BATTLING WITH NEW CORONA VIRUS

Since long time, we have constantly been impacted by numerous fatal diseases caused by wide variety of perilous viruses. Anthrax, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, Zika and Nipah are few of those dangerous viruses which have shook the world. Corona Virus is the latest one to join the list.

Corona was first spotted in December, 2019 in the city of Wuhan in China. Today it has spread to other countries including USA. It’s impact is less in India because people travelling from China to India is relatively less. We need not get worried or feel anxious about the disease but since China is our neighbouring country it is important for us to get aware of the situation.

Dr. Anuradha T, Consultant Pulmonologist, Star Hospitals, Hyderabad Said, “Corona virus can be spotted with the help of electron microscope in the blood of the victims. The virus is known as a Corona Virus because it is present in the Carotenoids. After intensive research, it is found that, it belongs to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). World Health Organization (WHO) has named it as 2019-NCOV. It is known that about 15 years ago, SARS virus had killed hundreds of people across the world.”

Like every other respiratory disease, Corona Virus gets spread from person to person. Another interesting aspect of this virus is, it comes under Zoonotic disease virus which first affects animals and from there it gets transferred to human beings. Before reaching out to human beings, this virus resides in chicken, donkeys, sheep, pigs, camels, fox and some types of rats. In this way, it gets into snakes which eats rats. Since, Chinese are very much fond of snakes, it might got into the human body by consuming snakes. As per the research, it got mostly transferred through Chinese Krait & Chinese Cobra.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of these Corona Virus diseaseis similar to flu like cold, cough, running nose, head ache, throat itching, fever etc. In children, we can find ear infection too. There will be similar symptoms of infection in upper respiratory tract.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Wash hands carefully with soap for at least 15-20 seconds
• If soap is not available we can use sanitizer or hand wash gel
• When we are coughing or sneezing, close it with our hands to avoid spreading to others. After that wash your hands thoroughly
• Stay away from people with cold and cough
• Keep your surroundings  neat & clean
• Stay away from clothes and utensils used by the patient
• After using public toilets, wash your hands with sanitizers

TREATMENT

At present, we do not have definite vaccination for Corona Virus. We can only treat the symptoms of the disease, it is called symptomatic treatment. But since this virus is not in India, we need not worry about it but it is always safe to be aware and stay safe.

Book Appointment: Dr. Anuradha T, Consultant Pulmonologist, Star Hospitals, Hyderabad