Corona virus

Corona virus or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a

virus that attacks the respiratory system. This disease caused by a viral infection is
called COVID-19. Corona virus can cause disorders of the respiratory system, acute
pneumonia, until death.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2  (SARS-CoV-2), better known as the Corona virus, is a
new type of coronavirus that is transmitted to humans. This virus can affect anyone,
both infants , children , adults, the elderly , pregnant women, and nursing mothers .

This virus infection is called COVID-19 and was first discovered in the city of Wuhan, China, at the end of
December 2019. This virus spread quickly and has spread to other regions in China and to several
countries, including Indonesia.
Coronavirus is a collection of viruses that can infect the respiratory system. In many cases, this virus only
causes mild respiratory infections, such as flu. However, this virus can also cause severe respiratory
infections, such as lung infections (pneumonia), Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Symptoms of Corona Virus

Corona virus infection or COVID-19 can cause sufferers to experience flu symptoms , such as fever,
runny nose, cough, sore throat, and headache; or symptoms of severe respiratory infections, such as high
fever, cough with phlegm and even bleeding, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
However, in general there are 3 general symptoms that can indicate someone is infected with the Corona
virus, namely:

 Fever  (body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius)

 Cough
 Hard to breathe

According to research, symptoms of COVID-19 appear within 2 days to 2 weeks after exposure to the
Corona virus.

When to see a doctor

Immediately see a doctor if you experience symptoms of a Corona virus infection (COVID-19) as
mentioned above, especially if symptoms appear 2 weeks after returning from an area that has a COVID-
19 case or interacting with a sufferer of Corona virus infection.
If you might be exposed to the Corona virus but don't experience any symptoms, you don't need to go to
the hospital to have a checkup, just stay at home for 14 days and limit contact with others.
Alodokter also has a feature to help you check the risk of contracting the Corona virus more easily. To
use the feature, please click the image below.

Causes of Corona Virus

Corona virus infection or COVID-19 is caused by coronavirus, which is a group of viruses that infect the
respiratory system. In most cases, coronaviruses only cause mild to moderate respiratory infections, such
as flu. However, this virus can also cause severe respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, Middle-East
Respiratory Syndrome  (MERS), and  Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome  (SARS).
It is suspected that the Corona virus was initially transmitted from animals to humans.However, it was
later discovered that the Corona virus was also transmitted from human to human.
A person can get COVID-19 through a variety of ways, namely:

 Accidentally inhale saliva splashes from sneezing or coughing sufferers of COVID-19

 Hold the mouth or nose without washing hands first after touching an object affected by saliva
splashes of COVID-19 sufferers
 Close contact with people with COVID-19, such as touching or shaking hands

Corona virus can infect anyone, but the effect will be more dangerous or even fatal if it occurs in elderly
people, pregnant women , people who are sick, or people whose immune systems are weak.

Corona Virus Diagnosis

To determine whether the patient is infected with the Corona virus, the doctor will ask about the
symptoms experienced by the patient. The doctor will also ask if the patient is traveling or living in an area
that has a case of Corona virus infection before symptoms appear.
To confirm the diagnosis of COVID-19, the doctor will carry out the following follow-up examinations:

 Blood sample test

 A throat swab test to examine sputum samples (PCR test)
 Chest radiograph to detect infiltrates or fluid in the lungs

Corona Virus Treatment

Corona virus infection or COVID-19 can not be treated, but there are several steps that doctors can take
to relieve symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus, namely:

 Refer COVID-19 sufferers to undergo treatment and caratina at the designated hospital
 Provide fever and pain relievers  that are safe and in accordance with the patient's condition
 Encourage sufferers of COVID-19 to do independent isolation and  adequate rest
 Encourage sufferers of COVID-19 to drink lots of water to maintain body fluid levels

Complications of Corona Virus

In severe cases, Corona virus infection can cause the following serious complications:

 Pneumonia
 Secondary infection of other organs
 Kidney failure
 Acute cardiac injury
 Acute respiratory distress syndrome
 Dead

Corona Virus Prevention

Until now, there is no vaccine to prevent Corona virus infection or COVID-19. Therefore, the best
prevention method is to avoid the factors that can cause you to be infected with this virus, namely:

 Avoid traveling to public places that are crowded with visitors ( social distancing ).
 Use a mask when on the move in public places or crowds.
 Routinely wash your hands with water and soap or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
after doing activities outside the home or in public places.
 Do not touch the eyes, mouth and nose before washing hands.
 Avoid contact with animals, especially wild animals. In case of contact with animals, wash your
hands afterwards.
 Cook the meat until it is completely cooked before consumption.
 Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the
trash.
 Avoid being close to people who are sick with a fever, cough or runny nose.
 Keep clean objects that are often touched and environmental cleanliness.

For people suspected of being affected by COVID-19 or included in the ODP (monitored

person) category , there are steps that can be taken so that the Corona virus is not transmitted to others,
namely:

 Do not leave the house, except for treatment.

 Check with your doctor only if you experience symptoms of respiratory distress accompanied by
fever or meet PDP criteria (the patient is under surveillance).
  Try to stay apart from other people for a while. If it is not possible, use a bedroom and bathroom
that is different from what others use.
 Prohibit and prevent others from visiting or visiting you until you are completely healed.
 As much as possible do not have meetings with people who are sick.
 Avoid sharing the use of cutlery and drinking equipment, toiletries, and sleeping equipment with
others.
 Wear a mask and gloves when in a public place or with someone else.
 Use tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, then immediately throw the
tissue in the trash.

If you want to get more information about symptoms, prevention, and facts about the Corona virus,
please download the Alodokter app on Google Play or the App Store . Through the Alodokter app, you
can also chat directly with doctors and make an appointment with a doctor in the hospital.
Sponsored by:

Last updated: March 22, 2020

Related article