Nowadays, our social media and electronic media are creating the hype about coronavirus outbreak around the globe. The variety of news about coronavirus is roaming everywhere that is actually creating an eccentric panic among people. Therefore, it becomes essential to educate yourself about this pandemic disease. Here we come to clear the misconceptions by presenting authentic and reviewed researches about Coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus causes contagious viral disease, i.e. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2, which is spreading speedily in various regions around the globe. Coronaviruses have many types, which have been reported and researched in previous years. However, 2021 novel coronavirus has emerged in December, 2021. WHO noticed this outbreak when they found cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. World health organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak on 30 January for creating public health emergency. From that time till now, many people get infected with SARS CoV-2.  Unfortunately, we are unable to cease this outbreak so it reached to Pakistan.

Origin of Coronavirus

SARS-CoV is the transmissible virus, which is likely originated from bats. According to recent researches, this virus has the diverse genetics that make it complex to understand. This bat borne coronavirus case first emerged in the Wuhan, city of China. Americans mostly blame Chinese government for not controlling the outbreak from the source. However, negligence of people can be the main reason. Most of the researchers claim that this virus is originated from seafood but they are just hypothesis of them.

It mostly transmits from person to person, when the infected person sneezes or coughs. The respiratory droplets of infected person actually contain the coronavirus. One infected person can pass and infect one to two people during the virus’s tenure. Therefore, doctors and specialists direct the people to follow the preventions for stopping this viral outbreak. The precautionary measures and preventions are mentioned below in this article.

Coronavirus symptoms

People usually jumble the symptoms of seasonal infection and coronavirus. We have spruced up the correct way to detect the causes and symptoms of coronavirus. If you notice the combinations of these symptoms then consult the doctor or call on helpline for assistance.

Common symptoms of coronavirus

Common symptoms may confuse you with ordinary viral infection. Therefore, history of ill person plays an important part to omit the confusion. The symptoms will appear within 2 to 14 days after infected by corona. Therefore, if you visit any affected area in last 14 days, then the symptoms might be of corona. The common symptoms are:

• Fever
• Dry Cough
• Difficulty in breathing
• Muscular pain
• Tiredness
• Flu like feeling

Serious symptoms for immediate medical attention

In serious cases, severe symptoms may appear in suspect. On the onset of these symptoms, urgent medical attention is needed. These symptoms mostly show on aged or already sick people.

• Severe Pneumonia
• Persistent pain and pressure on heart
• Inability to arouse
• Acute respiratory distress
• Sepsis and septic shock
• Kidney fail
• Bluish skin and lips

Coronavirus outbreak in Pakistan

Coronavirus has aroused from the Wuhan, but it is now reached to many countries around the globe, such as Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam, etc. Unfortunately, we could not stop Coronavirus to enter Pakistan. Even after all the efforts and preventions, twenty one cases have been reported in Pakistan till yet. Most of them come from Iran in last 14 days. Karachi becomes prime coronavirus affected city of Pakistan, as the first case was found at there. In Karachi, coronavirus cases have reached to 14. Fourteen of them are confirmed cases. Five more coronavirus cases have been reported in Gilgit Baltistan. One case has been reported each in Quetta and Hyderabad. This outbreak is spreading day by day so we need to control and manage it by following the directed preventive measures.

Coronavirus Helpline in Pakistan

Pakistan is ready to protect their people from Corona virus. The ministry of health in Pakistan has started the special helpline service, through which anyone can ask any concern about this matter. The coronavirus outbreak helpline number in Pakistan is 1166. If anyone finds the coronavirus symptoms, then he can direct contact on this helpline number for quick assistance. This helpline is set up for reducing the panic and clearing the misconceptions regarding coronavirus system among people.

Coronavirus Diagnosis in Pakistan

Coronavirus cause the pneumonia like disease, as it directly affects respiratory tract. People mostly become conscious on simple seasonal infection or viral flu. Therefore, doctors have made special diagnosis pattern for finding the actual suspect of coronavirus. The foremost step is finding the common symptoms, i.e. fever, dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, shortness of breath, and malaise. If combinations of these symptoms are found it any patient, then doctor becomes alert. Then they take the history of patient, such as does he travel from affected locations in 14 days before the onset of sickness? The affected locations are China, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam etc.? Does he visit any suspect of coronavirus? Does he meet any person who comes from affected location? In Pakistan, coronavirus cases are found in people who come from Iran or China.

