Corona Virus Disease or COVID-19 is a infectious disease caused by newly discovered virus called "corona virus" and it was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan (China).

Symptoms

The symptoms appears between 2-14 days of exposure. The main symptoms are

  • Fever
  • Cough 
  • Breathlessness or difficulty in breathing

How it spreads

  • It spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose of infected person via coughing or sneezing. 

Who are at risk

  • Old age people (above 65 years).
  • Person with underlying diseases mainly diabetes, Kidney disease, Cardiac (Heart) problems and respiratory (Lung) disease.

Investigation

  • Test - RTPCR
  • Sample - Nasopharyngeal or Oropharyngeal swab

Prevention

  • Do frequent hand washing with soap and water (for min. 20 seconds).
  • Cover your face with handkerchief/ tissue while coughing or sneezing. Dump used tissue into a dustbin immediately after use.
  • Keep social distancing. 
  • Avoid close contact with person who are sick.
  • Don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Don't shake hand. 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched object or surfaces like  mobile phones, switch, door knob etc.
  • Mask can be used only when you are coughing / sneezing or you are taking care of person with suspected COVID 19.

Who should go for COVID-19 test

  • All person who have undertaken international travel in the last 14 days and having any symptoms. 
  • All symptomatic* person who was in contact of laboratory confirmed cases
  • All symptomatic* healthcare personnel (Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical staff)
  • All hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (fever & cough and/or shortness of breath)

         *Symptomatic refers to fever/cough/shortness of breath.

MYTHS 

  • The Corona virus can be transmitted through mosquito bites. 
  • Corona virus will die in hot climate.
  • Eating garlic will prevent from Corona Virus infection. 

Take home message 

COVID-19 /Corona Virus Disease is highly infectious disease which can transmit from infected person via droplet routes (coughing/sneezing). There is no specific treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 til now. So, prevention is the only method to keep yourself away from disease. 

Sources: World Health Organization (WHO); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India

COVID-19 Helpline Number Toll free: 1075, +91-11-23978046 (India)