Plan to stay at home until you’ve made a full recovery. However, always seek emergency treatment if your symptoms begin to get worse.
The use of the first COVID-19 home testing kit was approved on April 21 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). People will be able to collect a nasal sample and mail it to a designated laboratory for testing using the cotton swab provided.
Also, the test kit is authorized for use by people who healthcare professionals have identified as having suspected COVID-19.
Lastly, there are no vaccines or antivirals available for COVID-19 at the moment. However, observing simple preventive measures can help protect you and others. These measures include things like frequent handwashing, not touching your face, and staying home when sick.
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