Corona virus introduction, symptoms & effective measures to prevent

corona virus is very dangerous virus that was originated form china and now it is the major pandemic of the world

Taxonomy

Coronaviruses and toroviruses are two virus genera within the virus family Coronaviridae, order Nidovirales. Coronaviruses are well-established pathogens of humans and animals while the toroviruses are recognized as causes of animal diarrhoea. Toroviruses have also been found in human faeces but their aetiological role remains unclear.

Coronaviruses are classified into three groups, initially based on antigenic relationships of the spike (S), membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins and now re-enforced by viral genetic phylogeny (Box 57.1). The HCoVs 229E and NL63 are group 1 coronaviruses, while OC43, HKU-1 and SARS coronaviruses are classified in group 2. Group 3 coronaviruses are found in avian species. Genetic recombination readily occurs between members of the same and of different coronavirus groups providing opportunity for increased genetic diversity.

Efforts to identify the animal reservoir of SARS coronavirus led to the discovery of diverse bat coronaviruses in both group 1 and 2 that are closely related phylogenetically to different mammalian coronaviruses. It has been proposed that bat coronaviruses may indeed have been the ancestors of many mammalian coronaviruses. It is noteworthy that recent studies on the comparative evolution of animal and human coronaviruses have led to the conclusion that HCoV 229E and OC43, the causes of the common cold which are now globally endemic in humans, crossed species from their animal reservoirs (bats and cattle, respectively) to humans within the last 200 years, illustrating the fact that coronaviruses continue to cross species barriers and cause novel diseases.

Abstract

Coronaviruses possess a distinctive morphology, the name being derived from the outer fringe, or “corona” of embedded envelope protein. Members of the family Coronaviridae cause a broad spectrum of animal and human diseases. Uniquely, replication of the RNA genome proceeds through the generation of a nested set of viral mRNA molecules. Until 2003, coronaviruses attracted little interest beyond causing mild upper respiratory tract infections. This changed dramatically in 2003 with the zoonotic SARS-CoV and the more recent emergence of MERS-CoV has confirmed the coronaviruses as significant causes of severe respiratory disease.

List of other related viruses which may be members of the genus Alphacoronavirus but have not been approved as species

TURKEY CORONAVIRUS

Coronaviruses were first recognized in turkeys in the United States in 1951 and were associated with various enteric disease syndromes, variously termed “blue comb disease,” “mud fever,” “transmissible enteritis,” and “coronaviral enteritis.” The disease is present throughout the world, essentially wherever turkeys are raised. The virus can infect turkeys of all ages, but the most severe enteric disease is evident within the first few weeks of life. The onset is characterized by loss of appetite, watery diarrhea, dehydration, hypothermia, weight loss, and depression. Younger poults may die. The duodenum and jejunum are pale and flaccid, and the ceca filled with frothy, watery contents. The feces may be green to brown, watery, and may contain mucus and urates. The cloacal bursa is small (atrophic). Some turkeys may shed virus in their feces for up to 7 weeks, with virus transmission by the fecal–oral route. Turkey coronavirus infections also result in reduced egg production in breeder hens, and eggs may lack normal pigment and have a chalky shell surface. Interaction between turkey coronavirus and other agents (E. coli, astrovirus, etc.) accentuate the disease.

Only one serotype of turkey coronavirus is recognized. Turkey coronavirus is classified, along with other avian coronaviruses, as a gammacoronavirus. Although there is high sequence identity (85–90%) in the three major viral proteins (polymerase, M, and N) of turkey coronavirus and avian infectious bronchitis virus, their S proteins are quite different, and turkey coronavirus likely represents a recombinant coronavirus containing a spike gene of unknown origin. Whether the origin of turkey coronavirus reflects altered enteric tropism or adaptation of an infectious bronchitis-like virus to the turkey, or whether infectious bronchitis virus is in itself a variant of an ancestral enteric avian coronavirus, is also unclear. Recently, bovine coronavirus was shown experimentally to infect turkey poults, but natural cases have not been described.

Turkey coronavirus can also be isolated in embryonated eggs of turkeys and chickens using the amniotic route of inoculation. No licensed vaccines for turkey coronavirus are available. Treatment involves supportive care, and is not specific.

Coronaviruses (CoV)

Coronaviruses are common viruses that can infect humans, and animals as diverse as bats and alpacas. There are a number of Human coronaviruses and they usually cause respiratory infections—mostly mild illnesses such as the common cold. However, several coronaviruses including the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), especially seen in Saudi Arabia or visitors to that area, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), seen mainly in China and travelers from there, can cause more severe and sometimes life-threatening human infections.^52,57 Coronaviruses that cause severe acute respiratory infections have >50% mortality rates in older and immunosuppressed people.⁵⁸ WIV1-CoV, a virus similar to SARS, could also be poised to cause epidemics.⁵⁹

People living with or caring for someone with a coronavirus infection are most at risk of developing the infection themselves. Coronavirus transmission is mainly oral–fecal and respiratory from small droplets of saliva or on fomites. Oral–urine and saliva transmission of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV are also highly likely.^11,12 Salivary cystatin D, a cysteine protease inhibitor, can inhibit replication of some coronaviruses.⁶⁰ Although evidence is sparse, SARS-CoV appears to be transmitted primarily through saliva droplets. Kissing could constitute a route for transmission.

