The pneumonia disease caused by Coronavirus became a recent discussion.
Pneumonia was originally found in Wuhan, Hubei, China. The disease is allegedly caused by Corona virus as a carrier.
Quoting from the WHO official website, corona viruses are caused by large family viruses that cause the common cold.
However this disease can develop more severe such as MERS and SARS.
Based on the official information on cdc.gov, this corona virus is found in many animal species such as camels and bats.
However Corona viruses can infect animals and can evolve into the human body. Corona viruses then become new viruses that attack humans.
Like nCoV, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV.
Coronavirus Symptoms
The following symptoms of pneumonia are caused by corona virus:
- Sore throat,
- Headache,
- Fever or
- Other symptoms such as flu.
- However it can develop into such MERS and SARS.
Corona viruses that can infect humans such as type 229E, NLL63, OC43, and HKU1, cause upper respiratory tract disease, from mild to moderate like the common cold.
Symptoms of this disease include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, and fever.
Corona viruses can cause diseases of the lower respiratory tract, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
This disease is more easily infected in people who have weak immune systems such as infants and elderly people.
MERS and SARS
Get to know the difference between two types of viruses corona MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. MERS usually accompanied by cough, fever, and shortness of breath that often develops into pneunomia.
Patients with the disease about 3 or 4 of the 10 patients with MERS are declared dead. Mers cases are common in the Arabian Peninsula.
While the symptoms of SARS disease are fever, chills, and body aches that can develop into pneunomia.
SARS-CoV
Coronavirus Acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) was first discovered in China on November 2002. This outbreak caused 774 deaths from 8,098 cases worldwide at 2002 to 2003.
Expert suspects Coronavirus Comes from laboratories in Wuhan [UPDATE January 26, 2020]
Coronavirus epidemic is spreading globally, which may come from a laboratory in Wuhan, associated with the Chinese secret biological weapons program. It is expressed by an Israeli biological warfare expert.
This week, Radio Free Asia re-aired Wuhan local television report from 2015 years ago, showing the most advanced viral research laboratory in China, known as Wuhan Virology Institute.
The laboratory is the only place that China declared by China capable of working on deadly viruses.
A former Israeli military intelligence that has studied Chinese biological weapons, Dany Shoham, said that the institute is associated with Beijing’s secret biological weapons program.
He also said that the work of biological weapons was carried out as part of the double civil-military research and “definite secrets “.
For information, Shoham holds a doctorate in medical microbiology. From 1970-1991, he was the senior analyst for military intelligence for biological and chemical warfare in the Middle East and throughout the world. His rank is known as Lieutenant Colonel. [Read also: Virus-hit Wuhan has two laboratories linked to Chinese bio-warfare program]
Facts about Coronavirus [UPDATE January 31, 2020]
Virus attacking the respiratory system
The Corona virus is a dangerous and deadly virus. Corona has a difference compared to other viruses, namely the Corona virus has the ability to give a fatal impact on the sufferer. The level of danger of this virus when it has entered into the lungs.
Consequently, it can damage the lung performance that causes pneumonia, which is the inflammation caused by viruses and other microorganisms. In addition, the oxygen exchange becomes difficult and the patient will undergo respiratory failure.
Viruses can appear without symptoms
Medical health experts are still researching more about the Corona virus that has spread in many countries. Most of the early symptoms are felt like cough, flu, fever, and shortness of breath. However, according to a health doctor conducting research in Hong Kong, people affected by the Corona virus may be sick without common symptoms such as previous sufferer.
The research team has conducted observations on 6 family members traveling to China on January 15-16, 2020. One of the 6 family members is known to not travel to China and does not present any symptoms of Corona virus. However, when conducting a lung examination, there is no respiratory distress experienced. In fact, he did not experience common symptoms such as fever, flu, and cough.
Difficult to survive outside the human body
The Corona Virus has a specific host trait, which is spreading from human to human by direct transmission through sneezing or coughing.
The Corona Virus will not be stable when it is in the air and can only last for only 3 hours until a small air transmission can be possible. Therefore, the prevention of the spread of this virus is important from yourself.
