Essay about Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are common viruses that most people get at some time in their lives. They are common throughout the world, and they can infect people and animals. Several different coronaviruses can infect people and make them sick. They usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness. But, some coronaviruses can cause severe illness.

Coronaviruses probably spread through the air by coughing or sneezing, or by close personal contact. If you get infected, symptoms may include:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever

You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands often with soap and water, not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. There is no vaccine to prevent coronavirus infection. There are no specific treatments. You can relieve symptoms with pain and fever medicines and rest.

Introduction

Coronaviruses are viruses that can infect people and animals. Most people get these viruses at some time in their lives. They are common throughout the world.

Several different coronaviruses can infect people and make them sick. They usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory illnesses. But some coronaviruses can cause severe illness.

This program explains coronaviruses. It discusses the types of viruses, the symptoms they cause, treatment options and prevention methods.

Coronaviruses

Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid 1960s. There are several coronaviruses that can infect people, including:

• Alpha coronaviruses.
• Beta coronaviruses.
• SARS-CoV, the coronavirus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.
• MERS-CoV, the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS.

The common cold may be caused by over 100 different viruses, including human coronavirus.

SARS is a serious form of pneumonia. It is caused by a virus that was first identified in China in 2002. Infection with the SARS virus causes severe breathing difficulty and sometimes death.

MERS is a viral respiratory illness that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Most people who have been confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection developed severe acute respiratory illness. About half of these people died.

Coronaviruses may also infect animals. Most coronaviruses usually infect only one animal species or a small number of closely related species. But SARS-CoV can infect people and animals, such as monkeys, cats, dogs and rodents.

Most people will get infected with human coronaviruses in their lifetime. Young children are most likely to get infected. You can have multiple infections in your lifetime.

Can you only be infected by coronaviruses once in your lifetime?

Incorrect. You can have multiple coronavirus infections in your lifetime.

Correct. Most people will get infected with human coronaviruses in their lifetime. You can have multiple infections in your lifetime.

Symptoms

Human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses.

Symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Fatigue

Common colds caused by human coronavirus do not usually cause fevers, except in young children.

Coronavirus viruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia. This is more common in people with cardiopulmonary disease or weakened immune systems and in the elderly.

Symptoms usually happen about 2 to 10 days after coming in contact with the virus. People with active symptoms of illness are contagious. But it is not known for how long a person may be contagious before or after symptoms appear.

SARS and MERS can cause severe illness. In addition to common symptoms of coronaviruses, SARS and MERS may cause:

• A fever greater than 100.4°F or 38°C
• Chills and shaking.
• Headache and muscle aches.

Less common symptoms of SARS and MERS include:

• A cough that produces phlegm.
• Diarrhea.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea and vomiting.

See a health care provider if you develop a fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after traveling abroad.

Stan has a fever of 102°F or 38.8°C and is coughing up phlegm. His muscles have ached all day. Should Stan contact his health care provider?

Correct. Fever, coughing up phlegm and muscle aches may be a sign of a problem. Stan should contact his health care provider.

Incorrect. Stan’s symptoms may be a sign of a problem. He should contact his health care provider right away.

Causes

Human coronaviruses are most likely spread from an infected person to others through:

• The air, by coughing and sneezing.
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

Coronaviruses may also spread by touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

People usually get infected with human coronaviruses in the fall and winter. But you can get infected at any time of the year.

Human coronaviruses can be spread through close personal contact.

Correct. Human coronaviruses are spread from an infected person to others through close personal contact. They can also be spread through the air and by touching contaminated surfaces.

Incorrect. Human coronaviruses can be spread through close personal contact.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms, as well as your personal and family medical history. If you have traveled abroad recently, tell your health care provider.

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. If you have SARS, your health care provider may hear abnormal lung sounds while listening to your chest with a stethoscope. In most people with SARS, chest x-rays or chest CT scans show pneumonia.

A CT scan is an x-ray machine linked to a computer. A CT scan takes a series of detailed pictures of your organs.

Laboratory tests can be done to confirm whether your illness may be caused by human coronaviruses. But these tests are not used often because people usually have mild illness.

Tests used to diagnose SARS might include:

• Blood tests.
• Chest x-rays or chest CT scans.

Treatment

There are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses.

Most people with coronavirus illness will recover on their own. Some things can be done to relieve your symptoms, such as:

• Taking medicines to relieve pain and reduce fever.
• Using a room humidifier or taking a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.

If you are sick, you should stay home and rest. You should also drink plenty of fluids.

If a person has or may have SARS or MERS, they should be kept isolated in the hospital.

Treatment for SARS and MERS may include:

• Antibiotics to treat pneumonia.
• Antiviral medicines.
• High doses of steroids to reduce swelling in the lungs.
• Oxygen, breathing support or chest therapy.

In some serious cases, the liquid part of blood from people who have already recovered from SARS has been given as a treatment.

Complications of SARS and MERS may include respiratory failure, liver failure or heart failure. Treatments may be needed to treat these complications.

Do all people infected with coronaviruses require treatment in a hospital?

Incorrect. Not all people infected with coronaviruses require treatment in a hospital. Mild illnesses can be treated at home with rest and fluids.

Correct. Some serious coronavirus infections require treatment in a hospital. Mild coronavirus infections may be treated at home with rest and fluids.

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection.

You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands often with soap and water. When you are around people who are sick, you should:

• Avoid close contact with them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Wear a mask or goggles.

Do not share food, drink or utensils with someone who is sick.

If you have an illness caused by human coronaviruses, you can help protect others by:

• Avoiding close contact with others.
• Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Keeping objects and surfaces clean and disinfected.
• Staying home while you are sick.

How can you help prevent the spread of coronavirus?

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. Stay home and rest when you are sick.
3. Wash your hands often.
4. All of the above.

It is true that avoiding close contact with people who are sick can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. But there is a better answer.

It is true that staying home and resting when you are sick can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. But there is a better answer.

It is true that washing your hands often can help prevent the spread of coronavirus. But there is a better answer.

Correct.

Summary

Coronaviruses are viruses that can infect people and animals. Most people will get infected with human coronaviruses in their lifetime. Young children are most likely to get infected. You can have multiple infections in your lifetime.

Human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses. Symptoms may include:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Runny nose.
• Sore throat.
• Fatigue.

Human coronaviruses are most likely spread from an infected person to others through:

• The air, by coughing and sneezing.
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

There are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses. Most people with coronavirus illness will recover on their own. If a person has or may have SARS or MERS, they should be kept isolated in the hospital.

Treatment for SARS and MERS may include:

• Antibiotics to treat pneumonia.
• Antiviral medicines.
• High doses of steroids to reduce swelling in the lungs.
• Oxygen, breathing support or chest therapy.

There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection. You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by washing your hands often with soap and water. You should also avoid close contact with people who are sick.

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