The entire world is talking about coronavirus or Covid-19. As of now, more than a million people have been infected by the virus in over 185 countries around the globe. If you are keen to know more about Covid-19, you have come to the right place. We are going to let you know about some of the most important facts related to this outbreak.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is a global outbreak of a disease. You can find numerous pandemics that have taken place in the past. Spanish flu that took place back in 2018 is a perfect example of such a pandemic. Covid-19 has become such a pandemic as well. The World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic back in last February.
COVID-19 was initially discovered back in December 2019. It was spreading fast throughout China in January. Then the disease started spreading rapidly in other countries by February. That’s where the World Health Organization decided to name it as a pandemic.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 stands out for Coronavirus Disease. When the disease was initially found, people called it a 2019 novel coronavirus. However, the way people define this disease changed after several weeks.
COVID-19 is a disease that can create a direct impact on your lungs. Symptoms that are associated with COVID-19 include shortness of breath, cough, fever, and breathing difficulties. In extreme cases, COVID-19 can give life to severe acute respiratory syndrome and pneumonia. As per the latest statistics, more than 10% of the people who get affected by COVID-19 end up with death.
The worst thing about COVID-19 is that the symptoms associated with the health condition will not show immediately. It will take from 2 to 14 days for a person to develop the symptoms. It depends mainly on the immunity of people. Due to the same reason, people can go on spreading the disease to others, without knowing it. This is one of the most significant factors behind the rapid spread of the disease around the world.
Where how did it start?
COVID-19 started in Wuhan, China. According to the initial reports, few people who were linked with Huanan Seafood Market in China were infected with the coronavirus. Along with that, the virus started spreading rapidly in Wuhan Province. Due to the same reason, Chinese officials locked down the city of Wuhan. However, they were too late to do it, and people from Wuhan have already started traveling to other parts of the country as well as the world. That’s how the global pandemic started.
How is it transmitted?
COVID-19 is transmitted from one person to another through bodily fluids. When you sneeze or talk, small droplets of your saliva would come out from your nose and mouth. These droplets contain the COVID-19 virus. Then it can then get into the body of another person. That’s how COVID-19 impacts a new person. On the other hand, these droplets can fall on surfaces. When you touch those surfaces and then touch your nose or mouth, they can get into your body.
How to prevent it?
Several steps are available for you to prevent COVID-19. Since there is no straightforward cure available, you are strongly encouraged to pay attention to the steps that are possible to avoid. Then you will be able to refrain from the negative consequences that you will have to deal with.
You need to stay indoors as you never know when you will be exposed to the virus. You cannot see the virus, but it can be around you. It can quickly get into your body as well. That’s why you should always stay indoors. On the other hand, you need to make sure that you are washing your hands regularly. It is better if you can make it a habit to wash your hands every hour. At the time of washing hands, you must also make sure that you are doing it at least for 20 seconds. You need to use an alcohol-based hand wash to kill germs.
When you are going out, you need to use a mask and cover your nose and mouth. On the other hand, you need to make sure that you are keeping a distance of at least 1m with the people whom you interest in.
Is it true that it can affect mostly old people?
COVID-19 can create a strong impact on the lungs. That’s the main reason why it can affect old people. On the other hand, the immunity levels of old people are relatively low as well. Hence, you need to make sure that you are not exposing your loved seniors to the virus at any given time.