Corona Virus caused by snake
It is known that the Corona virus is transmitted by snakes to humans. According to the Chinese government’s health advisory, Zhong Nanshan, the virus was transmitted through civet and rat and illegal wildlife sales centers, in the city of Wuhan supposedly the beginning of the cause of the Corona virus transmission.
How To Prevent Coronavirus [update March 15, 2020]
The Virus is thought to be derived from animals, such as bats, snake, and camels, and can be transmitted from animals to humans, as well as from humans to humans. Human transmission is most likely through a splash of phlegm when coughing or sneezing.
When infected with Corona viruses, one will experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, and colds. However, a few days later, people infected with Corona virus infection may experience shortness of breath due to infection in the lungs.
To date, there have been no medications that can cure Corona virus infections. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges people to not take a trivial look at the disease and to carry out preventive measures.
Some steps that can be done to prevent the Corona virus infection are:
WHO (World Health Organization) ways
These are the preventive measures of Corona virus transmission according to WHO:
- Keep the workplace clean and hygienic
- Routine wash hands cleanly and thoroughly
- Apply sneezing ethics and proper cough
- Encourage colleagues / relatives who are sick to rest at home
- Note the travel warning from the government before traveling abroad
- If COVID19 have spread out in the neighborhood, those who experience a mild cough / fever should stay at home
- Strive to do teleworking (mobile / remote working).
When the COVID-19 started spreading in the neighborhood, health authorities would provide encouragement regarding the use of public transport or travel to crowded places.
The encouragement to always wash your hands after the outdoor activity is always emphasized. Maintaining hygiene is necessary for the body to avoid the danger of viruses.
CDC Ways:
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), encourages people who live together with COVID-19 sufferers to do the following things to prevent infection.
- People are encouraged to use a separate bedroom and bathroom.
- Everyone should always wash their hands and do the right cough etiquette (use elbow or tissue, discard the tissue in the trash).
- Sufferers should also avoid contact with pets, if they have them in place of residence
- Everyone should always keep the cleanliness of the residence, especially in the room or objects that are commonly used
- Participate in monitoring the sufferer’s symptoms to immediately follow up
- Use masks and gloves, especially in sufferers and anyone who has traveled to the infected area of the virus.
- Routine hand washing, using anti-septic fluid and maintaining hygiene are also the anticipating measures to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus.
Wash your hands properly
Properly washing your hands is the simplest but most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus 2019-nCoV. Wash hands with flowing water and soap, for at least 20 seconds. Make sure the entire hand is washed clean, including the back of your hand, wrists, fingers and nails. Afterwards, dry the hand using a tissue, a clean towel, or a hand dryer machine.
If you are a commuter worker who is in public transport, it will be difficult to find water and soap. You can clean your hands with a hand sanitizer. Use a hand sanitizer product with alcohol content of at least 60% to more effectively eradicate germs.
Wash hands regularly, especially before and after meals, after using the toilet, after touching the animal, removing the garbage, and after coughing or sneezing. A hand wash is also important before breastfeeding a baby or milking.
How to prevent the spread of Corona viruses in the workplace according to WHO
The number of deaths caused by this virus, although some are recovered, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers the outbreak as an international emergency health case.
They provide guidance on how corona viruses work and how to avoid them. According to the WHO release, here is a guide to avoiding the spread of corona viruses in the workplace:
Corona Virus spreads through body fluids
Corona Virus spreads through intermediary body fluids. Its spread can be from saliva to sneezing that is touched by the outside of the body, and also through breathing. Suppose, you accidentally hold someone’s saliva on the table. Essentially, this spread is similar to how the flu works.
Make sure your workspace is clean
WHO explained, a powerful way to prevent the transmission of Corona virus is very simple. Which is to ensure the hygiene conditions around you are maintained. It begins with cleaning the table using the disinfectant, and laying the hand sanitizer in common places that are often used. Remind every employee or coworker to always wash their hands.
Provide tissues and masks
The Office should provide tissues and masks. Make sure both items are present. So anyone can take advantage of both items. Try to have a closed trash. Due to the cleanliness of the air flow and good environment, it can also prevent the spread of corona viruses.
Increase people’s awareness of the Corona virus
One thing that is considered important by WHO is the awareness of employees in the workspace against this deadly virus. Like showing posters about breathing hygiene, so that all can understand it.
