Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

All rights reserved with siahmsr digital healthcare[siahmsr wellness]

Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

  Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is commonly a mild to moderate respiratory illness with fever, cough, body pain and difficulty in breathing in some people. However, severity of Covid varies and has caused mortality in populations worldwide, particularly in those groups who were having serious other chronic diseases or immune compromised state. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious complications of Covid.

     Covid 19 is a droplet infection. That means the viruses spread to another person from an infected person when he or she breathes out droplets that contain the virus. Other people can breathe in these droplets and particles, or these droplets and particles can land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. In addition to this, these droplets may contaminate surfaces they touch and may spread to another person.

  COVID-19 virus most often causes respiratory symptoms that may resemble a cold, the flu, or pneumonia.COVID-19 often attacks lungs and respiratory system although this infection affects the whole body with various other symptoms. The intensity of symptoms also varies among people depending on their individual factors such as age, immunity level, other comorbidities or diseases. The manifestation and intensity of symptoms also vary depending on the variants of virus attacking humans. Currently most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but still a few variants of Covid cause fatal outcomes or death in people with serious illnesses and compromised immunity. Some people including those with minor or no symptoms will develop Post-COVID Conditions or long Covid.

  The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols.

  It is usual for viruses to change and evolve as they spread between people over time. When these changes become significantly different to a previously detected virus, these new virus types are known as “variants.” To identify variants, scientists map the genetic material of viruses (known as sequencing) and then look for differences between them to see if they have changed. Since 2020, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been spreading and changing globally. These changes have led to the detection of variants in many countries around the world.

Immunity plays a key role in Covid outcome. Covid variants or strains differ in their symptoms also; disease manifestations occur ranging from mild to severe.

Adequate dietary nutrient intake has significant impact on the immune system, and one of the best sustainable ways to strengthen the immune system. Covid vaccinations are recommended by world health organization [WHO] and are being distributed globally to reduce the impact of the pandemic.

·       Practice respiratory etiquette - covering coughs and sneezes

·       Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer

·       Stay up to date with vaccinations, including additional doses

·       Stay home if you are sick

·       Get tested if you have symptoms or you’ve been exposed to SARS-CoV-2

·       Eat healthy well balanced nourishing diet

·       Ensure that you drink adequate amount of water.

Reference 

1.    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-%28covid-19%29-variants-of-sars-cov-2?gclid=CjwKCAiAyp-sBhBSEiwAWWzTnllCxF0tOSwQSFfzHnzjRNT_KeP5AMnjAYbaT6YdPa-A1sJVYvfoeRoCpnYQAvD_BwE