A new pneumonia-like virus, first identified in Wuhan, China, is putting people all over the world on edge. Most of the confirmed cases are from China but the virus has since spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, Australia, and India. At this writing, over 2,000 new cases have been recorded in China over the past 24 hours, raising the worldwide total to nearly 9,800, according to World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese data. India reported the first positive case of novel coronavirus on Thursday (30 January 2020). The patient is a student at Wuhan University and is now in isolation in a hospital in Kerala.
With information about the new virus changing quickly and news reports about the illness seeming to raise the stakes, you must be wondering how worried you should be. Here’s what we know about the virus so far and what it means for you.
What is the coronavirus?
The new virus, identified by scientists as 2019-nCoV, is a coronavirus, belonging to a family of viruses, including common cold and more serious diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). It is not clear how deadly the new virus is. Although, severe cases can cause pneumonia or even death, there are cases of milder ones going undetected.
What are the common symptoms of coronavirus?
Per the CDC, people who’ve had confirmed cases of novel coronavirus usually experience the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
Symptoms can appear within two days to two weeks after an individual has been exposed, and they range from mild illness to severe cases. However, the elderly, very young, pregnant women, or people with a weak immune system may develop a more serious infection, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
How is it treated?
Scientists are continuously researching the virus. As of yet, there are no approved antivirals for the coronavirus. For patients suffering from the illness, extensive, specialized care in an intensive care unit (ICU) may be lifesaving.
Can pets at home spread the coronavirus?
There’s no evidence so far that pets are infected with the coronavirus. However, it’s a good practice to wash hands after contact with pets. This protects us against common bacteria like E.coli that can easily be transmitted from pets to humans.
Are antibiotics effective in preventing/treating the coronavirus?
No, antibiotics cannot provide protection against viruses. They can fight bacteria. The new coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics cannot offer prevention nor be used as part of treatment. However, if hospitalized, you may be given antibiotics to prevent bacterial co-infection.
I’m pregnant. Should I be concerned?
According to infectious disease specialists, during pregnancy, parts of the immune system are depressed, making you more susceptible to virus-related complications such as chickenpox and influenza. For instance, pregnant women are almost 3.5 times more likely to end up in the hospital from the flu compared to women who are not expecting, according to research published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases in June 2019. In the case of coronavirus, a pregnant woman tends to be at a higher risk of complications than a non-pregnant one.
Are there any steps parents need to take at this point?
Experts are still unclear on how exactly the virus is transmitted. But at this point, you should take steps you’d otherwise have taken to protect yourself and your children from common flu. Encourage kids to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hands should be washed before eating food, after using the washroom, after coming home from outdoors or touching something dirty like garbage. If you see someone coughing or sneezing, keep your children away from them. Respiratory secretions from coronaviruses cannot travel more than six feet. While you may see people in Wuhan wearing surgical masks outdoors, it is not mandatory to make your kid wear one right now.
Other than these, you can also undertake the following measures suggested by WHO:
- Seek medical care and share travel history with the healthcare provider if you have cough, fever, and difficulty breathing
- Avoid unprotected contact with animals and those surfaces that are in contact with animals when visiting areas experiencing cases of coronavirus
- Don’t consume raw or under-cooked animal products
- Handle milk, raw meat, or animal organs carefully
Given the pace of international travel, the number of people suffering from the originating illness is likely to increase. Wuhan has been put to virtual quarantine to prevent further spread of coronavirus. Foreign governments are advising against non-essential travel to China. Citizens are being flown out of the country at the same time. As more information about the virus becomes available, public health organizations like WHO and CDC will share insights and other valuable information worldwide.
