How Does COVID-19 Affect the Body?
COVID-19 is the virus that has shaken a large part of the planet over the last few weeks. The infection this virus causes has now become a pandemic and is infecting a tremendous number of people, especially in China and Europe. However, there are still many people that are unaware of the effects that this virus produces in the human organism. Therefore, today we’ll answer the following question: How does COVID-19 affect the body?
Coronavirus belongs to a family of different viruses that can cause different medical conditions. Specifically, COVID-19 is a virus of animal origin that formed as the result of a mutation of the virus. It was first detected in Wuhan, a city in China, in December 2019.
This new strain had never been found in human beings before. The biggest problem with this infection is that its capacity to spread is very high. What’s more, the mortality rate among the elderly and those with a weakened immune system is above 15%.
So, what are the symptoms of coronavirus? How does COVID-19 affect the body? We’ll answer these questions in the article below.
How does COVID-19 affect the body?
COVID-19 is a virus that can cause a variety of conditions. In most cases of infection–nearly 80%–, people only experience mild symptoms. They appear gradually and usually don’t lead to complications. These symptoms are:
- Fever: Usually around 100.4º F
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Nasal congestion
- Fatigue and overall muscle pain
However, any person can develop a more serious case of infection. And this is especially true when it comes to the elderly and those with a weakened immune system. In these cases, people experience difficulty breathing and the infection may lead to respiratory failure.
The at-risk population also includes those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiac problems. The symptoms appear, on average, about 5 days after catching the virus. However, the incubation period of COVID-19 can last up to 14 days. In other words, 14 days can go by between a person’s coming into contact with the virus and the development of symptoms.
You may also want to read: Coronavirus: How to Clean Your Cellphone
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 spreads mainly through the drops that come from our respiratory tract. These are tiny drops that we expel when we cough or sneeze. Therefore, experts say the virus spreads from person to person, especially in places where there are large groups of people and crowding.
The virus can travel distances of between 3 to 6.5 feet, which is the safe distance that we should maintain between ourselves and others. However, it appears this isn’t the only means of transmission.
According to scientific reports, these tiny drops can also contaminate objects and surfaces. This means that a healthy person can become infected by coming into contact with a contaminated object.
What’s more, it’s important to point out that children are a key group in this pandemic. But it isn’t due to their immune systems. Rather, it’s due to their tendency to touch everything in sight and to put objects and their hands in their mouths. Therefore, we need to be especially careful with children, as they can easily become carriers and spread COVID-19 to others.
Discover more: Three Alternative Disinfectant Gels for Coronavirus
How to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we must first respect the norms that our country or state is imposing. In many countries, it’s crucial for citizens to remain confined in their homes for a period of time. The governments have ordered people to only leave their homes if absolutely necessary.
What’s more, it’s important for everyone to wash their hands frequently. Using soap and water will suffice, although you can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. In the same way, we must clean objects and surfaces that may have become contaminated.
What’s more, those who have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus should wear a mask. In the same way, when sneezing or coughing, it’s best to cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue and then throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, then use the inside of your elbow.
We can’t lose sight of the fact that we’re dealing with a pandemic. We must all do our part to make sure the problem is solved as soon as possible. If you have symptoms, try to contact emergency services and stay away from others.