What are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a large family of zoonotic viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to severe respiratory diseases. Zoonotic means these viruses are able to be transmitted from animals to humans. There are several coronaviruses known to be circulating in different animal populations that have not yet infected humans. COVID-19 is the most recent to make the jump to human infection.

Common signs of COVID-19 infection are similar to the common cold and include respiratory symptoms such as dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death.

The COVID-19 infection is spread from one person to others via droplets produced from the respiratory system of infected people, often during coughing or sneezing. According to current data, time from exposure to onset of symptoms is usually between two and 14 days, with an average of five days.

Two other recent coronavirus outbreaks have been experienced. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) of 2012 was found to transmit from dromedary camels to humans. In 2002, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) was found to transmit from civet cats to humans.

Although COVID-19 has already shown some similarities to recent coronavirus outbreaks, there are differences and we will learn much more as we deal with this one. SARS cases totaled 8,098 with a fatality rate of 11 percent as reported in 17 countries, with the majority of cases occurring in southern mainland China and Hong Kong. The fatality rate was highly dependent on the age of the patient with those under 24 least likely to die (one percent) and those over 65 most likely to die (55 percent). No cases have been reported worldwide since 2004.²

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2020, MERS cases total more than 2,500, have been reported in 21 countries, and resulted in about 860 deaths.³ The fatality rate may be much lower as those with mild symptoms are most likely undiagnosed. Only two cases have been confirmed in the United States, both in May of 2014 and both patients had recently traveled to Saudi Arabia. Most cases have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula. It is still unclear how the virus is transmitted from camels to humans. Its spread is uncommon outside of hospitals. Thus, its risk to the global population is currently deemed to be fairly low.⁴ 

Global Health Security

An international panel of experts undertook a comprehensive assessment and benchmarking of health security and response capabilities across 195 countries.⁵ The purpose of the project was to address risks from infectious disease outbreaks that could lead to international epidemics and pandemics and measure response capabilities for each nation. The hope was that the GHS Index would lead to quantifiable changes in national health security and improve international preparedness.

The GHS Index measured indicators across six broad categories:

1. Prevention: Prevention of the emergence or release of pathogens.
2. Detection and Reporting: Early detection and reporting for epidemics of potential international concern.
3. Rapid Response: Rapid response to and mitigation of the spread of an epidemic.
4. Health System: Sufficient and robust health system to treat the sick and protect health workers.
5. Compliance with International Norms: Commitments to improving national capacity, financing plans to address gaps, and adhering to global norms.
6. Risk Environment: Overall risk environment and country vulnerability to biological threats.

The major GHS Index summary findings were:

1. Although the United States scored an 83 out of 100 points, health security around the world is very weak and no country is adequately prepared for epidemics or pandemics.  The average score was only 40.2 out of 100.
2. Preparedness is very weak, and capacities have not been tested.
3. Funding and budgets are inadequate.
4. Training and coordination are lacking along with foundational health systems’ capacities for epidemic and pandemic response.

Unfortunately, the veracity of the GHS Index study is being borne out in real time with the COVID-19 outbreak the world is experiencing now. But there is no time to point fingers and say “I told you so.”  We need to act, fast and furious.

At this writing, we are about three months into the COVID-19 outbreak. The WHO officially declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Countries experiencing the greatest number of cases include China, Iran, Italy, and the Republic of Korea. Although the United States ranks eighth, currently, with under 2,000 confirmed cases, insufficient testing does not provide a clear and complete picture. Therefore, we need to take immediate and serious actions to: first, protect ourselves, family, loved ones, and others in our communities; and second, act to contain the spread by preparing our homes, workplaces, and businesses.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

Most people infected with the 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 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 hand sanitizers or soap. And avoid the touch of your hands with your face. 

The 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.

People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of corona virus 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.

people may experience the following things :

• Fever ( more than 104 degree Fahrenheit.
• cough
• tiredness
• difficulty in breathing(severe cases)
• shortness of breath
• sore throat

Preventive measures of this disease :

• use hand sanitizers.
• use soap to wash your hands frequently.
• avoid public gathering.
• do not allow other people to enter your home/room.
• use masks while going to public places.
• do not shake hands with other people.
• do not use virus contaminated utensils.
• cover your mouth while coughing( this does not prevent you from disease whereas it makes other people safe if you are suffering from this virus)

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

Note: This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

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