Since the initial outbreak of coronavirus hit headlines across the world, discussions around symptoms, recovery rates and containment are going on daily.
Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) identified Europe as the centre of the outbreak and declared Covid-19 as a pandemic. This led to cities, and even countries, across Europe going into total lockdown to stop the spread of this infectious disease.
Can you have no symptoms of coronavirus?
It is likely that the Covid-19 strain of coronavirus can infect you before you experience symptoms. After you are infected with the common flu virus, you will often see symptoms one or two days after. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms from Covid-19 can develop anywhere between two and 14 days after contracting the virus.
You can still infect other people while displaying no symptoms. Provided your immune system is strong, your body can potentially fight off the virus without even feeling unwell.
But, if you are elderly, or are immunocompromised – perhaps due to illness or medicines such as chemotherapy – then your body will not be ready to fight the virus, and you will become critically ill.
Symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.
How does Covid-19 infect others?
Coronaviruses are predominantly respiratory diseases that primarily affect the lungs. This means that coughing particles of the virus into the air can transmit the disease to another person. If you get it on your hands, you may touch a surface that can become infected and pass on the virus to someone who touches it after.
But Covid-19 does not absorb into your skin. It has to go via a mucus-membrane which is likely to be your eyes, nose, or mouth. That’s how the virus gets into your system. Calling it “airborne” is confusing because that means many things to different scientists.
Currently, it is believed that someone with Covid-19 will infect roughly two other people – but many may not know they are infected.
The NHS has launched an online guide to assist you with what to do if you think you might have caught Covid-19.
Coronavirus: the facts
What is coronavirus?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus.
What caused coronavirus?
The outbreak started in Wuhan in China in December 2019 and it is thought that the virus, like others of its kind, has come from animals.
How is it spread?
As this is such a new illness, experts still arenāt sure how it is spread. But.similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. Therefore covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and disposing of used tissues straight away is advised. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.
What are the symptoms?
The NHS states that the symptoms are: a dry cough, high temperature and shortness of breath – but these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. Look out for flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose and a sore throat. Itās important to remember that some people may become infected but wonāt develop any symptoms or feel unwell.
Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS
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