Corona Virus 'COVID-19' Composition in about 200 words

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.  WHO (World Health Organization) first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are;

01. Fever

02. Dry cough

03. Fatigue

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

01. Loss of taste or smell,

02. Nasal congestion,

03. Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)

04. Sore throat,

05. Headache,

06. Muscle or joint pain,

07. Different types of skin rash,

08. Nausea or vomiting,

09. Diarrhea,

10. Chills or dizziness.

Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:

01. Shortness of breath,
02. Loss of appetite,
03. Confusion,
04. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,
05. High temperature (above 38 °C).

Other less common symptoms are:

01. Irritability,

02. Confusion,

03. Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures),

04. Anxiety,

05. Depression,

06. Sleep disorders,

07. More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium and nerve damage.

Quarantine is used for anyone who is a contact of someone infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, whether the infected person has symptoms or not. Quarantine means that you remain separated from others because you have been exposed to the virus and you may be infected and can take place in a designated facility or at home. For COVID-19, this means staying in the facility or at home for 14 days.

Isolation is used for people with COVID-19 symptoms or who have tested positive for the virus. Being in isolation means being separated from other people, ideally in a medically facility where you can receive clinical care.  If isolation in a medical facility is not possible and you are not in a high risk group of developing severe disease, isolation can take place at home. If you have symptoms, you should remain in isolation for at least 10 days plus an additional 3 days without symptoms. If you are infected and do not develop symptoms, you should remain in isolation for 10 days from the time you test positive. 

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you may become infected, even if you feel well.

After exposure to someone who has COVID-19, do the following:

01. Call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline to find out where and when to get a test.

02. Cooperate with contact-tracing procedures to stop the spread of the virus.

03. If testing is not available, stay home and away from others for 14 days.

04. While you are in quarantine, do not go to work, to school or to public places. Ask someone to bring you supplies.

05. Keep at least a 1-metre distance from others, even from your family members.

06. Wear a medical mask to protect others, including if/when you need to seek medical care.

07. Clean your hands frequently.

08. Stay in a separate room from other family members, and if not possible, wear a medical mask.

09. Keep the room well-ventilated.

10. If you share a room, place beds at least 1 metre apart.

11. Monitor yourself for any symptoms for 14 days. 

12. Stay positive by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising at home.

In hospitals, physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary bacterial infections which can be a complication of COVID-19 in severely ill patients. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.