WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS:

In this article, the different coronaviruses, their symptoms and their transmission are discussed.

Coronaviruses can infect animals such as bats, cats, and dogs etc. which can further transmit this to
humans and affect their respiratory tracts and can cause pneumonia, bronchitis, severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19 amongst others.

SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus that has spread to all over the world affecting
approximately 340,000 people as of March 23. COVID-19 is supposed to have originated in Wuhan
in an animal and sea food market suggesting animal-to-human transmission, but recent cases
suggest that it can pass between individuals too. Its general symptoms are fever, cough,
breathlessness and potential loss of smell according to Adam Felman (2020). There is no vaccine
against COVID-19 available as of now and the symptoms can take up to two weeks to show up after
a person as contracted the virus.

Adam Felman (2020) noted that there are 7 types of coronaviruses which infect human. The
common symptoms of a coronavirus infection are sneezing, running nose, fatigue, cough etc. and
are subjective to the person who has contracted it. It is believed that in humans, these viruses
spread by fluids in the respiratory system, coming in close contact with an infected person and
touching the nose, eyes or mouth with virus infested hands.

The transmission of coronaviruses can be prevented if an infected person stays at home and
maintains social distance. Using a tissue or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing, and thereafter
getting rid of it and maintaining general hygiene can also help preventing the spread.

References:

Felman, A. (n.d.). Coronaviruses: Symptoms, treatments, and variants. Retrieved from

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/256521