Infections caused by the new Corona virus COVID-19 (Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2)
Scientists are still investigating the cause and pathology of the COVID-19 virus, but as yet little is known. Currently we can only see the tip of the “iceberg” and not the whole picture.
Research priorities are focusing on epidemiology – what factors cause the infection and how transmission takes place, diagnosis – establishing the true extent of the spread of the virus and how it can be detected, and what the best practices are for managing the infection. Intensive parallel research is ongoing into its pathology, virulence, finding a vaccine and appropriate therapies.
The capability of testing all suspected victims of the virus are inadequate at best and it will take many more weeks until such a capability becomes established. In addition to coping with the volume of potential victims, screening has to also provide accurate results which, currently, it is not.
Professor Lipsitch, a specialist in epidemiology and director of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, stated that: “Recent modelling suggests that most countries’ screening procedures for travellers miss two-thirds of people with COVID-19 symptoms”.
For those persons who are infected with COVID-19, clear symptoms can include some, but not all of the following: fever, dry cough, runny nose and fatigue, breathing problems, sore throat, headache body aches and chills. Instances of nausea and diarrhoea have also been reported. Coronavirus can be difficult to diagnose without formal testing owing to its wide range of presented conditions which range from asymptomatic all the way through to pneumonia and, for approximately 1% of those infected, death. However, death usually occurs within patients who have additional underlying illnesses and who are in high-risk groups, as will be described later on. Many symptoms of COVID-19 are also similar to many other illnesses and ailments, so making diagnosis even more complex.
Many who are infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms at all and are unlikely to become ill through the virus. However, at this stage there is no data to draw on as an indicator of the severity of the virulence in these cases. Those infected with COVID-19, but with no reason to be tested for the virus, so it is impossible to estimate how many people are actually infected, or will become infected. However, this has become a global pandemic and the virus has to be taken very seriously as, while those in at-risk groups can be vaccinated against influenza, which accounts for many deaths, globally, each year, there is no vaccine yet available for immunisation against COVID-19.
As more and more people become infected with the COVID-19 virus who are either unaffected by it or who suffer only a minor illness, so immune systems become stronger against such strains, and eventually the virus becomes ineffective as while people’s immune system may change, the virus doesn’t.
Today, it looks like this:
It should be noted that not all new virus variants are dangerous. With certain viruses, the body develops an immunity against it before it can do any lasting damage to any organs. The SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which caused several deaths between 2002 and 2003was a corona virus variant, yet before it had a chance to create a global pandemic, the virus simply died out.
At-risk groups
With China having the greatest number of reported cases, data from the home of the outbreak is most relevant. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), of those infected with COVID-19 approximately 80% show mild symptoms. For those more seriously infected, complications resulting from infection with the virus can include breathing problems and the onset of pneumonia.
From the Chinese data, it has been come clear that those who are most at risk of serious illness and death lie in a group of people who are over 60 years old and who already have current, ongoing (underlying) health issues, including cardiovascular and heart disease, lung disease and respiratory problems, liver and kidney disease, and cancer. Those aged over 80 with no underlying health issues are also at risk and males appear to be more at risk than women, though it is suggested this may be because more men smoke than women.
According to the WHO, instances of COVID-19 in children appears to be rare and symptoms mild, while pregnant women do not appear to be at any greater risk of developing a serious illness when infected.
In summary, those persons at greatest risk of serious illness or death resulting from COVID-19 infection are the elderly and those with underlying serious illnesses.
Important Measures to Take
It has been revealed that infection with COVID-19 occurs through the mouth, nose and eyes. As a consequence, paying particularly close attention to hand hygiene is essential as we frequently touch our face with our hands. Hands should be washed thoroughly, paying particular attention to the areas between the digits. Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are very effective (please note they must be alcohol-based), though ordinary soap and hot water is also extremely effective.
What to Do if you Have Any Symptoms
Most important – DO NOT go to your doctor or the hospital.
Instead, you should ‘self-isolate’ by staying at home and contacting your doctor by telephone to report your symptoms, or phoning the hospital if you have been taken seriously unwell. Going outside will only increase the chances of you infecting others with the virus.
Keeping Fit and Healthy
To both reduce your risk of contracting the virus and ensure it has the least effect, maintaining your current health is important.
There are several proactive things you can do to combat the effects of COVID-19 and to boost your immune system
· Eat healthily
· Exercise regularly
· Avoid smoking, passive smoking and polluted environments
*Sources of information and recommendations: Experts from the Harvard School of Public Health, Robert Koch Institute and WHO.
Prof. Dr. Werner Seebauer is Dean of Studies – Association of German Preventologists, Head of Preventive Medicine Department of Institute of Transcultural Health Sciences (European University Viadrina) and Head of Preventive Medicine – NESA (The New European Surgical Academy). Since 2000, prof. dr. Werner Seebauer worked only in preventive medicine, after ten years spent at the Frankfurt University Hospital. He is also involved in the medical professionals training for nutrition and prevention.