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 the coronavirus with which we are inundated by the media every day, we often still ask: What is it really, or even does it exist?

Below we will present the most important facts collected by one of our specialists that everyone should know about .

How is COVID-19 proceeding?

The course of the infection varies from asymptomatic, through a mild respiratory infection similar to the common cold, to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome and even multiple organ failure ending in death. But it should be remembered 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 the droplet route through direct contact with a person infected with coronavirus or indirectly through objects on which the saliva of an infected person is found, such as : doorknobs, handrails, baskets in markets.

Who is really at risk?

Those most at risk of losing their health or even their lives are those over the age of 65, and this risk increases with age. Particular care should also be taken by people with concomitant conditions such as cardiovascular, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, respiratory and those taking immunosuppressive drugs that lower immunity.

Prevention of coronavirus infection

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the disease. That is why it is so important to follow hygiene rules: washing hands with soap or disinfectant, covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing with the elbow bend, wearing protective masks.

How to stop coronavirus

Since it is people who transmit coronavirus infection it is people who can stop the massive increase in the number of cases. That is why it is so important , that we continue to follow the rules of quarantine and comply with the current recommendations of the Ministry of Health , thanks to a responsible attitude we will save human health and lives and return to the pre-pandemic reality that we all desire.

Can the end of the pandemic be predicted?

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic state on 11.03 this year, and a day later a Wuhan coronavirus epidemic emergency was declared in Poland. We know its beginning, but can we clearly predict when the end of the pandemic will come? Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Once the number of cases reaches its peak, it will only be possible to forecast when it should be expected to decline.

Author of the text:

Doctor Dorota Tatarska-Jojczuk - internist, family doctor