മണപ്പള്ളി എസ്സ്.വി.പി.എം എൻഎസ്സ്എസ്സ് യു.പി.എസ്സ്/അക്ഷരവൃക്ഷം/ The Corona Facts
The Corona Facts
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people who fall sick with COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment. The most commonly reported symptoms include a fever, dry cough and tiredness, and in mild cases people may get just a runny nose or a sore throat. In the most severe cases, people with the virus can develop difficulty breathing, and may ultimately experience organ failure. Some cases are fatal. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is typically around five days but may range from two to fourteen days. The virus can also be asymptomatic, causing no noticeable illness in some people – but these people are still contagious and can spread the virus. The risk of death has been difficult to calculate, as it relies on accurate numbers of those who have symptoms but survive – and some countries, have been slow to increase capacity for testing. A small study of people who contracted covid-19 in Wuhan suggests that the risk of death increases with age, and is also higher for those who have diabetes, disease, blood clotting problems, or have shown signs of sepsis. Children, on the other hand, seem to be less likely to get severely ill and die from the new coronavirus, possibly due to less developed immune responses. Pregnant people don’t seem to be at greater risk of experiencing severe covid-19 than other adults, and it doesn’t seem to pass on to fetuses, but further, larger studies are needed to confirm this. Young, healthy adults are still at risk of contracting covid-19 and developing severe, life-threatening disease. The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact, often via small droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, exhaling or talking. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces. People may also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to 72 hours. It is most contagious during the first three days after the onset of symptoms, although spread may be possible before symptoms appear and in later stages of the disease. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning that they can be transmittd to people from animals. Both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV originally came from bats, though other animals – including camels in the case of MERS – can act as intermediaries that spread coronaviruses to humans. Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include staying at home, avoiding crowded places, washing hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds, practising good respiratory hygiene and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and using the inside of the elbow if no tissue is available. Proper hand hygiene after any cough or sneeze is encouraged. The CDC has recommended the use of cloth face coverings in public settings, in part to limit transmission by asymptomatic individuals. Social distancing strategies aim to reduce contact of infected persons with large groups by closing schools and workplaces, restricting travel and cancelling large public gatherings. Distancing guidelines also include that people stay at least 6 feet apart. There is no medication known to be effective at preventing COVID-19. So the best way to get rid of this disease is to “STAY HOME and STAY HEALTHY.”
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