An overview about coronavirus disease. follow the news and latest updates for better clarification.

1. Sruthi Joseph
2nd MSc Nursing
Medical Surgical
Kerala March 2020

2.  Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of
viruses that cause illness ranging from the
common cold to more severe diseases such as
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-
CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS-CoV).

3.  Is a new strain that was discovered in 2019
and has not been previously identified in
humans.
 Out break was reported in Wuhan city of
China in 2019

4.  Coronaviruses are large pleomorphic spherical
particles with bulbous surface projections.
 The diameter of the virus particles is around 120
nm. The envelope of the virus in electron
micrographs appears as a distinct pair of electron
dense shells

5. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure
Common signs of infection include
 respiratory symptoms
 fever
 cough
 shortness of breath
 breathing difficulties.
In more severe cases, infection can cause
 pneumonia,
 severe acute respiratory syndrome,
 kidney failure and even death

7.  Exact dynamics yet to be determined
Generally,
 Human to human transmission of
coronaviruses is primarily thought to occur
among close contacts via respiratory droplets
generated by sneezing and coughing

8.  Range = 1 to 14 days
 It is most commonly 5 days in one case it had
an incubation period of 27 days.

9.  Nasopharyngeal swab specimen and an
oropharyngeal swab can be collected
 Sputum should only be collected from
patients with productive cough,
 PCR – polymerase chain reaction , Genetic
fingerprint
 SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected by reverse-
transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-
PCR); in the United States, testing is
performed by the CDC or a CDC-qualified lab
. A positive test for SARS-CoV-2 confirms the
diagnosis of COVID-19.
 Chest X-ray and C T scan

10.  No specific medication
 Supportive care
 No vaccine
 Treatment and vaccine are in development

11.  Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

12.  Practice respiratory hygiene
If you have fever, cough and difficulty
breathing, seek medical care early

13.  Hand Washing technique

16.  staying at home and self-isolating (unless
directed to seek medical care)
 if you must leave your home, wear a mask or
cover your mouth and nose with tissues, and
maintain a 2-metre distance from others
 avoiding individuals in hospitals and long-
term care centres, especially older adults
and those with chronic conditions or
compromised immune systems

17.  avoiding having visitors to your home
 covering your mouth and nose with your arm
when coughing and sneezing
 having supplies delivered to your home
instead of running errands
 supplies should be dropped off outside to
ensure a 2-metre distance

18.  monitor yourself for 14 days for symptoms of
respiratory illness, such as fever, cough and
difficulty breathing
 avoid crowded places and increase your
personal space from others whenever
possible
 If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself
from others immediately and contact your
public health authority as soon as possible.

19.  avoiding non-essential gatherings
 avoiding common greetings, such as
handshakes
 avoiding crowded places such as concerts,
arenas, conferences and festivals
 limiting contact with people at higher risk
like older adults and those in poor health
 keeping a distance of at least 2 arms-length
(approximately 2 metres) from others

20.  Your health care provider may recommend
you wear a mask if you are experiencing
symptoms of COVID-19 while you are seeking
or waiting for care. In this instance, masks
are an appropriate part of infection
prevention and control measures. The mask
acts as a barrier and helps stop the tiny
droplets from spreading you when you cough
or sneeze

21.  Avoid unnecessary contact with animals.
 Thorough cooking
 Wash hands after touch with animals

22.  People are more then 60+ and have an
underlying condition like:
 Cardiovascular disease
 Respiratory disorders
 Diabetes
By avoiding crowded areas where risk for
interact with people who are sick.

23.  Be supportive
 Be careful
 Be alert
 Be informed
 Be smart

24.  For further new knowledge follow the news
and latest coronavirus updates.
 Share the latest facts and avoid hyperbole.
 Show empathy with those affected