COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus. COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It first emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and quickly spread globally, leading to a pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Transmission of COVID-19:
- COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes.
- It can also be spread by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching one’s face.
Symptoms:
- Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
- Other symptoms may include fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and nausea or vomiting.
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Diagnosis:
- A COVID-19 diagnosis is typically made based on symptoms, exposure history, and results from laboratory tests such as RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction).
Treatment:
- There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19.
- Most people with mild symptoms can recover at home with self-care, while those with severe symptoms may require hospitalization and supportive care, including oxygen therapy.
Prevention:
- To prevent the spread of COVID 19, it is important to practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask in public settings, maintain social distancing, and avoid large gatherings.
- Vaccines are also available and are effective in reducing the risk of getting an infected and severe illness.
Impact:
- COVID 19 has had a significant impact on global health and economies, leading to widespread illness and death, and causing disruptions to daily life, education, and business operations.
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Causes:
- COVID 19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- It is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes.
Infection Period:
- The time from exposure to the virus to the onset of symptoms is typically 2-14 days, with an average of 5-6 days.
Precautions:
- To prevent the spread of COVID 19, it is recommended to practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask in public settings, maintain social distancing, and avoid large gatherings.
- People who are feeling unwell should stay home and avoid close contact with others.
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