CORONA VIRUS

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History of corona viruses.

The 1930s saw the discovery of coronaviruses when a novel upper respiratory tract illness in poultry was documented in North Dakota, USA. When the causal agent was discovered to be a virus in 1933, it was recognized to be distinct from other viral illnesses. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was the term given to the virus before it was subsequently renamed as avian coronavirus.

Additional coronaviruses were found in different species in the ensuing years. A novel mouse brain illness caused by the JHM virus was identified in 1947 at Harvard Medical School. A few years later, the National Institute for Medical Research in London reported the discovery of a novel mouse hepatitis, which was eventually dubbed murine coronavirus. The virus was initially designated as mouse hepatitis virus (MHV).

In 1961, B814, the first human coronavirus, was isolated from a schoolboy in Epsom, England. In 1965, its status as a new virus was proven. In 1966, more frequent cold viruses that were obtained from University of Chicago medical students were also reported. Through structural examinations with transmission electron microscopy, it was determined that these viruses were all members of the same group, distinguished by projections on their surfaces that resembled the sun's corona. June Almeida and David Tyrrell first used the term "coronavirus" in 1967.

A family of hundreds of viruses known as coronaviruses primarily affects animals like cats, camels, hens, and bats. Cross-species transmission, sometimes called spillover, is the process by which viruses that infect one species can occasionally evolve and begin infecting another species. There are now seven coronaviruses known to be pathogenic to humans. Three of these can cause more serious and even deadly infections, while four of them often cause mild illnesses like the common cold.

The more dangerous strains are SARS-CoV, which was the source of the 2002 SARS outbreak; MERS-CoV, which was the cause of the 2012 MERS outbreak; and SARS-CoV-2, which is the origin of the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. These viruses, which originated from zoonotic sources, have seriously jeopardized international health.

Since its introduction in Wuhan, China, SARS-CoV-2 in particular has had a significant effect on the global community. It mostly spreads by respiratory droplets between individuals and has caused significant disease, fatalities, and disruption to society. The implementation of preventive measures like as mask wear, physical distancing, and hand hygiene has proven crucial in mitigating the virus's transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) keeps up with developments and guidelines to support community and individual protection.

Definition of corona virus,

A family of similar RNA viruses known as coronaviruses is responsible for illnesses in both birds and mammals. They can cause respiratory tract infections in people that can range in severity from minor illnesses like the common cold to more serious conditions like SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. The name "corona," which means "crown" in Latin, originates from the unique crown-like appearance of these viruses when observed under an electron microscope, which is caused by spike proteins on their surface. The coronavirus family, or Corona viridae, is made up of several genera, each of which has a distinct species of virus, including Gamma coronavirus, Delta coronavirus, Beta coronavirus, and Gamma coronavirus.

The following are risk factors for serious coronavirus disease, especially COVID-19:

Age: The largest risk of severe symptoms is seen in elderly persons, particularly those 85 years of age and above.
Underlying Medical Conditions: Individuals who suffer from heart or lung illness, diabetes, obesity, cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, or impaired immune systems are more vulnerable.
Race/Ethnicity: Serious sickness is more common among certain racial and ethnic minority groups.
Gender: Compared to women, men are typically more at risk of developing a serious COVID-19 condition.
Socioeconomic variables: Due to variables including restricted access to treatment and elevated exposure risk, poverty and crowding might raise the chance of a serious illness. 

Immunization Status: Not having received a COVID-19 immunization or being out of date on immunizations raises the risk of serious consequences.

Coronaviruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19, usually show up as a variety of symptoms that can differ in intensity. Typical signs and symptoms include of:

• Cough with fever.
• Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
• Weary
• body pains or muscles.
• Headache 
• loss of smell or taste
• Sore throat
• Runny or congested nose
• Vomiting or feeling queasy
• Diarrhea

Within two to fourteen days of viral exposure, these symptoms may manifest. In more severe cases—especially in older persons and those with underlying medical conditions—infection can result in pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, renal failure, and even death.

Additionally, neurological symptoms like stroke, changed mental state, or dizziness may occur in certain patients.

Treatments: -

The severity of the symptoms determines the course of treatment for COVID-19. Here are a few broad recommendations:

For less severe cases:

• Take a nap at home and keep an eye on your symptoms.
• To reduce discomfort and fever, stay hydrated and take ibuprofen or paracetamol.
• If you have a sore throat, sip warm beverages and take cough medication.

For severe conditions necessitating hospitalization.

Based on the immune system's reaction and the requirement for oxygen support, care is administered.

• A nasal tube may be used to administer more oxygen.

Among the medications that could be utilized are:

• corticosteroids that lessen the immune system's overstimulation, such as dexamethasone.

Monoclonal antibody treatment, for individuals without antiviral antibodies or those with severe COVID-19 who are at risk of hospitalization.

• Antiviral medications including molnupiravir (Lagevrio), remdesivir (Veklury), and nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid).

To stop the disease from spreading, it's critical to follow public health recommendations and confer with medical experts while making plans.  

Preventions; -

There are multiple measures involved in preventing COVID-19. Here are a few essential techniques:

• Vaccinate yourself: Maintaining current COVID-19 vaccination records considerably reduces the chance of developing severe illness, needing hospitalization, or passing away from COVID-19.
• Wear masks: They may provide some degree of protection to the wearer and help stop COVID-19 carriers from infecting others.
• Boost Ventilation: Enough airflow helps keep the air inside of buildings free of virus particles. This involves utilizing air filtering equipment and opening windows. 
• Hand Hygiene: You can eliminate viruses from your hands by regularly washing them with soap and water or by using hand sanitizer.
• Physical Distancing: Reducing the danger of transmission involves maintaining a safe distance from people, particularly in crowded or indoor environments. 
• Avoid Close Contact: Even if a person doesn't feel ill, avoid being around sick or proven COVID-19 carriers.
• Get Tested: If you've been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 or you exhibit symptoms, get tested. If the results are positive, follow the directions for isolation.
• Keep in mind that these are only broad recommendations, so it's critical to heed the most recent guidance from local health authorities.
• Avoid Close Contact: Even if a person doesn't feel ill, avoid being around sick or proven COVID-19 carriers.
• Get Tested, if you've been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 or you exhibit symptoms, get tested. If the results are positive, follow the directions for isolation.

Keep in mind that these are only broad recommendations, so it's critical to heed the most recent guidance from local health authorities.