Covid-19 Basics
What is Coronavirus?
A coronavirus is a virus that causes the common cold and other upper respiratory infections. The novel coronavirus discovered in Wuhan, China in 2019, has been officially named SARS-CoV-2 for the severe acute respiratory syndrome it causes.
Covid-19, short for coronavirus disease 2019, is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2. Covid-19 is the official name of the coronavirus outbreak.
What are the symptoms of Covid-19?
The symptoms of the virus include fever, dry cough, headache, loss of smell, loss of taste, fatigue, and chills. However, not everyone that has been infected with Covid-19 will experience these symptoms. The people who do not experience the symptoms are considered asymptomatic but are infectious and able to spread the virus to others.
Some people experience more severe symptoms which often indicate pneumonia. Some may also experience neurological symptoms and/or gastrointestinal symptoms.
Who should worry about Covid-19?
While the risk of serious illness and death increases with age, everyone should be of Covid-19 and follow measures to avoid spreading the virus. Additionally, underlying medical conditions may increase the risk of serious illness from Covid-19 in any age group.
It is thought that young and healthy individuals need not worry about Covid-19 but this is untrue. These individuals can still become infected and although they may be asymptomatic, the risk of spreading the virus is still high. People of all ages should follow measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 through frequent hand washing, wearing a face mask in public, and social distancing.
What should I do to avoid contracting Covid-19?
To avoid contracting Covid-19 and preventing the spread of the virus, everyone should wash their hands frequently, avoid large gatherings, wear face masks when avoiding others is not possible, and maintain a safe social distance.
There have been numerous sources of false information during this pandemic that advocate treatments or methods of not contracting the disease. This has been a serious issue that all are facing when trying to understand the facts around Covid-19. Reliable news sources should be sought out, such as government advice and the World Health Organization. Always do your research when reading an article about Covid-19.
