WHAT IS CORONA VIRUS? (COVID-19)

Important Properties: 

It is a respiratory virus. It is nonsegmented, single-stranded RNA virus. There are two serotypes. SARS & MARS. The receptor for sars coronavirus on the surface of the cell is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2.

Disease:

Coronavirus is an important cause of common cold, atypical pneumonia called severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS) & typical pneumonia called middle east respiratory syndrome(MERS).

REPLICATION:

After entry into the cell coronavirus uncoats and its replication occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.

TRANSMISSION:

Transmission occurs through the respiratory passageway from humans to humans.

RESERVOIR:

The natural source of SARS coronavirus is bat and civet cat serving as an intermediate host. The natural source of MERS coronavirus is the camel.

PATHOGENESIS:

Coronavirus infects the mucosal cells of the respiratory tract. 50% of infections are asymptomatic. Pneumonia caused by SARS causes oedema resulting in hypoxia. The binding of the SARS to the ACE2 receptor on the surface cells of the respiratory tract causes fluid imbalance and oedema in the alveolar space.

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS:

PCR based test detects coronavirus RNA in blood. An antibody test detects the antibodies.

OUTBREAKS:

SARS Coronavirus originated in china in November 2002. MERS Coronavirus originated in SAUDI ARABIA in 2012.

PANDEMIC: 

In 2019 the pandemic of coronavirus started from CHINA. It spread through the world affecting millions of people all over the world. More than 10 million people in the world are affected by this coronavirus and more than 4 LAC people died. Still the pandemic of coronavirus is not over yet. 

TREATMENT:

There is no antiviral therapy. Many countries are trying to make the vaccine for coronavirus to end the pandemic. The vaccine is under the trial basis and will be available at the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021. Plasma therapy is also on a trial basis but it works.

PREVENTION:

Wash your hands properly

Use masks

Use hand sanitizer

Stay at home 

AT THE END SALUTE TO ALL THE COVID 19 WARRIORS.