Overview
The most dangerous calamity to hit the world since the last world war is the COVID19 or the coronavirus. The world has never been dealt with a disease that has now spread in almost all the countries of the world irrespective of age, gender or ethnicity.
It started its spread from the city of Wuhan in China and quickly crossed physical boundaries to spread across the world.
The novel coronavirus is a strain of flu but with some mutations that cause it to spread to larger populations quickly and silently. Unlike normal flu, it is able to survive for days on various surfaces and becomes active once it gets humans as a host.
Most of the countries in the world today have patients that have traveled abroad in the recent past or have come in contact with someone who has been abroad.
The major transition airports of the world have unknowingly helped in the spread of the virus by a free intermingling of travelers.
Symptoms:
Its symptoms include a dry cough, temperature, shivering and a general lethargic feeling. It can persist for days silently in the body and suddenly flare up the infection.
Prevention:
- The simplest way to keep one away from the virus is to maintain a distance of at least one meter from any individual.
- Regular and thorough hand washing is one of the simplest ways to keep the virus at bay.
- People with underlying illnesses like diabetes and hypertension should be more careful and not venture out unnecessarily.
- Children and the elderly are also at greater risk due to lower immunity levels but even the young need to take adequate precautions and maintain general hygiene.
- One should avoid going out in public places and large gatherings.
- While out, one should cover their faces if they see someone coughing or exhibiting any other symptoms of flu.
Coronavirus by itself is not a killer but combined with low immunity or any other serious medical condition, it can be deadly.
It needs to be taken seriously because of its ability to survive for days without a host and then causing illness when it comes in contact with humans.
