The word virus is of Latin origin and its meaning is poison or toxin . Viruses reproduce within the cell of our system that they infect , basically to reproduce and infect our system , what they do is hijack the cell ‘s information to produce viruses instead of new cells and thus expand.
The emergence of a new virus , which has been called the Wuhan Coronavirus , has been very active since the end of 2019. What we are hearing through the news is that it is highly contagious and lethal , and has set off all the international health alarms .
But what exactly is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can be of several types. All of them are common in animals , which means that they are transferred from animals to humans . Specifically in China they have a large animal market , a fact that has cultivated transmission .
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are similar to those of the flu: fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath and fatigue . The fact that it is lethal is that, depending on the state of your immune system , it can lead to pneumonia that can be complicated by a respiratory infection .
Is there a cure?
There is still no treatment currently that can combat this virus . The US National Institutes of Health are currently working on finding a vaccine , but once this happens, they will have to do clinical trials and all of this may take more than a year until they have a vaccine .
This is the global situation by number of infected :
- CHINA: 60,000
- ASIA
- Japan: 32
- Taiwan: 18
- Cambodia: 1
- Malaysia: 19
- Philippines: 3
- Singapore: 58
- Thailand: 32
- Vietnam: 15
- South Korea: 28
- India: 3
- Nepal: 1
- Sri Lanka: 1
- OCEANIA
- Australia: 15
- NORTH AMERICA
- Canada: 7
- United States: 15
- EUROPE
- Germany: 16
- Belgium: 1
- Spain: 2
- Finland: 1
- France: 11
- Italy: 3
- Sweden: 1
- United Kingdom: 9
- Russia: 2
- MIDDLE EAST
- United Arab Emirates: 8
What to do if you suspect infection?
The Coronavirus is transmitted through the respiratory tract , through respiratory droplets that we produce when we cough, sneeze or speak .
If we suspect that we may have been in contact with an infected person or we suffer from the symptoms that describe the Coronavirus , it is advisable to go to the nearest hospital and cover our mouth with a mask . Mild cases are treated like a cold , with rest, hydration with liquids and in case of pain and/or fever, ibuprofen or paracetamol. In more severe cases , the affected person is admitted and given antivirals and doses of steroids to reduce lung inflammation and oxygen support .
In order to prevent infection , since there is still no cure , we will have to maintain basic hygiene . Wash your hands frequently and avoid contact with people who are already infected, especially protecting your eyes, nose and mouth . Note that no case has yet been detected in Andorra . The Chinese patient who went to the hospital with suspected infection had nothing more than a simple flu. In any case, at the Nuestra Señora de Meritxell hospital , they are prepared in case they have to activate the protocol set by the WHO for prevention and detection.