The COVID-19 epidemic is continuously spreading and showing no signs of slowing down. This outbreak has shaken the global health system and economy by its roots. In India also the both first wave and second wave of coronavirus have struck the unprepared medical system and lack of awareness by causing a massive death toll and a continuous economic loss.
What is Coronavirus?
According to WHO Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a family of viruses that cause respiratory and intestinal illnesses in humans and animals. They usually cause mild colds in people but the emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in China in 2002–2003 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on the Arabian Peninsula in 2012 show they can also cause severe disease. Since December 2019, the world has been battling another coronavirus. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first identified in Wuhan, China, following reports of serious pneumonia.
Prevention:
WHO clearly states many ways to prevent from the infectious disease which are
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain at least a 1-meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you feel unwell. 6. Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
Symptoms:
This disease has a different effect on people of different ages. Generally, many people suffering from Covid do not even need hospitalization. People suffering from Covid have a variety of symptoms from common symptoms to mild and severe symptoms.
- Common symptoms include Fever, Dry throat, and tiredness.
- Less common symptoms include aches and pains, sore Throat., Diarrhoea. Conjunctivitis, Headache, Loss of taste or smell, A rash on the skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes.
- Serious symptoms include Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, Loss of speech or movement.
Now a vaccine is the only hope to save ourselves from this deadly pandemic. Vaccination could be the only effective and economical means to control or stop this pandemic. Many research institutions and pharmaceutical companies worldwide are currently involved in the development of a suitable coronavirus vaccine. Many Indian institutes and companies are also working day and night to make the best choice of vaccine for India and its allies.
Following are the vaccine which is already rolled out or are under trial in India.
- Covishield
- Covaxin
- ZyCoV-D(Undertrial)
Recently Sputnik-V vaccine of Russia is also introduced in India that fight off the shortage of vaccines in India.