Coronaviruses are killer viruses that typically affect the respiratory tract of mammals, including humans. It causes the common cold, pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and can also affect the gut. Viruses are responsible for between 15 and 30 percent of common colds.
This has also left several dead and thousands infected. The coronavirus first emerged in the city of Wuhan last month. Since then, this has been observed in different parts of China as well as Japan, Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines.
Everyone should be well aware of the symptoms to halt the suffering from the deadly virus. Here are some breakdowns of how the infection progresses in the body.
How do the symptoms of coronavirus progress?
The new strains belong to a larger family of the virus and cause diseases ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndrome. If you are infected with a virus, fever, colds and shortness of breath will be the first symptoms. In more severe cases, the infection can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
How the virus spread?
Being an airborne virus, coronavirus can spread like cold and flu. The virus then affects the respiratory system, causing lung disease. However, health officials believe the virus has mutated and can be transmitted from person to person.
How you will know coronavirus has infected
New coronaviruses can spread to the lower respiratory tract and cause pneumonia. People with weakened immune systems or the elderly are more susceptible to the virus.
Prevent Infection
The WHO advises covering mouth while coughing and sneezing as well as washing hands on a regular basis. Avoiding close contact with anyone with symptoms of respiratory illnesses like coughing and sneezing is also a warning to people.
There is no vaccine for coronavirus yet.