Take a break if the body begins to not fit
The way corona virus spread can also be through cough. For those who are not in good body, preferably a rest soon at home, and take medication like paracematol. Cough is a clinical symptom of corona virus infection, although it needs to be proven by laboratory results.
Avoid traveling for a while
WHO suggests not going out of the country or doing travel for a while, including business. We recommend that companies also understand this. If you have to be forced to get someone out of business, make sure that people go in a healthy state, and have checked the list of Corona viruses that have been affected. It can be seen through the WHO website.
Employees who have returned from Corona’s viral deployment area must monitor themselves to wait for their symptoms for 14 days, as well as the temperature twice a day. If they suffer from a mild cough or mild fever (with a body temperature of 37.3 degrees Celsius or more), they should stay inside the house and self-isolate.
The goal is to avoid close contact (one meter or even closer) with others, including family members. They should also immediately call health care providers or local public health departments. Provide travel details and symptoms to health workers.
Do not discriminate against infected persons
If there are any co-workers appearing corona virus symptoms, directly separate the person into an isolated room. Immediately report it to local health authorities. But avoid also discrimination and support them to pass through the disease.
Fighting corona viruses is actually not much different as against other diseases. Provided you understand correctly how to maintain the hygiene of the body. There’s one more thing: no need to panic about the case.
The Most Common Ways How COVID-19 Spreads [UPDATE March 30, 2020]
The epidemic of Covid-19 through SARS-CoV-2 virus to date still continues to spread and infect many people around the world. The spread is also very fast.
This situation makes the WHO (World Health Organization) warn the public to take action to prevent corona. That is, by diligently washing hands using soap and water or hand sanitizer, cleaning surfaces often touched with disinfectants, and doing social distancing.
Direct contact with the respiratory fluids of patients infected with corona.
Why wash your hands with soap is so important? According to Kirsten Hokeness, professor and chair of the Department of Science and Technology at Bryant University and an immunologist, virology, microbiology and human health and disease, the most common way SARS-CoV-2 spread is through direct contact with the respiratory fluid of corona-infected patients.
The way of transmission can take place when the corona patient cough or sneezes, then the viruses and bacteria are transferred from the hands to the nose or mouth of others. Nevertheless, until now, research on the Covid-19 continues.
How long can the corona virus last on Surfaces?
Other research also reveals that Covid-19 can live a few days on harsh, unporous surfaces. While on porous surfaces such as fabrics or cardboard, the virus will only last for 24 hours.
Research in The New England Journal of Medicine also finds how long the virus can withstand the surface and air.
As an aerosol gas that floats in the air, virus can last up to three hours, while the breathing droplets tend to fall faster to the ground. In plastics and stainless steel, the virus causes Covid-19 can last up to three days and on copper about four hours.
Does corona survive in the air?
According to a published study in The New England Journal of Medicine, aerosol particles can spread the viral cause of Covid-19. So, there is the possibility of transmission of disease through the air in some particular situation. Then is the aerosol particles the same as breathing drops?
S. Wesley Long, medical director of diagnostic Microbiology at Houston Methodist Hospital, explained that aerosol particles differ from the respiratory droplets or liquids that may be excreted when a person sneezes or coughs.
Aerosol particles are able to last long in the air and travel long distances and can be easily inhalation to the lungs. According to Long, breathing droplets are generally 20 times larger and only able to walk about two feet before they finally fall to the ground.
However, you should not be afraid because aerosol particles, such as fog, it can only be found under certain conditions. In addition, the risk of infection from aerosol particles is very low for most people.
But for medical workers, these particles can bring a fairly high risk. According to the professor and chair of the Department of Science and Technology at Bryant University, Kirsten Hokeness, another procedure that can produce aerosols is oxygen therapy, the scoping procedures and CPR.
While in the air, the particles can move through the air stream from the ventilation or the fan that will help it to move into another room. In addition, human activities such as walking and opening doors can also help particles move.
Weaknesses of Coronavirus that You Must Know [Update April 7, 2020]
The Corona Covid-19 pandemic virus is still continuing today.
Every day, the number of positive patient cases until the mortality rate continues to increase.
