2. What Is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large
family of viruses. They are
zoonotic in nature, hence they
can easily transmit between
animals and people ,Almost
every case of coronavirus
infection took place after a
human came in close encounter
with wild animal. The
encounter included living in a
closed environment or
consuming the meat of the
animal.
3. COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 or popularly known as
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS
coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2).
A research team said COVID-19 may originate in bats. The
genome sequencing of the novel coronavirus is as high as 96
percent identical with a type of coronavirus from bats, the
team said, adding that the new coronavirus enters the
receptor using the same cells with SARS virus.
4. What are symptoms of coronavirus?
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will
develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.
Most common symptoms:
•fever
•cough
•tiredness
•loss of taste or smell.
Less common symptoms:
•sore throat
•headache
•aches and pains
•diarrhea
•a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes
•red or irritated eyes.
Serious symptoms:
•difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
•loss of speech or mobility, or confusion
•chest pain.
5. Laboratory Examination for Diagnosis
If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of a
COVID-19 infection you should self-isolate as directed
by your local public health authority. Coronavirus
infections can be detected by several types of testing
methods, including molecular testing, antigen testing
and antibody testing. Testing can be done by taking a
nasal swab, a throat swab, an oral fluid swab or a saliva
sample.
6. Treatments
The FDA has authorized antiviral medications to
treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who
are more likely to get very sick.
Antiviral treatment -target specific parts of the virus to stop
it from multiplying in the body, helping to prevent severe
illness and death.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides COVID-19
Treatment Guidelines for healthcare providers to help them work
with their patients and determine the best treatment options for
them. Several options are available for treating COVID-19. They
include:
7. Treatment Who When How
Adults; children
ages 12 years and
older
Start as soon as
possible; must begin
within 5 days of when
symptoms start
Taken at home by
mouth (orally)
Adults and children Start as soon as possible;
must begin within 7 days of
when symptoms start
Intravenous (IV)
infusions at a
healthcare facility for 3
consecutive days
Adults Start as soon as possible;
must begin within 5 days of
when symptoms start
Taken at home by
mouth (orally)
Nimatrelvir with
Ritonovir (paxloid)
Remdesivir
(veklury)
Molnupiravir
8. Managing COVID-19 symptoms
Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and
can recover at home. You can treat symptoms with
over-the-counter medicines, such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil), to help you feel better.
COVID-19 Preventative Actions
COVID-19 can be prevented through pharmaceutical
vaccination) and non-pharmaceutical interventions
masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene). All of these
preventative measures are important to protect
individuals from acquiring and transmitting the SARS-
CoV-2 virus and should be done in conjunction with one
another.
9. Vaccination
Getting vaccinated is a preventative measure that people can
take to avoid getting sick with COVID-19 and to avoid infecting
others. While safe and effective vaccines are a great tool for
prevention, it is important to continue other preventative actions
such as wearing masks, performing hand hygiene, physically
distancing from others, and avoiding crowded spaces and spaces
with poor ventilation.7
Masks
Wearing masks is another important preventative action for
COVID-19 that should continue to be performed. When selecting
a mask, there are many factors to consider. Masks should
10. •Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
•Completely cover the nose and mouth
•Fit snug against the sides of the face and not have gaps
•Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of
the mask
Other preventative actions
Even with the introduction of vaccinations as a tool for
prevention against COVID-19 and the proper use of masks, CDC
recommends the following key COVID-19 preventative
activities: avoiding crowded spaces or spaces that have poor
ventilation or wear a mask in these spaces; performing proper
hand hygiene; keeping high touch surfaces clean; monitoring
symptoms; and getting tested if ill.
