Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Despite a temporary alert from the World Health Organization (WHO), MERS-CoV has not yet been a threat to the population. In contrast to the SARS virus, which at the beginning of 2003 spread from Hong Kong to 37 countries within a few months, with more than 8.000 cases and 774 deaths. No further SARS cases have been reported worldwide since 2004. It is assumed that the pathogen has been eradicated and the disease with MERS-CoV has so far been largely limited to individual cases.
The WHO named the new type of coronavirus "Sars-CoV-2" (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). The name refers to the virus that can, but does not have to cause symptoms.
The respiratory disease caused by Sars-CoV-2 was named "Covid-19" (coronavirus disease 19). Coivd-19 patients are people who carry the Sars-CoV-2 virus and show symptoms. Covid-19 was unknown before the outbreak in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.
According to the medical evidence accepted at the moment, the Covid 19 virus is more transmissible, but less lethal than SARS and more deadly than influenza.
The reports show that the transmission occurs mainly through saliva drops and sneezing of a sick person. These droplets end up on objects and surfaces in the person's surroundings where the virus can remain active for several days. If these droplets come into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth directly, or other body orifices, the person can become infected. Transmission can also occur indirectly via the hands, by touching the face, eyes, lips, etc. People can also become infected if they inhale saliva drops from a person with Sars-CoV-2 who coughs up or exhales droplets. It is therefore important to stay more than 1 meter away from a sick person. There is no evidence that the virus is transmitted through the air like the chickenpox virus.
The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, fatigue and dry cough. Some patients may experience pain and discomfort, a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and start gradually. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
Some people get infected, but do not develop symptoms and feel fine. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. About 1 in 6 people who are infected with Covid-19 become seriously ill and develop breathing difficulties.
Elderly people and people with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, another active infection and/or people with immunosuppression are more likely to develop a serious disease.
You can reduce the risk of infection or spread of Covid-19 by taking some simple precautions:
Think about whether it is perhaps time to live a cleaner and healthier life. Strengthen your immune system through sport, healthy food, rest and also some calmness.
References: WHO and open sources