After finding the suspected coronavirus case, doctors do the special laboratory tests for SARS COV 2 or Noval Coronavirus 2021. For the laboratory test, cells from back of the nose are required.  The test of patient’s flu is also done as preliminary test. The SARS COV 2 test is initiated with the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to replicate the DNA to use in quantitative PCR instrument. It takes around 24 to 72 hours for accurate result. The highly suspected patients only go through this diagnosis. Every patient does not need to go through this lengthy diagnosis. During coronavirus testing and diagnosis, patients need to be in isolation to reduce the virus spreading. If the coronavirus test appears positive, then the patient needs to be in incubation and isolation for at least 14 days.

In Pakistan, many authorized laboratories are doing coronavirus tests. Till yet, Agha khan university hospital in Karachi is efficiently doing the extensive test for coronavirus diagnosis. However, private laboratories can do the preliminary test for conona diagnonis in any suspect.

Coronavirus Preventions

• Frequently wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Washing hands should be done after every 30 minutes for ensuring the hands cleanliness.
• If you are travelling, then you should use the alcohol based hand sanitizer for keeping the hands clean
• Wear surgical masks for preventing inhaling the virus. There is no need to use N95 mask until you are infected with corona. The size of coronavirus is large so it will not go through the original surgical face masks.
• Avoid eating ice cream, cold drinks, or any cold food, because the cold temperature is the ideal condition for corona to grow and flourish.
• Keep your body warm and active.
• Drink plenty of water to boost the body metabolism.
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper while sneezing or coughing and throw the used tissue paper in dustbin. If you do not have tissue on hand then you can sneeze into your elbow rather than your hand.
• Do not touch your face, eyes, and nose with your unwashed hands.
• Clean your surroundings, such as work table, dining table, bed, kitchen, etc.
• Regularly change and wash for clothes for getting rid of corona, if it presents on them
• Take shower with warm water, as it disinfects your body and kill the corona virus, if it presents on your body.
• If you recently come from an affected area, then stay in your home for at least two weeks.
• If you find any corona symptoms, then take doctor consultation on phone. Do not leave home without doctors’ advice.
• Avoid being in crowded place
• Avoid shaking hand or hugging to greet anyone, as it may transmit the germ from one person to other.
• Do not touch animals because they may carry the viruses on their skin.
• Eat healthy food, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, milk, etc. If you are eating any poultry food or meat, then ensure that it is well cooked.
• Frequently do ablution to keep your nose, mouth and ear clean. If you are going to mosque, then prefer to do ablution at your home rather than at mosque
• Do not wipe your hands with towel, which is used by someone else too.

Coronavirus updates about cases:

Coronavirus starts from china and now it covers almost the entire globe. This extensive outbreak of coronavirus is showing our incompetence in health sector. However, we are working on it to make our environment safe for humans. During this tenure of coronavirus outbreak, we learn about teamwork, unity, kindness, and sympathy. According to the recent coronavirus updates, many people have recovered. The recent updates show that about 134,530 people have been infected by the coronavirus across the world and only 4,970 have died. This ratio shows that corona has only 2% fatality rate, so one should not panic on the name of Coronavirus. It is true that scientists are failed to make the coronavirus vaccine till yet but our immunity can beat the coronavirus. According to NHC, 64,111 patients out of 80,813 cases have been recovered in China. These statistics will surely give the hope of life and health.

FAQs about Coronavirus

How does coronavirus cause death?

Coronavirus affects respiratory tract and starts severe pneumonia. The one of the prime cause of death is kidney failure. However, mostly aged and already sick people die from this disease. It shows that strong immunity can combat the corona.

How does Corona spread?

Coronavirus can spread from infected person to healthy person. When an infected person sneezes, coughs or exhales, they give off respiratory droplets. These respiratory droplets contains corona, which can easily transmit to surrounding people. Therefore, it is recommended to wear mask and make the distance from people having any sort of flu or cough.

Who has at higher risk of corona?

 According to the statistics, elder people or aged people are at the higher risk because they have weak immune system as compare to young people. People with underlying health conditions, such as heart problem, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, etc., will affect more severely than healthy person.

Does typical surgical mask protect you from coronavirus?

Yes, coronavirus cannot pass through the surgical mask because corona is relatively bigger than the pore. However, if you are infected person, then you should wear medicated mask N95 for protection others. The medical staffs, who are dealing with Corona infected patients, should also wear N95 mask for maximum protection.

What is the coronavirus treatment?

There is no treatment or cure designed till yet for combating coronavirus. Researchers are working to make vaccine for coronavirus but it is not made yet. It is untreatable but patient can recover from corona. The key factor is healthy body and strong immunity. If you have strong immune system, then you will recover without any medication or treatment.

How long it take to recover from Coronavirus?

It is unpredictable that if you recover from corona or not. If you come recently from affected location then stay at your home for at least 14 days. The patient with corona needs to be in incubation for at least 14 days to boost the recovery rate.