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Coronavirus

Definition of Coronavirus

The coronavirus is a family of viruses that have similar structural characteristics. These have affected the population on different occasions causing different syndromes and with very different symptoms. Stay at que-quiere-decir.com so you know more about these. Shall we start?

The Coronavirus family is said to have been discovered in the 1960s and its name is attributed to its appearance when viewed under a microscope which is similar to that of a corona or halo. This virus is common in various animal species such as camel, cat and bat.

This also infect the human being and within this they can be named:

  • MERS-CoV
  • SARS-CoV
  • COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2

The MERS-CoV or Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome , is a disease caused by the coronavirus and was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

The SARS-CoV or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is a disease caused by coronavirus identified in 2003.

Currently, the WHO has declared a pandemic due to COVID-19, produced by SARS-CoV-2. This was first identified in Wuhan in 2019.

Transmission

The different syndromes caused by the coronavirus have common means of transmission.

These are transmitted from person to person through the fludge droplets expelled when coughing, which can be suspended in the air or in fomites.  

These droplets need to have contact with mucosa to be able to introduce the microorganism to the human being.

These mucosa can be: ophthalmic, respiratory, oral.

This has an incubation period of 14 days.

symptom

Within the clinical manifestations it has been highlighted that they are symptoms very similar to the common cold.

These might be:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Dyspnoea
  • Myalgia
  • Asthenia

Among its most frequent complications and those that have been the main cause of its mortality we have:

  • Pneumonia
  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • Sepsis
  • Septic shock

Important to know …

This virus has caused a lot of panic worldwide, but preventive measures are very easy and with the right information you can avoid spreading it.

In countries where an epidemic has been reported, cities have been quarantined.

The preventive measures are:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Reduce contact of the hands with the face, mouth or nose.
  • If you are in a place where there is no water to wash your hands, you can use clean hands.
  • If you show any symptoms of the flu, you can use the masks to avoid contagion to others.
  • And keep 1 meter away from people if necessary.