COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
The spikes present on the spherical virus helps the virus to bind to the cellular receptors present on the skin and helps it enter inside the body.
 Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum production, and sore throat are less common symptoms. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to pneumonia and multi-organ failure.
 Loss of smell (anosmia) and loss of taste (ageusia) have been added to the list of coronavirus symptoms by the Union Health Ministry of India.
The infection is spread from one person to others via respiratory droplets, often produced during coughing and sneezing. Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally between 2 and 14 days, with an average of 5 days.
 Those infected with the virus may either be asymptomatic or develop flu-like symptoms that include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Diarrhea and upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, or sore throat are less common.
Cases can progress to pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and death in the most vulnerable. The virus spreads itself during the incubation period meaning it can spread to other people without showing symptoms to an infected person.
The WHO declared it a pandemic on 11 March 2020. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, there are very distinct differences between an outbreak, epidemic, and pandemic.
The CDC explains that an outbreak is an increase in cases of a disease above what’s normally expected in a certain area. The increase is often sudden. An epidemic is much like an outbreak, but for people within a larger region. The two terms differ only in degree.
A pandemic is an epidemic that’s spread over several countries or continents and affects a large percent of the population. It’s important to note that this isn’t used to indicate the severity of a disease, only the degree to which it’s spreading.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Call in advance.
• Follow the directions of your local health authority