COVID-19 is a new disease due to a new or novel CORONA virus which is highly infectious, originated at China in Nov 2019 and imported by more than 205 countries including India. At present we don’t have definite specific treatment and vaccine for it. Literally only vaccine & antidotes are- intensive and strict- Social distancing & personal hygiene along with Quarantine and Isolation of the persons having history of foreign travel and or contact with such a case.
It is a disease of the airways and lungs. It starts as upper respiratory tract infection and subsequently goes down causing lower respiratory tract infection causing serious complications like Pnemonia and multi organ failure. Usually it spreads through droplet infection while coughing and by settled viruses (fomite) on various surfaces. Few studies also indicates about feco-oral transmission which is not well established. As per the recent worldwide studies and pooled data it is found that elderly persons and persons having comorbidities like COPD, Cardio vascular diseases, Diabetes, Hypertension, cancer and many other condition where the general immunity and the local immunity of airways and lungs is reduced, are more prone for this infection and severity. The incubation period- that is the time between getting infection and showing the signs and symptoms is 0-14 days with a median of 5-6 days. In about 80% cases the persons are asymptomatic or having a minor symptoms like normal flu i.e dry cough, running nose, mild fever with body ache etc. and they don’t need any specific treatment or hospitalization. If required paracitamol and antihistamine can be given. In rest 20% cases it becomes severe with increased cough, very high fever, severe breathlessness, chest pain, other signs of pneumonia and they need hospitalistion and with presumptive treatment majority of patients come out. Among these 20% about 5% cases become critically ill with Multi organ failure needing ICU and Ventilators and maximum death occurs in this group. The mortality rate is lower in younger age group among COVID 19 case. At one end no death from 0-9 yrs to around 15% in 80 yrs or above. As on today mortality is more than 5 % in the world with an infection in 9 lakhs cases where as in India it is about 3% with infection in about 2013 cases. Recent study shows that smokers are 14 fold more prone for severe progressive disease and death. Whole world is working for the specific drug and vaccine against this disease.
To summarize-it is a highly infectious disease which spreads from man to man through droplets during coughing within a range of 6 feet and by contact with fomites. Safe distance, frequent hand washing, maintenance of good hygiene, avoidance of social gathering and home stay will save all of us. Total lock down is the best policy. Don’t be panic if you are having mild symptoms & have no history of travel and or contact with a COVID 19 patient. But if you are having severe symptoms as mentioned, do visit a recognized center for further evaluation.
At this juncture with patience & courage we will have to fight against this deadly disease basing on only scientific evidences and obeying strictly the rules of the land. Social Distancing, Repeated hand washing with personal hygiene, Quarantine and Isolation are the magic wand. At last, I appeal all of you – to stay at home – stay safe.
Prof. Dr. Narayan Mishra
MD, FIAB, FNCCP, FICS,FIAMS, FIRD;FICAAI,FRCP(Glasgo) FCCP (USA)
Former Prof & HOD Pulmonary Medicine. Former National President of Indian Chest Society & National College of Chest Physicians of India.
