Everything You Need to Know About Coronavirus

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The WHO chose the name to reflect the type of virus and the month it was first detected — "COVI" for coronavirus, "D" for December, and "19" for 2019.

WHO guidelines on naming cdiseases recommend against referencing a geographical location, an animal, an individual, or a group of people, in order to prevent the use of “inaccurate or stigmatizing” language.

Symptoms, Precautions, and Preparation

What Are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?

According to WHO, the most common signs of coronavirus infection are fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. If there are complications, the virus may cause pneumonia, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), kidney failure, and death.

However, some cases of COVID-19 are asymptomatic, according to one study published in February 2020 in China Center for Disease Control Weekly. Another study published in February 2020, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that one patient who tested positive displayed no symptoms but still spread the virus to five members of her family, suggesting that asymptomatic transmission is possible. However, the CDC notes that it is not yet known to what extent asymptomatic transmission may have played a role in the spread of the virus. 

How Can I Protect Myself From the Coronavirus?

The most effective way to protect yourself from coronavirus is to carry out everyday measures that reduce spread of respiratory viral infections. According to the CDC, these include:

·         Keeping Your Hands Clean Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. You may also want to wash your hands after spending time in communal spaces, such as public transport, workplaces, and schools. The CDC recommends hand-washing over the use of hand sanitizer wherever possible, but notes that sanitizer can still be useful as long as it has an alcohol content over 60 percent.

·         Coughing or Sneezing Into a Tissue And be sure to then throw it out after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your elbow (not your hands).

·         Staying Home if You Are Sick If you are ill or displaying symptoms of respiratory disease, don’t go to school or work.

·         Avoiding Contact With Those Who Are Sick The CDC defines close contact as being within six feet.