COVID

Covid-19, also known as Coronavirus 2019, is a viral infection that affects respiratory illnesses. The virus has been termed as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or more commonly, SARS-CoV-2. The name ‘Corona’ has been derived from its crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus’s body. The virus started spreading at the end of 2019 and became a pandemic in 2020. The virus spreads in tiny droplets of fluid through the air between humans who come in close contact. Healthy people with Covid 19 do not experience any severe symptoms, but older adults with comorbidity may require close medical attention in hospitals and clinics. Covid-19 vaccines help prevent serious illnesses due to the viral infection and even death. Medicines can limit the seriousness of the virus attack. Most of the patients recover from the ailment fast, whereas some people carry symptoms for months. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) are typical examples of coronaviruses that cause illnesses.

Origin of Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are found in bats, cats, and camels. The viruses live in the animals’ bodies but don’t infect them. The viruses spread from these animals to other animal species. The viruses tend to mutate as they spread further. The virus can jump from animal species and infect humans. The viral effects are contagious. In the case of COVID-19, people who caught the viral infection in the initial phases have come in contact with the virus at fish and meat marketplaces where animals live.

How Do Covid-19 Spread?

The COVID-19 virus enters your body through your nose, mouth and eyes from the airborne droplets. The virus can also pass on from your hands to your face and infect you. The virus travels to your nasal passages and mucous membranes. Then, the virus attaches to the cells in the membranes, multiplies, and enters the lung tissue. Now, the virus is free to spread to other body tissues and affect one’s health.

How Does the New Coronavirus Spread?

Coronavirus spreads in the primary ways mentioned below –

• The virus travels through respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected person talks, sings, coughs, sneezes, or even breathes near another’s face. Inhaling these droplets can infect one.
• When one touches or shakes hands with an infected person and then touches their face, one might get affected by coronavirus.
• One touches a surface that has respiratory droplets and then touches the face.

Symptoms of Coronavirus

Covid-19 symptoms typically show up within 2 to 14 days after one gets in contact with the virus. The symptoms include –

• Fever and cold
• Loss of taste and smell
• Extreme fatigue and tiredness
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath
• Body pain
• Headache or muscle aches
• Cold symptoms like runny nose, congestion, or sore throat
• Digestive issues like upset stomach or diarrhea.
• Nausea and vomiting

People may only have a few of the above symptoms, but in some cases, infected ones can be asymptomatic, too. They don’t have symptoms yet test positive for COVID-19. Patients who have constant symptoms are presymptomatic. Now, these people can spread the virus to others. Asymptomatic COVID patients are more harmful because their symptoms are not evident; hence, people around them are not aware of taking precautions.

For some, symptoms start to worsen 7-14 days after they surface. Most COVID-19 patients are likely to suffer from mild to moderate symptoms. Medical complications can be severe and fatal. Let’s examine the mild, moderate, severe, critical, and rare cases. 

• Mild Covid-19 does not affect the lungs’ ability to circulate oxygen to the body.
• In moderate COVID-19 ailment, the lungs function properly, yet the signs of lung infections are clear.
• When the phase of COVID-19 is severe, the lungs fail to work correctly, and the infected person needs external oxygen support and professional medical help in hospitals.
• In the critical state, Covid-19 affects the respiratory system so severely that the entire system crushes. It causes the body damage.
• In rare cases, individuals infected with coronavirus develop symptoms such as inflamed organs or tissues. This phase is known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome.

When to Visit A Doctor?

An infected individual must contact a healthcare professional if s/he tests COVID-19 positive. When one experiences symptoms and requires tests for the ailment, or one has been in close contact with the virus, it’s advisable to contact a healthcare provider immediately for medical attention.

One who is at high risk of serious ailment must take medicine to block the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the body. The medical service provider will monitor the patient’s health while the person is on medication.

