Nrs Oke Ololade
SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the same family of viruses as SARS-CoV known as Corona virus because of their crown like structures. Covid-19 was first identified in 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The virus likely originated in bats, which passed through an intermediate animal before infecting people. Since the appearance, the virus has affected thousands of people in China and millions of people worldwide. The ongoing outbreak prompted an extensive quarantine of people exposed to the virus and worldwide effort to develop diagnostic methods, treatments and vaccines. The disease caused by SARS-COV-2 called Covid-19, has an estimated mortality rate of about 2.3% and still counting. People who are older or have underlying health conditions seem to be most at risk of having severe disease or complications. Common symptoms include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath and the disease can progress to pneumonia in severe cases. Total cases in Nigeria 25th of December 2020 to 7th of January 2021 is about 13 ,971 cases with Lagos state having the highest rate in the country.
What are symptoms of Covid-19
The virus moves down your respiratory tract. That’s the airway that includes your mouth, nose, throat, and lungs. Your lower airways have more ACE2 receptors than the rest of your respiratory tract. So COVID-19 is more likely to go deeper than viruses like the common cold. Your lungs might become inflamed, making it tough for you to breathe. This can lead to pneumonia, an infection of the tiny air sacs (called alveoli) inside your lungs where your blood exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide. Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear anywhere between 2 to 14 days after exposure. According to the CDC, symptoms may include: Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, loss of taste or smell Sore throat Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea. Always look out for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: Trouble breathing, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.
How to protect yourself when going out
The CDC recommend that people wear cloth face masks in public places where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing at least 6 feet apart .This will help slow the spread of the virus from people who do not know that they have contracted it, including those who are asymptomatic. People should wear cloth face masks while continuing to practice physical distancing. Researchers believe that the viruses transmit via fluids in the respiratory system, such as mucus. For example, a coronavirus can spread when a person: coughs or sneezes without covering their mouth, dispersing droplets into the air has physical contact with someone who has the infection, touches a surface that contains the virus, then touches their nose, eyes, or mouth. The use of a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
What to do if you’re sick
Stay home except to get medical care. Isolate yourself from other members of your family for 14 days to prevent spread to them and the people that they may have contact with, like grandparents. Even if you don’t feel sick, you can spread COVID-19 to others.
How to get a test for current infection
You can visit your state or local health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and choose to not get tested, it is important to stay home. Find out what to do if you are sick.
How to cope with stress
When the body is stressed, it affects the immune system .Many doctors think an overblown immune response causes many of the more serious consequences of COVID-19. Levels of chemical signalling agents called cytokines get so high that immune cells start to attack healthy tissues. Care for yourself one small way each day. Unwind by doing exercise, listening to music, or gardening.Find new ways to connect with family and friends, get support, and share feelings. Eat healthy foods especially immune boosting foods, fruits including onions, garlic and ginger, get enough rest. Relax by listening reading, listening to music, or starting a new hobby.
However, there is panic everywhere, testing positive to Covid-19 is not a death sentence, you can recover from it by strictly adhering to treatments and avoid spreading it to others. Do not be ignorant, Covid-19 is real.