COVID-19 – What , Why ,When , Where and How – Answers

Article by Col P Chandra (Retd)

What is Corona Virus?

Corona Virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered corona virus. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new corona virus that emerged in China in December 2019. The virus looks like a crown under the microscope, hence the name Corona. Some corona viruses affect human beings and cause problems like common cold, mild or serious respiratory ailments etc. Other kinds of corona viruses affect animals. There have been instances when these corona viruses jump from animal species into human population. Since December 2019 corona virus is getting lot of attention because we have not seen this type of virus before. When a new virus emerges the medical fraternity has to learn a lot about it before a medicine or vaccine is developed. One important thing to learn is how the virus does get transmitted from person to person.

The spread of this new corona virus is being monitored across the globe by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization and health organizations like Johns Hopkins. Medical fraternity believes that symptoms start showing up in people within 14 days of exposure to the virus.

What is difference between SARS and COVID 19?

Full form of SARS is “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome”. SARS outbreak also started in China in 2003 and spread to other countries before the end of the year 2004. The virus that causes COVID-19 is similar to the one that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak. Both viruses are types of corona viruses. But much is still unknown and research is going on. But one characteristics can be observed that COVID-19 seems to spread faster than the SARS spread in the year 2003. COVID 19 may also cause less severe illness than SARS.

Symptoms of Infection

As per WHO most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Following are common symptoms:-
• Fever
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Some patients have also reported diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.
• In rare cases, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.

How does it spread?

Most respiratory viruses spread through large droplets which come out when people cough or sneeze. These droplets stay aloft up to six feet and may also drop on surfaces. So the virus may get transmitted from person to person if those surfaces are touched. We are not yet sure whether COVID 1 viruses can pass through air borne droplets or by touching contaminated surfaces. So to be careful we should presume that it can be transmitted both through air borne droplets and by touching infected surfaces. Remember that this is respiratory virus season like influenza etc.
Health systems across the world are busy to safely identify, isolate, evaluate and care for patients who are infected with this new type of corona virus. We have to use protective measures and also quickly identify people who may be risk factor for others. Extra measures like isolation of people, use of bio containment units etc.

How is COVID 19 treated?

As of now, there is not a specific treatment for the novel corona virus. People who become sick from COVID-19 will be required to be treated with supportive measures. The treatment will provide relieve from the pain of symptoms. For severe infection cases, there may be additional options for treatment, including research drugs and therapeutics.

How do I protect myself and others?

The most important point to understand is that the new corona virus spreads mainly from person to person. If an infected person coughs or sneezes, the droplets can infect people nearby. So it is of utmost importance that you avoid close contact with others. Understand that people (including children) may be infected with the new corona virus and still can have only mild symptoms. Some of measures are given below:-

• DM, Gautambudh Nagar has issued many important policy decisions. Get acquainted with these directives and follow them for your own good and for the good of people around you. Policies have been made keeping all factors in mind.
• Follow the orders of police force who are in front line of management of this crisis. This is not the time to argue, analyze, criticize and find fault with various directives.
• Stay home as much as possible and reduce visitors. This is because person to person contact has to be brought to minimum possible. Call friends and family or visit by video.
• Avoid people who appear sick. Help them in contacting doctor and designated treatment agencies appointed by government.
• Practice Social Distancing that PM Modi and the State & Local Administration are stressing so much.
• If you must go to public places stay at least six feet away from others.
• Work from home if your job and employer permits.
• Order grocery, medicines etc online, through e retailers. If you must go to grocery shops and run errands then do it during off-peak hours.
• Practice good hygiene methods.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds especially if you have gone to public places and also after touching elevator buttons, door handles, shopping trolleys, vegetables vendor shop etc.
• Wash hands before preparing food and after using bathroom.
• If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
• Use a tissue paper if you cough or sneeze. Or do so in the bend of your elbow. If you use a tissue, throw it away immediately into a dust bin which has a cover.
• You must wear a mask if you are caring for someone who has respiratory symptoms. Otherwise wearing of mask is not essential.
• If you are going out of your home to get medical care then you must wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms.
Social Distancing
COVID 19 is spreading among communities in many countries. Our government has taken proactive measures to prevent the spread of this virus. So there are few concepts we must understand clearly. There is a public health reason for measures like Lockdown, Cancellation of trains and air travel etc.
• Social distancing means that you should deliberately increase the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19.
• Working from home instead of at the office is another measure of social distancing.
• Closing schools and switching to online classes
• Cancelling or postponing marriage ceremonies, conferences and large gatherings.
Self Quarantine

DM Gautambudh Nagar has issued very clear instructions on self quarantine. All of us should voluntarily embrace these directives which are for benefit of everyone. There is no stigma if you go in self quarantine if you have returned from abroad or if you have developed symptoms like fever, sneezing, cough and cold. In fact people will appreciate this initiative of yours. Administration has published many help lines which can be contacted for assistance. Self-quarantine involves the following:-
• Stay inside your room for 14 days.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from other people in your household.
• Do not have visitors.
• Use good hygiene practices like washing your hands frequently.
• Call CMO/help line if you develop symptoms like fever, sore throat, sneezing etc. Call CMO to take his advice and guidance.
• Isolation will be recommended for those who are found COVID-19 positive.
• Do not be scared of isolation. Isolation is just a health care term. It only means that people who are infected with a contagious illness are kept away from those who are not infected.
• Isolation can take place at home or at a hospital or care facility. CMO will decide upon it. Special personal protective equipment will be used to care for the patients who get admitted in a hospital for care and treatment.

Conclusion

To sum up please understand that COVID-19 is caused by a new type of virus. No medicine or vaccine has been developed for its treatment. So prevention is the best approach to avoid getting infected. Like many other countries COVID-19 has not yet reached community infection stage in India. If it spreads out of control then large number of people will become very sick over the course of a few days. This will overwhelm a hospital or care facility. This is already happening in Italy. New cases are being reported daily in India and the curve is rising. Let us show responsible behavior and help the government in flattening the curve.