INFORMATION ON CORONOVIRUS 2019-nCoV

INFORMATION ON CORONOVIRUS 2019-nCoV

The epidemic virus pneumonia of an unknown etiology occurred in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019. On the 7^th of January in 2020 the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was discovered.

Coronaviruses are found in many animals. In humans, these viruses cause typical cold and more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome.

In humans, the new virus has never been identified. Coronaviruses are usually transmitted from animals to humans. However, nowadays it is evident that the virus is transmitted from human to human. The source of the infection is unknown. Coronaviruses survive up to 3 hours in the environment on dry surfaces. In water, they survive within a few days. Hospital-acquired way of acquiring the infection is not excluded.

Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Coughing
3. Shortness of breath

In severe cases, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death occur. Together with and instead of typical symptoms of viral respiratory infections, atypical symptoms of the human digestive system, nervous system, and cardiovascular system location occur; and conjunctivitis too.

Prophylaxis

Currently, a vaccine against the virus doesn’t exist.

The typical prophylaxis includes:

1. Washing hands with soap no less than 20 seconds.
2. Do not touch face with dirty (unwashed) hands.
3. Do not engage in contact with ill people.
4. When coughing or sneezing, cover mouth with a napkin then throw it away.
5. Clean and disinfect surfaces.