This weeks episode is discussing all of the basics for Coronavirus! This is easily accessible information that you have heard a hundred times but hopefully in a way that's easier for everyone to understand and remember.
First things first, every year people get sick from the flu as well as, other coronaviruses. Coronaviruses is a family of viruses that typically causes the common cold which as you know self resolves. However, once in a while coronaviruses mutate and cause serious respiratory illness. So, in late 2019 in Wuhan, China the first case of COVID-19 was identified. It is also known as, SARS-CoV-2 or the novel corona virus. The first identified US case was in January 2020. Reservoirs which are the carriers of the virus are considered to be bats at this time. However, a variety of conspiracy theories about the origin of this illness exist and will continue to exist.
How does it SPREAD?
It spreads from person to person via respiratory droplets.
Close contacts (anyone within 6 feet)
How does that work exactly? Well basically when an infected person coughs or sneezes and is in close proximity to you, you can have their droplets land in your mouth or inhaled into your lungs. You can also get this virus by touching a surface like a table that the infected person touched after they sneezed and then rubbing your eyes or touching your own mouth. VERY DESCRIPTIVE, we know. (Hence, the episode on prevention go check that out! You gotta stay clean especially right now...)
SYMPTOMS
Varies from mild to severe respiratory symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath
Initial symptoms similar to the flu
Any worsening symptoms should prompt you for immediate medical attention at your local emergency department or urgent care
Population at RISK
Elderly (>65) with or without comorbid conditions
Nursing home or long term care facility residents
Younger age groups with comorbidities:
Asthma, chronic lung disease
Serious heart conditions
Immunocompromised
Obesity (possible reason: inflammation)
Type II DM
CKD on hemodialysis
Liver disease
Disease Progression
2-11 days from onset of exposure - flu like symptoms develop (fever, headache, muscle aches), dry cough, nausea, anosmia, taste disturbances, GI symptoms
Day 5 of symptoms - shortness of breath develops which may or may not be attributed to underlying pneumonia
Day 10 of symptoms - ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome) worrisome if develops as it increases mortality tremendously
Percentage of symptom severity
81% - mild
14% - severe
5% - critical
No vaccine to date thus, prevention is key at this time:
Hand washing or hand sanitizing with at least 60% alcohol, as an alternative
Stay home if you're sick
Cover your cough/sneeze with a tissue and dispose of it immediately
No current specific treatment available at this time. See our next episode for details of the experimental medications.
Also, do us a favor: Don't be that person that hoards medications unnecessarily.
That's all for this week, don't forget to leave us feedback, rate, review, subscribe and send in your questions so we can continue to improve as well as, provide you high quality content.
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