7 Facts You Should Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19)

1. What are the characteristics of the coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a virus that can spread to animals and humans. Among them, six types of coronaviruses that can spread to humans are known. Four of them are viruses that cause diseases such as colds, and the other two are known as MERS coronavirus and SARS coronavirus, respectively.

The epidemic of pneumonia in Wuhan, China confirmed that the COVID-19 virus has spread to humans. Current sequencing of the COVID-19 virus confirmed that the COVID-19 virus was 89.1% identical in sequence to the SARS-like virus derived from bats.

2. How does COVID-19 spread?

The path of transmission of the COVID-19 virus is contact with droplets and respiratory secretions (nasal discharge, sputum, etc.). When a virus-infected person coughs or sneezes, a droplet that has been blown into the air enters another person’s respiratory tract. Viruses can also spread through the mucous membranes by touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with hands.

3. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, fatigue and dry cough, and some patients may experience pain, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected, but they do not develop symptoms and do not feel discomfort. About 80% of people recover without special treatment. About 1 in 6 people with COVID-19 are seriously ill and have difficulty breathing. Older people or people with underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes are more likely to develop severe. The fatality rate so far confirmed is about 2%, so careful evaluation of COVID-19 infection is needed for people with fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.

4. Can it spread even asymptomatically?

The main route of transmission of COVID-19 is through inhalation or contact with droplets discharged by patients who cough. The risk of COVID-19 infection in asymptomatic cases is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, patients with mild cough and not getting sick can get COVID-19 infection.

5. Is there a vaccine to prevent COVID-19?

No. As of March 2020, there is no known COVID-19 vaccine. However, research institutes around the world are working to create a vaccine that can prevent COVID-19.

6. What is the treatment for COVID-19?

Currently, the only solution is symptomatic treatment. The absence of a definite treatment means that there is no targeted therapy designed to find and cure COVID-19 virus or diseased cells. It does not mean that the disease cannot be cured.

7. Are airborne infections possible?

When a person infected with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, the virus can spread as droplets flying into the air enter someone else’s respiratory tract. Also, when an infected person touches the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. with a virus on his hand, the virus may spread through the mucous membrane. However, in addition to these droplet infections, there have been reports of airborne infections in confined spaces such as vehicles, elevators, and small rooms.