{"id":2564,"date":"2020-04-06T09:48:35","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T09:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/?p=2564"},"modified":"2023-04-28T06:20:40","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T06:20:40","slug":"how-to-overcome-the-corona-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kauveryhospital.com\/blog\/covid-19\/how-to-overcome-the-corona-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"How to overcome the Corona Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Corona-virus global pandemic of 2020 is the single largest Public Health and Safety risk that the world has seen since World War 2. In over 150 countries of the world, the virus has ravaged through entire cities, towns and provinces killing people or leaving them struggling with the infection. It has brought together lakhs of <\/span>doctors<\/span><\/a>, nurses, medical workers, police, paramilitary and government personnel, like no other crisis has done so far, not even the two world wars. First, second and third world countries have all been equally affected making the pandemic the single largest equalizer in world history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Etymology<\/b><\/p>\n

Corona is the Latin word for crown, and when viewed under the microscope, the virus appears to have a crown-like structure. Incidentally, Corona-virus is not a single virus but a family of viruses that cause various respiratory conditions ranging from common cold to what caused the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

The particular strain of virus which has caused the present crisis was initially named \u2018severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2\u2019 or SARS-CoV-2 by The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. It was later renamed to Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the <\/span>World Health Organization (WHO)<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes of Corona Virus<\/b><\/p>\n

The exact origin of the virus and cause of the crisis is shrouded in mystery and controversy. While various conspiracy theories are popular on social media, the Covid-19 seems to have originated from the wet markets of Wuhan city in Hubei province of China. A popular theory is that viruses were passed on from infected bats to human beings when their meat was consumed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When viruses enter the human body from an infected animal, they can mutate or genetically alter their structure and multiply rapidly in the infected person (host)\u2019s body. You may recall the <\/span>Swine flu<\/span><\/a> and Avian flu outbreaks where the virus spread from pigs and birds to human beings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then what makes the Covid-19 so deadly?<\/b> While every other virus known till date mutates slowly or in a limited way, this strain is known to mutate at a very rapid pace by which more contagious causes 4 stages of spread, or transmission happens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 1: Imported cases<\/b><\/p>\n

Due to the people who have a travel history to an affected country and come in direct contact with infected people and have come back to India. They only test positive. No local transmission.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 2: Local Transmission<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0The infected person returns home and transmits the virus to friends, family, neighbours and others who come in contact with him\/her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 3: Community Transmission<\/b><\/p>\n

When the source of the virus is untraceable. When a patient not exposed to any infected person or one who has not travelled to any of the affected countries tests positive. Large areas get affected when community transmission takes place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stage 4: Epidemic<\/b><\/p>\n

Occurs when the spread of the virus goes out of control and there are many major clusters of infection all over the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does Corona Spread<\/b><\/p>\n

When an infected person coughs or sneezes; droplets of mucus or secretions containing the virus fall on various surfaces around him\/her. When a healthy person touches this surface, the virus clings to his\/her hands. Later, when the person touches his\/her nose or mouth, the virus is inhaled or ingested into the body.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Risk Factors for severe disease<\/b><\/p>\n

Those who are over 60 years of age and with a history of any of these: Cardio Vascular Disease, including Hypertension, <\/span>Diabetes<\/span><\/a>, Chronic Lung or Kidney Disease and any immune suppressive disorders. Most deaths fall under this category.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms of Corona Virus Infection<\/b><\/p>\n

The WHO has issued clear guidelines to doctors on what are the symptoms of Covid-19 infection. While none of them are unique and can be caused by others, a doctor is best qualified to assess the underlying cause and take necessary action. So, consult a doctor when you notice any of these symptoms. Avoid self-medication and do not dismiss the symptoms lightly. You can put yourself and your family at risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The spectrum of the disease can be classified as mild, moderate or severe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n