World Health Community Responds to Coronavirus
By Charlotte Park
The virus, first reported near the end of 2019, has affected thousands of people globally.
COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has spread to countries, including the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and most recently Iran. There are reports of infections on every continent other than Antarctica. It has killed more than 2,000 people and infected more than 75,000 others. The virus, which can be spread from animals to humans, is believed to have originated from the Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market. Along with selling fish, the market sells live animals like birds, rabbits, and snakes. Environmental samples taken from the market have tested positive for the virus. The virus mainly affects the respiratory tract in mammals, resulting in people contracting respiratory tract illnesses, which can be very serious and sometimes deadly.
Because the coronavirus gives people an upper respiratory tract illness, it has symptoms similar to the common cold, including a cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and fever. Those with a weaker immune system have a higher chance of contracting a more serious illness like bronchitis or pneumonia. If one does contract these illnesses, their symptoms will be much more severe. They will most likely experience chest pressure, shortness of breath, a cough that produces thick mucus, wheezing, and a fast heart rate. Despite the fact that the symptoms of the coronavirus can be very serious, it is not that common.
Though symptoms can be temporarily relieved with pain or fever medication, there is presently no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus. Using a room humidifier and taking hot showers may also help with a sore throat or cough. Getting rest, staying home, and drinking plenty of liquids is also recommended.
There is no cure for the virus, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a guide for countries advising them on how to handle the outbreak. The WHO has declared the virus a world health emergency. The organization encourages people to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, thoroughly cook meat and eggs, wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, and avoid close contact with anyone with symptoms of respiratory illness. Taking these simple precautions can help prevent the coronavirus from spreading even more.
