Recently there has been a new breaking story all over the world about coronavirus, which broke in when a novel illness was detected in China. This imitates similar symptoms to an influenza virus. Coronavirus is a family of viruses that can cause various symptoms of respiratory infections like runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, and pneumonia in severe cases. There have been almost 300 cases in China of Coronavirus infection. Here, is an in-depth insight into this novel illness and its management.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a family of human viruses causing lower and upper respiratory tract infections and symptoms.

These viruses are zoonoses, which means they can infect both humans and animals as well. They can spread from one animal to another and one human to another and is highly contagious. It spreads from animals to humans due to certain mutations in them. Though the connection of spreading of this virus from animal to human is unknown yet. But it has been witnessed that humans that got infected in China due to seafood consumption.

Symptoms: Symptoms include coughing, fever, pneumonia, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, and many more. In advanced cases, the patient can have serious complications like renal failure or severe pneumonia. Elderly or very young patients with a weakened immune system can even develop bronchitis.

Who should worry about catching it?

It is believed that this new virus transmits like other flu viruses and spread by direct contact with infected patients. The droplets of the infected patient, coughing and sneezing or contact with the patient's affected tools or articles and then directly touching the nose, mouth, or eyes spread this virus.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Several hygiene measures can be kept in mind and followed to protect oneself from this infection. Some of them are:

• Maintain good hand hygiene. One can do this by washing hands with soap and cleaning them with hand sanitizers. Repeat this, especially when you cough, sneeze, or use toilets before handling any food items and after having contact with any patient infected with this virus or their personal belongings.

• Avoid direct touching of nose and mouth without washing hands.

• Whenever you are out in heavily crowded areas, wear a mask to prevent catching any virus.

• Avoid any contact with infected patients and their belongings. Use gloves and mask to help such patients.

• Maintain good hygiene habits.

• Whenever you cough or sneeze, use tissues and cover both nose and mouth. Ensure you dispose of these tissues in the trash. Wash your hands after any such activity. In case you are running out of tissues, use the upper part of your arm, and avoid using hands.

• Wash vegetables and fruits properly before eating them.

• In general, eat a healthy diet and exercise daily to keep yourself healthy. Also, have a proper sleep to enhance the immunity of the body.

• In case you are mildly sick or suffer from any symptoms mentioned above, seek expert advice and consult with the doctor. Keep yourself well hydrated and have proper rest. Do not panic in such situations and meet the doctor for the best information.

Keep Healthy! Keep Glowing!