Coronavirus - what is it?
The Wuhan coronavirus named 2019-CoV causes COVID-19 (Corona-Virus-Disease 2019). Its genetic similarity to the 2003 SARS virus has led to its official name being SARS-CoV-2. Despite the vast amount of information about coronavirus with which we are inundated by the media every day, we often still ask ourselves: what is it really, or even does it exist?
Here are the most important facts collected by one of our specialists that everyone should know .
How does COVID-19 work?
The course of the infection varies from asymptomatic, through mild respiratory infection similar to the common cold, to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome or even multi-organ failure ending in death. But it is important to remember that about 80% of COVID-19 patients do not require treatment and the disease resolves on its own.
Kronavirus -how does infection occur?
Infection occurs by droplet infection through direct contact with a person infected with the coronavirus or indirectly through objects on which saliva of the infected person is found, such as doorknobs, handrails, baskets in shops.
Who is really at risk?
People over the age of 65 are most at risk of losing their health or even their lives, and this risk increases with age. Particular care should also be taken by people with concomitant conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease and those taking immunosuppressive drugs which reduce immunity.
Prevention of coronavirus infection
There is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease. It is therefore important to observe good hygiene: washing hands with soap or disinfectant, covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing with the elbow bend, wearing a protective mask.
How to stop a coronavirus
As it is people who transmit the coronavirus infection, it is people who can stop the mass increase in the number of cases of the disease. This is why it is so important that we continue to observe the quarantine rules and comply with the current recommendations of the Ministry of Health. By acting responsibly, we will save lives and save health and return to the reality we all wanted before the pandemic.
Can the end of a pandemic be predicted?
On 11 March this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced a state of pandemic, and a day later in Poland a state of epidemic emergency was introduced with the coronavirus from Wuhan. We know its beginning, but can we unequivocally predict when the pandemic will end? Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Once the number of cases has reached its peak, it will only be possible to forecast when to expect them to fall.
Author of the text:
Doctor Dorota Tatarska-Jojczuk - internist, family doctor
