A new respiratory virus called novel coronavirus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has, as of now, infected almost 6,000 Chinese citizens. This deadly virus has caused over 132 deaths so far and is spreading rapidly across China, especially in the cities of Hubei province, and to at least 16 other countries across the globe.

Chinese authorities are tirelessly trying to quarantine several major Chinese cities to stop the spread of this infection, which mainly causes pneumonia-like symptoms. While most of these reported cases have been mainly in China, with central Hubei province being the worst-affected, there are other countries trying to prevent its outbreak as well.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning that the number of cases is likely to rise further, and Chinese authorities are filling up their arsenal with a number of measures to try to halt the virus’ spread.

Before we learn and understand the coronavirus cure, we first need to understand the coronavirus origin and move on to the coronavirus diagnosis and the coronavirus treatment.

What is coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a kind of common virus which causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or even your upper throat. While most coronaviruses are not dangerous, there are other types of coronaviruses which can have serious consequences that lead to death. The coronavirus is primarily a family of viruses that can cause a range of illnesses in humans, including common cold, and more severe forms like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which can be life-threatening. The virus is named coronavirus after its shape which takes the form of a crown with protrusions around it.

Coronavirus Symptoms

The coronavirus symptoms are similar to any other upper respiratory infection which includes runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sometimes even fever. In most cases, it is difficult to diagnose whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus, such as rhinovirus.

But if the coronavirus infection spreads to your lower respiratory tract, i.e. your windpipe and your lungs, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease, or people with weakened immune systems.

Coronavirus Precautions & Personal Preventive Measures

There is no specific vaccine for coronavirus yet. To prevent a coronavirus infection, you need to take certain precautionary and preventive measures to avoid the common cold. These include:
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Close nose and mouth with tissues when coughing or sneezing
• Avoid close contact with people who are infected or those with cold or flu-like symptoms

The best ways to treat a coronavirus infection are:
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Take over-the-counter medication for a sore throat and fever
• A humidifier or steam shower can also help ease a sore and scratchy throat

Preventive Measures Taken by India

After the recent outbreak of novel coronavirus in China, India is doing everything in its power to evacuate Indians living in China. According to India’s Health Ministry, 9150 passengers have been screened for the novel coronavirus as of now. Fortunately, there is no case of novel coronavirus been reported in India. Additionally, health ministry has asked all the travellers from China to report to the nearest health facility in case they feel sick. The health ministry has even asked authorities at seven main airports of India that include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin, to screen those travelling from China.

Although there is no reported case of coronavirus in India, health ministry is taking measures to ensure it stays that way. If you wish to know more about coronavirus or want to get yourself checked, visit the nearest health facility or your doctor to learn more.