In case one experiences life-threatening symptoms, it’s advisable to seek emergency help right away. The symptoms include –

• Unable to catch breath or suffer breathing trouble
• Pale or blue lips, skin, or nails
• Confusion and dizziness
• Excessive sleepiness; difficulty staying awake
• Constant pain and pressure in the chest

Emergency room symptoms go beyond the list. If you take care of a person who experiences similar symptoms, seek immediate medical support. Inform the healthcare team about the test report and the symptoms of Covid-19. You can also call 911 when you have alarming symptoms.

How to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19?

Covid-19 is contagious. If you suffer from Covid-19 for several days, you are infectious while the symptoms are active. After 10 days or more, the symptoms begin to fade away, and one does not remain contagious.

Ways to prevent the spread of the virus –

• Maintain a six feet-distance from others whenever possible
• Wear a well-protective face mask to cover your mouth and nose in public.
• Wash hands at regular intervals.
• Carry sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content to cleanse your hand when you are outside.
• Isolate yourself at home and do it as possible to prevent infections in your loved ones.
• Don’t go into crowded places.
• Keep your room doors and windows open for flowing cross-ventilation.
• Clean the object surfaces that you touch often at home.

Who’s More At Risk of Covid-19?

Individuals who are at more risk of catching Covid-19 include the ones who –

• Live or travel in the areas with an ongoing COVID outbreak.
• Got into contact with a person detected with a positive result for COVID-19.
• Close contact with a person who has already been infected with COVID-19 can increase the risk.
• People aged 60+ with other medical conditions.
• Ones who have a weak immune system.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Covid 19 can be detected with laboratory tests. The doctor collects saliva or swabs the nose or throat for tests. You should contact your doctor in case –

• You feel feverish and have a cough with breathing trouble.
• You have been in close contact with a COVID-19 patient or a suspected patient with Covid-19.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), one must maintain self-isolation in case you have both criteria met. After the self-isolation, you don’t need to retest. The doctor’s advice needs to be followed. In case your immunity is low, you must stay home for a minimum of 20 days after your symptoms appear for the first time.

There is a chance of “false negative” results as well, which means you have COVID-19, although the test result shows a negative result. The reasons include –

• Tested too early in the course of infection
• The swab failed to catch a proper specimen
• The test was not so specific

Treatment for COVID-19 may vary based on the severity of your symptoms. The individual may need –

• Antiviral medications
• Supplemental oxygen
• Infusion of monoclonal antibodies
• Mechanical ventilation
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

At Global Care Meds, you can buy some of the most effective medicine solutions that were used to treat COVID-19 patients and the results were quite hopeful. We provide you with premium quality medicines that include – 

• Iverheal 
• Hydroxychloroquine 
• Azithromycin 
• Evimectin A
• Artesunate 
• Fenbendazole 
• Mebendazole 

Can Vaccinated People Catch Covid-19?

You can catch Covid-19 even when you are vaccinated. No vaccines are that effective. In some of the breakthrough cases, people can test positive more than 2 weeks after they have been vaccinated. The vaccines reduce your risk of catching the infection but don’t eliminate it.

Precaution and Prevention

First and foremost, get yourself vaccinated. You should follow the same steps you would do to prevent a common cold or flu.

• Wash your hands before having or preparing food, after using the bathroom, after coming into contact with a person with flu, and after wiping your nose.
• Wear a multilayered mask to cover your nose, mouth, and face.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the virus from spreading.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid close contact with people who suffer from cold and cough.
• Stay away from large crowds if you have a weak immune system.
• Use disinfectant at home to clean surfaces.
• Use hand sanitizer.
• Don’t get into skin contact.
• Have a healthy diet with a lot of liquid and adequate sleep.

Disclaimer

The sole intention of Global Care Meds is to make sure that its consumers get expert-reviewed information that is accurate and reliable. However, the information herein should not be replaced with the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover all possible side effects, drug interaction warnings, or alerts. Consult your medical professionals and discuss all your queries related to your disease or medicine. Our core intent is to provide information but not hampering the doctor-patient relationship.