Indian help line number for coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) : +91-11-23978046 or 1075
more states and union territories help line numbers are available at Indian Govt. Site on coronavirus

What is Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus )

Last updated on February 26th, 2021

Corona Virus disease ( COVID-19 ) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus . In other words coronavirus also called as Novel Corona Virus .

The disease causes respiratory illness ( like the flu ) with symptoms such as a cough , fever , and in more severe cases , difficulty in breathing . You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently , avoiding touching your face , and avoiding close contact ( 1 meter or 3 feet ) with people who are unwell .

Most people infected with the Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment . Older people , and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease , diabetes , chronic respiratory disease , and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness .

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) , the disease it causes and how it spreads . Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face .

The Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes , so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette ( for example , by coughing into a flexed elbow ) .

At this time , there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 . However , there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments . WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available .

Corona Viruses are a family of viruses that range from the common cold to MERS coronavirus , which is Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus and SARs , Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus .

What is COVID-19 ?

Novel Corona Virus disease is named as COVID-19 .

Where do coronaviruses come from ?

Corona viruses are circulating in animals and some of these coronaviruses have the capability of transmitting between animals and humans . We call that a spillover event .

How Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) spreads ?

Corona Virus disease spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze . It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it , then touches their eyes , nose , or mouth .

How Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) spread in a family ?

If a coronavirus positive person coughs in the house , his droplets spread on objects in the room . The common objects are handled by everyone in the house and this is the way the virus spreads . If the family members in touch with each other round-the-clock .

Is there treatment for Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) ?

There are no specific treatments for coronaviruses , but symptoms can be treated . There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) . People may need supportive care to help them breathe .

What are the Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) Symptoms ?

People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms . The most common symptoms of coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) are fever , tiredness , and dry cough . 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 .

The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways . COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment . People who have underlying medical conditions and those over 60 years old have a higher risk of developing severe disease and death .

Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) common symptoms

fever
tiredness
dry cough

Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) other symptoms

shortness of breath
aches and pains
sore throat

and very few people will report diarrhoea , nausea or a runny nose .

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line for advice on testing and referral .

People with fever , cough or difficulty in breathing should call their doctor and seek medical attention . Call in advance and tell your health provider of any recent travel or recent contact with travelers .

Indian help line number for coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) : +91-11-23978046 or 1075 more states and union territories help line numbers are available at Indian Govt. Site on coronavirus

How is COVID-19 diagnosed ?

Health care professionals diagnose the coronavirus through lab tests of respiratory or blood samples or other bodily fluids .

Self-care

If you have mild symptoms , stay at home until you have recovered . You can relieve your symptoms if you :

rest and sleep
keep warm
drink plenty of liquids
use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough

If you are not sick , you do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick ( and they are not able to wear a face mask ) . Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for health care workers , people who are sick and caregivers .

Clean and disinfect surfaces

Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials . Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households .

How eyes may play a role in its spread ?

Our eyes might play an important role in the spread and prevention of the new coronavirus outbreak seen throughout the world .

Contracted the coronavirus while not wearing eye protection when treating patients . Medical officials , though , say while this is possible .

Avoid touching your eyes , nose or mouth with unwashed hands . It is the mucous membranes ( membranes that line various cavities in the body ) that are most susceptible to transmission of the virus .

How to prevent Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) ?

" Prevention is better than cure " , so prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19 , do the following :

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water , or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub .
Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing .
Avoid touching your face .
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing .
Elbow Cough into it .
Stay home if you feel unwell .
Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs .
Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people .
Ways to protect yourself against a potential animal source would be to avoid unnecessary unprotected contact with live animals and to make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after contact with animals .
Make sure your meat is cooked thoroughly before consuming .
One of the ways to stop the deadly virus from spreading is to improve your immunity to fight infections .

How will you know if you have the virus ? What are the warning signs ?

The common signs of COVID-19 infection include fever , cough , cold , and breathing difficulties , which are similar to seasonal flu infection .

In more severe COVID-19 cases , infection can cause pneumonia and other complications like severe acute respiratory syndrome , kidney failure , etc

Is it safe to buy , cook or eat meat ?

Yes , it is safe to consume cooked non-vegetarian food like eggs , chicken , mutton and seafood .

Hot temperatures can kill bacteria and viruses . However , it is essential to keep in mind that COVID-19 is not food-borne .

How to Protect from Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) ?

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water .

Why wash your hands frequently ?

Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands .

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre ( 3 feet ) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing .

Why maintain social distancing ?

When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus . If you are too close , you can breathe in the droplets , including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease .

Why avoid touching eyes , nose and mouth ?

Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses . Once contaminated , hands can transfer the virus to your eyes , nose or mouth . From there , the virus can enter your body and can make you sick .

Practice respiratory hygiene ?

Make sure you , and the people around you , follow good respiratory hygiene . This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze . Then dispose of the used tissue immediately .

Why practice respiratory hygiene ?

Droplets spread virus . By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold , flu and COVID-19 .

If you have fever , cough and difficulty in breathing , seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell . If you have a fever , cough and difficulty in breathing , seek medical attention and call in advance . Follow the directions of your local health authority .

If you have fever , cough and difficulty in breathing , why seek medical care early ?

National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area . Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility . This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections .

Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 . Follow advice given by your healthcare provider , your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 .

Why Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider ?

National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area . They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves .

Pray for safety of coronavirus warriors

Please pray for the health , safety and success of all the doctors , nurses , medical staff , policemen and media personnel who are engaged in the fight against coronavirus .

Tips on keeping Corona Virus ( COVID-19 virus ) away

To fight the virus from spreading , it is important to prevent infections and build your immunity .
Ginger and turmeric will help you fight common cold and respiratory diseases .
Herbs such as oregano , tulsi ( holy basil leaves ) , dried thyme and turmeric have antiseptic properties which are great for building your immunity .
You can also have a warm glass of turmeric milk before going to sleep .
There is reason why ancestors believed in the magic of coconut oil to cure ailments . Lauric acid and caprylic acid present in coconut oil are essential for boosting immunity .
Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant that also enhances how your body cells function . Lack of vitamin C makes you susceptible to infections .
Good amount of orange , mosambi and kinnu ( mandarin hybrid ) to help keep away any infection . These fruits also reduce cholesterol and help with smooth motions due to their high vitamin C content .
Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before consuming them .
Don't spit everywhere .
Maintain the recommended distance from people . Even in a queue , keep distance and do not stick to people .
Maintain cleanliness and discipline at home as well as in public places .
Don't send your children to outside . They will touch everything and you can't prevent them from putting the same hand in their mouth , nose and eyes .
Don't violate lockdown .
Only get out of home for essential things .
Don't panic stay at home . " Jo dar gaya woh margaya " . Limit the spread of the virus .
Keep your home germ-free .
Don't use air conditioner .

You can read more on coronavirus from World Health Organization or Indian Govt. Site on coronavirus.