Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Everything You Should Know

In December 2019, there was a coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China. The virus quickly spread to other parts of the world and became widely known as Covid-19. Wuhan and other neighbouring cities were quarantined, but that wasn’t enough to contain the virus. Over 100 countries, including the UK, have seen a high number of confirmed covid-19 cases and deaths.

What is a Coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a specific kind of virus that originates from animals. It can be transmitted from animals to humans and also from person to person. Apart from Covid-19, there are other known human coronaviruses. They include;

• MERS virus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)
• SARS virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). It originated from the southern part of China, Guangdong province specifically.

What are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?

Symptoms of Covid-19 range from moderate to critical. It takes about 2 weeks for symptoms of the virus to manifest after exposure to the virus. The initial symptoms are similar to that of the common cold, and they include;

• Cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and runny nose
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Loss of smell or taste

People who have underlying illnesses or a weak immune system are more vulnerable and often develop severe symptoms like pneumonia. It is also possible not to develop any symptoms after exposure to the virus. Although most of the confirmed cases have been in adults, there have also been confirmed cases of children. There is currently no evidence to show that children are more likely to get infected, but you can always get Covid testing in London if you think your child may have been exposed to the virus.

What causes a Coronavirus Infection?

Coronavirus is gotten when humans come in contact with an infected animal. Human to human contact is the medium through which the virus further spreads. As at now, health practitioners still have no idea from which animal, the covid-19 virus originated from.

The virus spreads mainly through human contact and body fluids like cough droplets of an infected person. It can also be contracted by touching contaminated surfaces and placing your hands on your eyes, nose or mouth.

How is Coronavirus Diagnosed?

If you think you have been exposed to the virus, the first thing to do is to consult with a doctor. Ensure you give the clinic all necessary information before going in. This gives room for the clinic to properly guide you through all the essential steps and protocol. In order to diagnose you with covid-19, the doctor has to first rule out all other possible causes like common cold or infection. You would most likely be required to self-isolate to prevent any further spread of the infection.

Can Coronavirus be Prevented or Avoided?

Covid-19 protocols are put in place to prevent further infections. Some of these protocols include;

• Practice social distancing. At unprecedented times like this, it is most advisable to avoid crowded places or large gatherings. Do not stay close to people who are ill and stay at home if you are sick.
• Sneeze or cough into your bent elbow or a disposable tissue paper. Properly dispose of the tissue immediately after use. Avoid coughing into your hands.
• Wash your hands as often as possible with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Do this before and after eating, after going to the loo and after coughing sneezing or blowing your nose.
• An alternative to soap and water is alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• As much as possible, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. If the dirt on your hands is visible, ensure you wash it with soap and clean water.

Coronavirus Treatment

Currently, there is no approved vaccine for treating Covid-19 Virus. In some cases, the common cold symptoms are combated by the body’s immune system and leave after some time. If your symptoms get worse, you should consult your doctor right away.

Do not take any medicine that has not been approved or prescribed by your doctor. More importantly, do not take hydroxychloroquine in any form as a cure for covid-19, unless prescribed by your doctor. If you feel down with a cold, take lots of fluid and get adequate rest. Consult your doctor if you do not feel better or are having difficulty breathing.

Living with a Coronavirus

If, after going to a PCR test clinic in London, you test positive for the virus, do not panic. Avoid as much contact with others as possible and ensure you get the necessary treatment. It is possible to have the virus and not display any symptoms. Wearing a face mask in public has been recommended by the Centre for Disease and Control (CDC) as this helps to reduce the spread of the virus. A face mask covers your nose and mask, thereby inhibiting cough droplets. Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between you and other people.

Questions to Ask your Doctor

• What measures can I take to avoid infecting my friends and family with Covid-19?
• Are there over-the-counter medicines I can use to alleviate my symptoms?
• Are there any health complications I should be worried about due to Covid-19 virus?
• What symptoms indicate a complication I should look out for?

For more information as regards coronavirus and getting a PCR test in London, do ensure you reach out to us today.