What Is Corona Virus?

First identified in the 1960s, corona virus is a common virus that primarily infects the nose, upper throat and sinuses. While most aren’t dangerous, some strains have been reported to be severe. The virus derives its name from its crown-like shape.

Most corona viruses spread like other viruses – through sneezing, coughing, coming into contact with the infected people, or touching everyday objects, like a doorknob, that may already be infected. While outlook for most people infected with the virus is good, certain strains like MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and SARS are more severe.

The outbreak that seems to have started in Wuhan (China) in 2019 has claimed over 3000+ lives and infected more than 90000.

Symptoms Of Corona Virus?

Most corona viruses spawn symptoms that are akin to other upper respiratory tract infections, including a runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, coughing, strep throat, headache, lethargy and a general feeling of being unwell. Since corona virus symptoms are usually identical, diagnosis can be difficult for you might think that you have been infected with rhinovirus and not corona virus.

That being said, a corona virus infection can turn severe and result in pneumonia or bronchitis should it affect your lower respiratory tract, including your lungs and windpipe. The severity is all the more for older adults with compromised immunity and people afflicted with cardiopulmonary diseases.

How to Protect Yourself?

Vaccination is not available for corona virus. However, you can prevent this virus by taking a few simple measures:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap or any other alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• When sneezing or coughing, cover your nose and mouth with tissues; dispose of the tissues immediately after use
• Don’t come into close contact with an infected individual, anybody suffering from fever or exhibiting the typical symptoms
• Cook your foods thoroughly, particularly meat and eggs, before consuming
• Don’t come into unprotected contact with farm or wild animals, dead or alive
• Drink plenty of fluids over the day
• Get adequate rest
• Take prescribed over-the-counter medicines in case you have a sore throat or fever

List of Hospitals In India Where COVID–19 Treatment Can be Provided

• Gandhi Medical Hospital in Musheerabad, Secunderabad – 500003
• Kasturba Hospital Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai – 400 011
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380006
• Tamil Nadu Government. Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600002
• Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
• Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452010
• Prakashchandra Sethi Hospital, Sanyogita Ganj, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452002
• Naidu Hospital, Behind Pune Main Railway station, Wellesley Rd, Pune 411001
• Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, Hombegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560029

Helpline

• Ministry of Health – Helpline Number for corona-virus   : +91-11-23978046
• Ministry of Health – Helpline Email ID for corona-virus  : ncov2019@gmail.com

Indian citizens are further advised to refrain from non-essential travel to the following countries:

• Singapore
• Republic of Korea
• Islamic Republic of Iran
• Italy

If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. Share your recent travel history with them.

The bottom line

Experts emphasize there isn’t a specific course of treatment to resolve a corona virus infection, considering a particular kind of virus causes it. Therefore, one must heed the general advice as that can help to strengthen your immune system and take the standard precautionary measures. Stay Safe!