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(By Adrian Arevalo and fixed/formatted by Rodrigo J. Gramajo)
What's a coronavirus?
What's a coronavirus?
A coronavirus, or coronaviridae is a family of enveloped, single stranded RNA viruses. Some examples of human coronaviridae could be: SARS, Ronivirus, Arterivirus, Torovirus, Bafinivirus.
A coronavirus, or coronaviridae is a family of enveloped, single stranded RNA viruses. Some examples of human coronaviridae could be: SARS, Ronivirus, Arterivirus, Torovirus, Bafinivirus.
Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. There are four main sub-groupings of coronaviruses, known as alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.
Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. There are four main sub-groupings of coronaviruses, known as alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.
What are the characteristics of the COVID-19?
What are the characteristics of the COVID-19?
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, will start with an exponential growth in different epithelial cell (respiratory) infections, thus, causing the infected body to be unable to taste or even smell. Then, due to this sudden surge of uncommon problems, the infected cells will trigger the production of antibodies, or inflammatory mediators, which will finally lead to the symptoms of a common flu; a.k.a mucus, repentinal coughs and inflammations in certain zones of the body's respiratory system. However, in some patients (usually old or unhealthy), other effects such as tuberculosis and high fever might be stimulated due to the reactions of the body.
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, will start with an exponential growth in different epithelial cell (respiratory) infections, thus, causing the infected body to be unable to taste or even smell. Then, due to this sudden surge of uncommon problems, the infected cells will trigger the production of antibodies, or inflammatory mediators, which will finally lead to the symptoms of a common flu; a.k.a mucus, repentinal coughs and inflammations in certain zones of the body's respiratory system. However, in some patients (usually old or unhealthy), other effects such as tuberculosis and high fever might be stimulated due to the reactions of the body.
Why is it difficult to prevent or attack these type of viruses (with vaccines or medical treatment)?
Why is it difficult to prevent or attack these type of viruses (with vaccines or medical treatment)?
First of all, coronaviruses will always mutate very quickly due to the fact they are made of ribonucleic acids (RNA), which tend to have higher mutation rates than DNA viruses. Subsequently, they attack cells and complete sequences to develop more of themselves at an exponential rate. Finally, this results in having difficulties developing vaccines, as they become very obsolete after the virus quickly mutates again and again, because of its RNA strand constantly changing.
First of all, coronaviruses will always mutate very quickly due to the fact they are made of ribonucleic acids (RNA), which tend to have higher mutation rates than DNA viruses. Subsequently, they attack cells and complete sequences to develop more of themselves at an exponential rate. Finally, this results in having difficulties developing vaccines, as they become very obsolete after the virus quickly mutates again and again, because of its RNA strand constantly changing.
Here is an example:
Here is an example:
As you can see, in the last box of information, vaccines are usually created before the flu season starts. However, this wasn't the case for the COVID-19 due to its sudden appearance (there was no warning nor any time to develop a functional vaccine).
What is the difference between an epidemic, endemic & a pandemic?
What is the difference between an epidemic, endemic & a pandemic?
Epidemic
Epidemic
An epidemic is when an "outbreak of a disease" occurs over a wide geographic area, such as a community, population, or region.
An epidemic is when an "outbreak of a disease" occurs over a wide geographic area, such as a community, population, or region.
- This is usually used to describe a problem that grew out of control.
- The disease is actively spreading through the given region.
Endemic
Endemic
An endemic disease is a disease that is always present in a certain population or region. It is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a geographic area without external inputs.
An endemic disease is a disease that is always present in a certain population or region. It is constantly maintained at a baseline level in a geographic area without external inputs.
Pandemic
Pandemic
A pandemic relates to geographic spread and is used to describe a disease epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents.
A pandemic relates to geographic spread and is used to describe a disease epidemic that’s spread over multiple countries or continents.
- Affects the entire world or an entire country.
- Example: COVID-19
Important information about the COVID-19:
Important information about the COVID-19:
What is the recovery time for the novel coronavirus?
What is the recovery time for the novel coronavirus?
Usually, the time from clinical recovery for mild cases is approximately 2 weeks and is 3-6 weeks for patients with severe or critical disease.
Usually, the time from clinical recovery for mild cases is approximately 2 weeks and is 3-6 weeks for patients with severe or critical disease.
Who's at most risk from the novel coronavirus?
Who's at most risk from the novel coronavirus?
Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Is there a vaccine to the COVID-19?
Is there a vaccine to the COVID-19?
Under WHO's coordination, a group of experts with diverse backgrounds is working towards the development of vaccines against COVID-19. For now, a possible vaccine candidate is still in pre-clinical development.
Under WHO's coordination, a group of experts with diverse backgrounds is working towards the development of vaccines against COVID-19. For now, a possible vaccine candidate is still in pre-clinical development.
Is the COVID-19 the same thing as SARS?
Is the COVID-19 the same thing as SARS?
COVID-19 is neither SARS nor influenza. It is a new virus with its own characteristics. For example, COVID-19 transmission in children appears to be limited compared to influenza, while the clinical picture differs from SARS. Plus, it can interrupt chains of human-to human transmission via infections. The COVID-19 virus is unique among human coronaviruses in its combination of high transmissibility, substantial fatal outcomes in some high risk groups, and an unexpected ability to cause huge societal and economic disruption.
COVID-19 is neither SARS nor influenza. It is a new virus with its own characteristics. For example, COVID-19 transmission in children appears to be limited compared to influenza, while the clinical picture differs from SARS. Plus, it can interrupt chains of human-to human transmission via infections. The COVID-19 virus is unique among human coronaviruses in its combination of high transmissibility, substantial fatal outcomes in some high risk groups, and an unexpected ability to cause huge societal and economic disruption.
Sources:
Sources:
And the ones you see in the COVID-19 section above sources:
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