HOW DOES COVID -19 RELATED TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES?

            HOW DOES COVID -19 RELATED TO INFECTIOUS DISEASES?

Coronaviruses have been a source of infectious disease in humans, such as SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). SARS-related coronavirus is mostly found in mammals, like bats. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that get their name from what they look like under a microscope - they are spherical and their surfaces are covered with “crown”-like spikes. Outbreaks of respiratory illness have been reported, originating in a seafood market in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The recognition and order of seven non-structural proteins also found in SARS coronavirus demonstrates that this virus is a SARS-related coronavirus, which the authors temporarily named novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCoV). They determined that 2019-nCoV enters cells through the same route as SARS coronaviruses, via the ACE2 cell receptor. Antibodies isolated from patients are infected with 2019-nCoV are shown to have the potential to compensate the virus. A previously identified horse antibody against SARS-CoV also compensates the virus at a low serum dilution, but whether or not anti-SARS-CoV antibodies cross-react with 2019-nCoV needs to be confirmed using serum from humans who have been recovered from SARS-CoV infection. The authors developed a test which can differentiate 2019-nCoV from all other human coronaviruses; they show that 2019-nCoV was distinguished in initial oral swab samples, but that subsequent samples (taken all over 10 days later) did not have a positive result. This finding suggest that the most likely route of transmission is through the airways of individuals, although the authors note that other possible routes may be possible, and more patient data is needed to look over the transmission routes further. 

Symptoms of Covid – 19:

•         fever
•          dry cough
•          tiredness
•          aches and pains
•          sore throat
•          diarrhoea
•          conjunctivitis
•          headache

Prevent the spread of Covid - 19:

•            Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
•          Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
•          Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
•          Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
•         Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
•          Stay home if you feel unwell.
•          If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.