Protect Yourself and Other from COVID_19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus COVID-19. COVID-19 is closely related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) which swept around the world from 2002 to 2003.

At the end of December 2019, Chinese public health authorities reported several cases of acute respiratory syndrome in Wuhan City, Hubei province, China. The disease is now referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the causative virus is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The initial outbreak in Wuhan spread rapidly & affecting more than 202 countries now. Outbreaks and clusters of the disease have since been observed in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and the Americas.

Symptoms:

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-COV viruses).

• Cough
• Fever
• Breathing problem

Emergency Warning Signs from COVID -19

·         Shortness of breathing

• Pressure & Pain in the chest
• Inability to arouse
• Bluishlips& face

Know-How COVID-19Spreads:

• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
• Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Between people who are in close contact with one another

Symptoms depend upon Individual:

·         The infectivity and the severity of the disease, as well as the mortality, are determined by the immune response of the host.

·         COVID 19 causes more suffering in the elderly and more mortality. Though the young patients are infected, they usually show mild or no symptoms. 

·         In 80% of cases symptoms are mild,  15% cases symptoms are moderate and 5% cases having severe symptoms like ARDS and overall mortality is around 2.5%.

·         Most of the mortality is above 60 years of age with highest above 80 ( 14 % in Italy vs 10% in Wuhan).

·         Apart from this age composition, another factor is important which is the immunity of the host. We have two types of immunity. The first line is Innate immunity and 2nd line is Adaptive immunity.  The innate immunity does not have a memory and it is mediated by NK cells, macrophages and neutrophils. The Adaptive immunity is mediated by T and B lymphocytes and it needs a memory of a previous encounter with the pathogen. But here our Innate immunity is important as the COVID 19 is a new virus.

·         3. Environment: It is a hot topic now that whether the hot climate of our country will be able to kill the virus? We still don't know.

·         Amidst of fearful theories, I tried to offer you a ray of hope. I believe we can win the disease with positivity.

Some Step to Protect Yourself& Others:

1. Wash your hands often:

• Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hand after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

2. Stay at Home & Avoid Close Contact:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.

3. Cover during coughing and sneezing:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.

There are currently no vaccines against COVID-19. As Doctor, I am always trying to help & create awareness on a disease like joint pain, rheumatology, COVID-19 etc.