Important Facts About The Coronavirus Pandemic You Need To Know

There is quite a lot of fear and confusion prevalent regarding the Coronavirus Pandemic, also known as COVID-19. It doesn’t help that there is a lot of misinformation and fear mongering regarding the disease. We must realize that a global pandemic does not mean the end of the world as we know it. The fear and uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus Pandemic stems from the fact that the information regarding the virus is limited and more study is needed before a vaccine or even a cure can be found for the disease. In the meantime, information is power and is crucial, so here are a few facts that you must know about the Coronavirus Pandemic. Keep in mind that the information that we have provided is just the tip of the iceberg and there is much that must be understood about the virus.

Facts about the Coronavirus Pandemic

• Origins of the Coronavirus Pandemic: Scientists explain that this virus originates from a group of viruses that infect mammals and birds. In humans, they cause infections of the respiratory tract which can be treated with over-the-counter medications. The common cold is also the result of a corona virus and while most are understood and is treatable while others can be lethal. While the disease does spread faster than normal, it can be treated once identified at the earliest.
• Location of the initial infection: It is a well-known fact that the virus was first seen in Wuhan, China but it is still unclear where it originated. COVID-19 is most likely to be a zoonotic virus, meaning that it can be transmitted between animals and people. Researchers suspect that the virus originated from bats because there appears to be a similarity between COVID-19 and two bat-derived strains of viruses. It was initially believed that bats were the source of the outbreak, which was pinpointed to the Huanan Seafood Market where exotic animals are sold.
• How it spreads: Since the world first learned about the disease, fear has been on the rise because of the speed with which the disease spreads. Scientists believe that there are two means by which the virus spreads, person-to person and through contact with infected surfaces. A person spreads the virus through respiratory droplets found while coughing and sneezing. Covering your mouth while coughing and sneezing is an effective manner of reducing the spread of the disease. Covering your mouth when with a face-mask is also effective, especially if you are in a public place.
• Detecting the virus: One of the biggest issues while dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic is that it has symptoms eerily similar to a common cold. Researchers have been coming up with methods to test for the presence of the virus. Several new testing methods have cropped up as a result. One of the best ways to check for the virus is to find the antibodies the body produces to fight the infection in a test called the serological test. A Singapore based firm has perfected the means to conduct the test. There are different other methods being used around the world, which is to look for the virus’ genetic information from a person’s saliva, mouth and nose.
• Risk factors involved: Till date, there is absolutely no immunity against the Coronavirus Pandemic, which means everyone is at risk of catching and spreading the infection. That certainly doesn’t mean you need to panic. COVID-19 is dangerous, but like most infections, certain portions of the population are at more risk than others. Children, healthcare professionals, the elderly and people with a compromised immune system are at more risk of contracting the virus than any other person. This one of the major reasons why the virus has managed to escape the confines of China and infect the world. Young and healthy people don’t show the regular symptoms of the virus and become unknown carriers of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Coronavirus Pandemic facts you didn’t know

The Coronavirus Pandemic has changed the world in ways that one can only imagine. The fear and panic around this deadly disease has created further problems for healthcare professionals and researchers who are struggling to find a cure or a breakthrough that will help in fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic.