With the news of the fresh global crisis in the form of coronavirus arriving with our news every day, the new decade has not begun on a good note. The world is on tenterhooks, waiting for updates on the rapidly unfolding mayhem of Coronavirus and COVID-19.
But what is coronavirus? And what makes it so dangerous?
These are a few questions whose answers you must know to ensure that you are well-informed about the situation.
Further, it is also crucial that you are aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and the precautions you can take to ensure maximum safety for yourself and your family.
So, without further ado, let us delve into the details of what we know so far about coronavirus.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an umbrella term for a group of viruses that cause a range of illnesses branching from common cold to more dangerous illnesses like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
How is Coronavirus Transmitted?
Coronaviruses are usually transmitted through animal to human beings, making them zoonotic in nature. Previously, China saw an outbreak of SARS in the year 2002, which had been transmitted through civet cats and had reached epidemic levels.
However, even though the exact source of transmission for novel coronavirus is still unclear, new studies have put forth bats as likely hosts for this specific virus. (1)
How Dangerous is Coronavirus?
Now that we have learned what it is, we will answer the next obvious question of how dangerous coronavirus is.
Even though the symptoms of this disease are mostly pneumonia-like, what makes it dangerous is that it can lead to a severe acute respiratory syndrome, failure of kidneys, as well as death.
Further, since the disease is spreading alarmingly fast and has no known cure as of yet, the situation has become severely critical.
What is the Cause of Coronavirus Transmission?
As mentioned before, new studies pin bats as the most likely source of this latest outbreak of coronavirus. The virus most likely passed on from bats to human beings through an intermediary animal.
However, the rapid transmission of this disease is far more concerning that its source. The disease can spread from one infected person to a healthy person through:
- Touching a virus contaminated surface, and subsequently your mouth, nose, or eyes, without washing hands properly.
- The air, due to sneezing or coughing.
- Through faecal matter, though unlikely.
- Close physical contact with an infected person (through shaking hands or touching).
Important: Learn more about the advantages & disadvantages of Coronavirus Insurance in India
