The recent China Coronavirus infection epidemic, which originated in the Chinese province of Hubei, is quickly engulfing neighboring nations like Thailand and Japan. The primary cause of respiratory tract infections is the China virus, which is a member of the coronavirus family.
The MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) and the SARS virus are two more prominent strains of the same family of viruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
Because of its distinctive crown-like appearance under an electron microscope, the coronavirus earned its name. Infections are primarily seen in the winter season, however, studies have shown that they may occur at any time of the year.
How does a person get infected with China Coronavirus?
It may spread via direct contact with secretions or droplets of an infected person. SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) may also spread via animal contact.
The transmission of the novel china coronavirus infection is not completely understood. However, association with the seafood market has been identified where live rabbits, snakes, and other animals were sold.
The seafood market has been closed for disinfection. One study found animals as the main reservoir of SARS coronavirus in Southern China [Ref] The MERS-CoV (MERS coronavirus) has been cultured from environmental samples, including bed sheets, an intravenous fluid hanger, bed rails, and a radiography device. MERS-CoV appears to mostly infect dromedary camels. Additionally, coronaviruses have been found in bat rectal swabs.
What are the symptoms and signs of China Coronavirus infection?
Patients who have been diagnosed with the novel china coronavirus infection have a fever, body aches, and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiographs. Upper respiratory tract symptoms are rare in patients with the novel China Coronavirus infection.
Details of the clinical manifestations caused by the novel China Coronavirus have not been clinically elucidated in detail. A recent study has published details of symptoms of Coronavirus infections.
Most patients had shortness of breath, a cough, and a fever. Up to one-third of all adult and pediatric community-acquired upper respiratory tract infections are brought on by coronaviruses.
Individuals who get infected develop symptoms of fever, chills, myalgias, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, stuffy nose, headache, sneezing, and fever. It has been found in middle ear infections too.
Deaths reported from China Coronavirus infection mostly occur as a result of respiratory failure!
Severe respiratory manifestation, when growing in patients who have China coronavirus infection may be rapidly fatal. Chest pain, wheezing, suffocation, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and a persistent cough are examples of severe symptoms.
Most patients who develop respiratory symptoms may go into a state of respiratory failure and become hypoxemic. When respiratory muscle fatigue is evident or oxygen in the blood drops, the patient may require ventilatory support and intensive care.
Other system involvement in Coronavirus infections:
Other systemic manifestations of the infection may include drowsiness, seizures, headache, and coma as a result of the virus infecting the brain. Patients may develop abdominal pain, altered taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal bleeding.
Acute Renal failure has been documented especially when the patients develop multisystemic involvement. Individuals may become oliguric (the urine volume drops) and develop flank pain.
Non-specific laboratory investigations may include lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes, azotemia, and raised cardiac markers. Radiographs of the chest may be completely normal. Some patients may develop diffuse patchy pulmonary infiltrates mild pleural effusions and ground-glass opacities.
Is there any treatment for Coronavirus infections?
Treatment is usually supportive. Chloroquine, ribavirin, and interferon-alpha 2b have been found in animal studies to be effective compared to placebo. Chloroquine is a drug primarily used to treat malaria. It is also used in patients with amebiasis and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Chloroquine has been used in studies of SARS virus infection and may be used as a prophylactic and therapeutic intervention in SARS and other coronavirus infections as in the recent epidemic of China Virus infection [Ref].
In the recent epidemic in China, physicians tried Oseltamivir in patients admitted with Coronavirus infections. However, the drug was not found to be effective.
How to avoid getting China Coronavirus infection?
The most important preventive measures are:
- Hand washing
- Careful disposal of the infected materials and nasal and pulmonary secretions
- Avoiding direct contact with secretions of the infected persons
- Wearing protective masks
- Restricting mobility and traveling in crowded buses and public transport.
Is there any vaccine for China Coronavirus?
Vaccine for the prevention of infection has not been developed against coronaviruses despite efforts because the virus continuously changes its genetic composition. Antimalarial drugs (Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine) may prevent its complications.
