COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Information

Published: 2020-01-29 - Updated: 2021-08-23
Author: Disabled World | Contact: Disabled World (www.disabled-world.com)
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Library: Coronavirus Information Publications

Synopsis: Information regarding new novel Coronavirus - 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - currently causing an major outbreak of respiratory illnesses worldwide. Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The U.S. CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.

Main Digest

What is a Novel Coronavirus?

A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS and SARS. At this time, it's unclear how easily or sustainably the COVID-19 virus is spreading between people.

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COVID-19 is now the official name for the 2019-nCoV disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now identified an official name for the coronavirus previously known as: 2019_nCoV or nCoV19 and nCoV2019. The official name now is: COVID19. The name was adopted by a group of virologists who examined the taxonomy of this virus and followed WHO's naming guidance.

COVID-19

CO = Corona
VI = Virus
D = Disease
19 = Year the outbreak was first identified

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a coronavirus virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus is not the same as the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or the coronavirus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). However, genetic analyses suggest this virus may have emerged from a virus related to SARS.

Coronavirus and COVID-19 Pandemic Awareness Ribbons

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptoms

The U.S. CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure. Fourteen (14) days is the longest known incubation period for this disease. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

Cough
Shortness of breath
Pneumonia and/or kidney failure
Fever - NOTE: Fever may not be present in some patients, such as those who are very young, elderly, immunosuppressed, or taking certain fever-lowering medications.

What body temperature is considered to be feverish? Our human body temperature chart provides information and temperature conversion tables of body temperatures including normal, high (fever) and low readings.

People infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not even know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu.

The main symptoms for COVID-19 are fever, cough (dry and persistent) and shortness of breath, not due to a known chronic disease like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), bronchial asthma or heart failure.

Other atypical symptoms could be headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, muscle pain or joint pain, nausea or vomiting, nasal congestion, haemoptysis conjunctival congestion.

Approximately, 90% of patients have more than one symptom, and 15% of patients have fever, cough, and dyspnoea.

Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. More rarely, the disease can be serious and even fatal.

Older people, and people with other medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), may be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill.

Coronavirus infections are diagnosed by a health care provider based on symptoms and are confirmed through laboratory tests.

Illustration of the human body outlining the main symptoms of Coronavirus COVID-19. Symptoms listed are - Systemic: Fever, Fatigue. Kidneys: Decreased function. Intestines: Diarrhea. Respiratory: Sneezing, Runny nose, Sore throat, Dry cough, Shortness of breath. Circulatory system: Decreased white blood cells.

Prevention and Recommendations

The U.S. CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses, including:
Stay home when you are sick: You should not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transportation or taxis.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick: Stay in a different room from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people. After using items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or you can cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can, and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Wear a facemask when you are in a room with other people and when you visit a healthcare provider. If you cannot wear a facemask, the people who live with you should wear one while they are in the same room with you.
Do not handle pets or animals while sick. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, several types of coronaviruses can cause illness in animals and spread between animals and people. Wear a facemask if you must be around animals or care for a pet.

Difficulty Breathing?

Try this ICU breathing technique for those with COVID-19:

Vital ICU Breathing Technique for Those Suffering From COVID-19 - The new coronavirus causes a respiratory infection that can make it difficult for people who have contracted the virus to breathe. Doctors in Canada and the U.K. are using this breathing technique to help increase oxygen flow to the lungs: Take six deep breaths in. Each time, hold your breath for five seconds and then exhale. Repeat steps one and two. On the sixth deep breath, inhale and then let out a big cough Lay flat on your stomach with a pillow in front of you, taking slightly deeper breaths for the next 10 minutes.

Treatment for COVID-19

There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment to prevent COVID-19 infection. People infected should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.

Health care providers should obtain a detailed travel history for patients being evaluated with fever and acute respiratory illness. CDC guidance for evaluating and reporting a PUI for MERS-CoV remains unchanged. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.

People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact your healthcare provider immediately! Before your medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19 infection. This will help the healthcare provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected. Get medical care quickly if your illness is getting worse, for example if you are having trouble breathing. For further information and COVID-19 updates visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

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