In fact, the end of the pandemic is still a mystery.
Preventive measures are continued to reduce transmission so that the outbreak of the Coronavirus can end soon.
To avoid worrying too much, you need to know that Coronaviruses also have weaknesses.
This weakness can be used to prevent transmission, so that the risk of contracting can be lower.
So far, scientists, researchers, and healthcare officers have devised ways to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 through such weaknesses.
One thing that makes a lot of people worried about Covid-19 is because there is no cure or vaccine that is devoted to overcoming and preventing this disease.
Therefore, the best possible way to protect ourselves is to make the maximum prevention.
However, despite the rapid spread, Corona viruses also still have weaknesses that can be utilized to break the chain of transmission.
So, what is coronavirus weakness?
Easily lost with fat solvents
What is fat solvent? Yes, fat solvent is the daily soap we use. Coronavirus, can be destroyed and died if exposed to soap. That is why, we are encouraged to diligently wash hands with water and soap to prevent the infection of Covid-19.
Then, why is soap effective for killing corona viruses? The answer is in the virus composition itself. Corona Virus is essentially composed of three parts, namely:
- DNA or RNA that is the core of the virus
- Proteins that are the raw materials of viruses to multiply
- Layer of fat as outer protector.
The three parts are not actually tied strongly to each other. So, when the layer of fat is destroyed by soap, the virus will also be destroyed and died.
So, the encouragement to wash hands is a valid and highly effective step to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. If you are diligently washing hands with soap and flowing water, then the virus is likely to move from hand and into the body will be reduced drastically.
Can be defeated by antibodies
Covid-19 infections can occur in several severity levels, ranging from mild to severe.
In Covid-19 patients who have mild symptoms, these infections can heal on their own during good the body’s immune system.
A study conducted in Australia is in practice that one of the weaknesses of Coronaviruses is in the face of healthy antibodies.
This study saw regularly the levels of antibodies produced by a patient Covid-19 aged 47 years with mild to moderate symptoms.
Such patients have no accompanying diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. The overall body condition is healthy and there is only one infection that is happening, namely Covid-19.
On the day 7-9 since the symptoms of Covid-19 first appeared in such patients, a number of antibodies began to form in the body.
This is the sign, the middle body releases its various weapons to try to fight the coronavirus. A few days after the antibodies are formed, the patient’s body starts to improve.
It still takes more research on a larger scale to see a “warfare” pattern between corona viruses and antibodies.
However, the above research can be used as a reminder of the importance of maintaining body endurance by living a healthy lifestyle.
Hot temperature
One of the weaknesses of Covid-19 viruses is high or hot temperatures. When the Coronavirus is at a hot temperature, its durability will weaken.
That is, Corona’s viral ability to spread will diminish. where the Corona virus can last within a maximum of 3 minutes when it is at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
Surely it remains to be vigilant and cautious about the spread of this Coronavirus. Especially to implement a healthy and clean life also should not be missed even though know the weakness of Corona virus.
Coronavirus can be deactivated with disinfectant liquid
As a result of some research mentions, coronaviruses can be deactivated with a disinfectant material i.e., alcohol with a rate of 60-70 percent, hydrogen peroxide 0.5 percent, or sodium hypochlorite with a rate of 0.1 percent within 1 minute.
So, it is not surprising that since Coronavirus is spread, many parties recommend spraying liquid disinfectant. Liquid spraying is even done in bulk with large volumes.
In some cities, spraying is done by police cars. Every corner of the city is sprayed, including roads, buildings and objects surrounding it.
However, to be remembered, spraying of disinfectant fluids is not advised to be directly to the human body because it is feared to interfere with the respiratory system.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to provide disinfectant fluids in your home or workplace. The objects that can be sprayed are the most frequently used or touched such as tables and chairs, doorknob and others.
It can’t last long to be extended
Coronaviruses can indeed survive a few days on the surface. However, as time goes by, this virus is no longer strong enough to cause infection. So, the WHO do not prohibit delivery of packets between countries because the risk of transmission through the parcel delivery media is very low.
The weakness of Corona viruses should be known so that you can understand how to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 and not to underestimate this virus. Always do prevention at various places and times, so that your risk of being contracted to this virus remains low.
