What is COVID 19: Symptoms, Spread, Risks & Prevention
What is Covid 19, Symptoms, Spread, Affected Countries, Risks and Prevention
Let us now understand the hot question of what is covid 19 and how does it spread.
To understand the basics, we will go step by step to learn what is this all about. COVID-19 (corona virus disease 2019) is a new respiratory disease spreading across the world.
Although it emerged from Wuhan, China, it has now entered almost every country and the respective governments have started to report number of positive cases and deaths.
It is high time that we should understand what is COVID-19 and how does it spread everywhere so fast.
What are COVID-19 Common Symptoms?
COVID-19 is a new respiratory disease caused by the novel virus called Corona. Some of the common symptoms are
- Sore throat
- Dry Cough
- Fever
- Breathing difficulty (Shortness of breath)
- Diarrhoea
- Pains
- Aches
Findings suggest that one out of every six people who gets COVID-19 finds difficulty in breathing and becomes seriously ill.
How Does Corona Virus (COVID-19) Spread?
Since the virus is novel, research is going on to study the actual spread of this virus.
However, initial findings suggests, this virus spreads mainly from person to person.
- Person-to-Person: Between people who are in close contact with one another
- Droplets: Spreads mainly by droplets produced as a result of sneezing or coughing by a COVID-19 infected person.
- Indirect Contact: Droplets survive on surfaces and other areas like cloths, metal objects, etc for many days. It is found that, touching any of those infected areas with hand and then touching one’s nose, eyes and mouth can transmit the disease.
Countries Most Affected With COVID-19
So far the most affected countries with COVID-19 includes China, USA, India, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Iran, United Kingdom, Switzerland and South Korea.
With more 155 countries confirming coronavirus cases, and many countries reporting suspected cases, the outbreak has already placed the world on a high alert.
Latest Top 5 most affected countries worldwide COVID Spread Statistical Data below.
Source: Data as on 07th Feb 2021. This data changes so rapidly. Kindly check World Health Organization Report for more updated data.
Who are at Higher Risk of Getting Infected ?
- Mostly people who have less immune system in their body. People older than 60 years of age and people with medical problems like high blood pressure, cancer, heart related problems, Asthma or respiratory diseases are at high risk of getting infected with COVID-19.
- Anyone who have travelled to other countries in the last two to three weeks and their family members
- People coming from other states if they have been working with people who travelled to other countries in the last two to three weeks
- Family members and contacts of patients confirmed to have COVID-19
Top Preventive Measures to Stop COVID-19
Some of the top basic preventive measures that can help stop coronavirus as below
- HANDS – Wash them often with Hand Sanitizer (if available) or with simple soap solution for 20 seconds
- ELBOW – Cough into it
- FACE – Don’t touch it
- SAFE DISTANCE – Always try to keep safe distance with other person. Even with your family members and friends. Maintain minimum 3 meter distance with people who are unwell.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING – Means staying home and working remotely whenever possible. If you must go out for any necessities, maintain a distance of minimum 6 feet from other people. There are high chances that this virus can spread by speaking to people in close contact with you.
- HOME – Stay at home as much as possible to avoid getting infected with COVID-19.
- COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE – Do you know that COVID-19 virus is found in high amounts nearby mouth and nose?
- This simply means there is a high probability this virus can be carried by air droplets to other people when you cough or sneeze. It can also land of other surfaces and stay upto 3 days or more.
- STOP HUGGING PEOPLE – There is a high chance of this virus spreading from skin to skin. Hence avoid hugging people for another few weeks atleast. Also avoid shaking hands
- SELF QUARANTINE IF SICK – Better to stay at home until you recover if you are sick and call your doctor if you find any COVID symptoms.
Conclusion:
Follow the above tips answers the basic question about what is covid 19 and how does it spread.
This also helps in prevent yourself from catching or spreading COVID-19.
The spread can be controlled by seriously following all of the prevention methods and very soon one day we will all return back to the normalcy and lead a more hygienic lifestyle.
More updates on COVID-19 in my upcoming posts. Stay tuned…