Coronavirus in India : Stay Informed Stay Protected!
The whole world is facing an enormous health crisis these days, due to not so unfamiliar pandemic coronavirus, the disease is termed as COVID-19 or coronavirus disease. The extent of coronavirus in India has even led to the lockdown in the entire country as a preventive measure against it. International agencies like WHO and national bodies like FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), EMA are taking stern steps to control the coronavirus outbreak.
Let us understand about Coronavirus in detail;
Coronavirus origin
It first marked its presence in December 2019 when health authorities in Wuhan, China, identified a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause. On further investigation, a novel virus known as corona or SARS-CoV-2 was found as the causative agent of disease named as COVID-19. Since then the list of coronavirus affected countries is increasing day-by-day and has reached to 181 countries in the first week of April 2020.
Status of Coronavirus in India
Though the cases of coronavirus in India are rising at a slow pace, the Government of India is continuously trying to decrease the load of coronavirus in India. The total cases reported in India in the first week of April has reached 3000. Our country has also helped other nations by offering medical supplies to them.
Our healthcare workers have been successfully cured 229 patients of coronavirus in India. Various instructions for awareness to curb coronavirus in India have been introduced by the Government of India. The state governments in India are also ensuring that people must be kept informed about the measures to stay safe during this coronavirus pandemic.
What is coronavirus?
It is a novel virus which binds to the ACE-2 receptor of the host cell through spike proteins and enters the cell. Then it further replicates and leads to the generation of inflammatory responses, causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It leads to major respiratory illness with clinical features like fever, difficulty in breathing and cough. At later stages coronavirus can even cause death.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Coronavirus signs and symptoms include the following 3 major ones;
- Fever
- Cough
- Chest tightness
- Dyspnoea (Difficulty in breathing)
As per the CDC, the symptoms can range from mild to severe and even death. The symptoms could be seen between 2-14 days after exposure to the coronavirus. Unfortunately, many lives have been lost due to coronavirus in India and across the globe. One should be very careful and maintain social distancing to protect themselves from this deadly virus.
How does coronavirus spread?
- It has been observed that coronavirus in India and across the world has been spread via person-to-person direct or indirect contact. Coronavirus spreads by;
- Close contact (<6 ft) between people
- Inhaling or coming in contact with droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks
- Touching contaminated surfaces or objects and touching back own mouth, nose, or eyes
How to prevent coronavirus?
The only way to prevent the spread of coronavirus in India is by maintaining social distance. One can protect themselves by washing hands with soap and clean water and stop touching their face with unwashed hands.
The CDC and Government of India advise following steps to stay protected from coronavirus:
- Washing hands often: It is advised that washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after being to any public place can prevent coronavirus disease.
- In the absence of soap, one should use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- One must avoid touching nose, eyes, face with unwashed hands.
- Everyone should cover their face before sneezing or coughing and use a mask if any symptoms are experienced.
- Stay home: Avoid meeting people, you never know if some person or place is infected with the coronavirus. Abide by the lockdown guidelines and stop the spread of COVID-19.
Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces at homes and public places are advisable. Soap water or 70% alcohol should be used for the same. For disinfection bleach solution (5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water) should be used.
Treatment of coronavirus
As if now no vaccine or particular treatment is available or approved by WHO or FDA for covid-19 patients. But some clinical studies undertaken on the patients test positive for coronavirus have proven that the combination therapy with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin is effective in reducing the viral load of COVID-19. Some other clinical trials are being undertaken by different agencies under the supervision of research institutes around the world to find the cure.
Coronavirus disease: When do you need medical attention?
One should avoid coronavirus infection as much as possible, but in case if someone experiences emergency signs he/she must inform a medical practitioner immediately. These emergency warning signs are:
- Trouble in breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
The status of coronavirus in India and the world is still not under complete control and coronavirus deaths are increasing with each passing day. One should keep themselves safe and as far as possible from going out and coming in contact with this dreadful virus.
Maintain proper hygiene and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Due to the fear of isolation wards or shame one must not hide the symptoms and visit a hospital immediately if symptoms are experienced.
Dermaessentia stands with the world to fight COVID-19 and humbly requests everyone to maintain self-quarantine and stop coronavirus spread.
Stay home and stay safe!