Joseph R. Anticaglia MD
Medical Advisory Board
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities announced the discovery of a new coronavirus that has subsequently infected thousands of people worldwide, but primarily in China. The strain of this novel (new) coronavirus, also referred to as (2019-nCov), has never been previously found in humans.
What You Need to Know?
1) How does the 2019-nCov spread?
It’s thought that this coronavirus was initially transmitted to shoppers at a seafood and live animal market in Wuhan, China. Many residents of the city complained of mild flu like symptoms. Weeks later, people with no connection to the Wuhan market contracted the disease. This suggests that the virus went from animal-to human and thereafter, it spread from human-to-human. A short time later, there was confirmation of the human-to-human connection of 2019-nCov.
Coronaviruses, according to the World Health Organization, have a history of spreading from animals-to-humans. For instance, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was thought to have been transmitted from civet cat to humans and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) from a certain type of camel to humans.
From December 2019, when the first reports of 2019-nCov were announced to February 2nd, 2020, the number of infections has risen to over 17,300 cases with at least 361 deaths in China. Also, the disease has spread to 20 other countries. The majority of cases have been in the elderly and in persons with underlying health conditions.
2) Coronaviruses
The name coronavirus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the image of the virus is reminiscent of a solar corona.
Coronaviruses are a group of infectious agents with similarities to other viruses. They need living cells to multiply and replicate. The viruses consist of a nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. They’re extremely small in diameter and they cannot be visualized by using a light microscope. An electron microscope, as the one use in the above figures, is utilized to detect their histologic features.
The 2019-nCov virus belongs to a family of respiratory viruses such as the common cold, SARS and MERS. The virus spreads to people when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. This action disperses droplets of the disease contained in the mucus or saliva into the air.
People become infected either when they’re in direct contact with droplets of infected individuals or by touching the surface where droplets land and then your nose or face. It’s unknown how long this virus can survive on the surface nor is it known precisely what the incubation period is (1-14 days?).
Since it’s a new viral strain, there is no natural immunity and presently no vaccine is available. The complete clinical picture is a work in progress at this time.
3) Symptoms
It appears that 2019nCov is more likely to be a mild, flu-like sickness rather than a severe illness, particularly when compared to SARS. The clinical findings among hospitalized Chinese patient include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Myalgia
- Fatigue
- Bilateral pneumonia
- Shortness of breath
What to Do?
1) How to Protect Yourself from Infection
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
- “Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.”
- N95 masks
If you were to purchase face masks, consider buying N95 masks. They are the ones used by health care workers to protect themselves against viruses, bacteria and other harmful agents. If you’re travelling, think about using disposable gloves to reduce the likelihood of coming in contact with the coronavirus. Also, stay healthy — eat nutritiously and exercise regularly.
2) Treatment
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for people who have been exposed to the novel coronavirus. Rest, adequate fluid intake and medication to relieve aches and pain are general measures advised for this condition. Antibiotics don’t work against this or other viruses. If you suspect you’ve been infected with the coronavirus, contact your health care provider. As noted, there is no vaccine available at this time to protect oneself against this 2019-nCov. And such a vaccine will not be available until the early part of 2021 or later.
2A) When to Seek Medical Treatment?
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care immediately. Speak with your doctor, if he’s available, to get his advice. But don’t delay in seeking medical care, including going to the Emergency Department of your hospital.
Alarming Headlines!
- World Health Organization (WHO) Declares a Public Health Global Emergency
- Coronavirus spreads across Asia, Europe, to the Middle East, Australia and the U. S.
- China’s leader, Xi Jinping, warns of “accelerating spread” of the coronavirus
- Travel within China severely restricted
- U. S. State Department: “Don’t travel to China”
- Airline flights into China markedly curtailed
- Airports establish quarantine precautions on people arriving from China
- Cruise ship quarantines 3,700 passengers after 10 aboard test positive for new coronavirus
- WHO says outbreak is a: “very grave threat”
Should you panic concerning the coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China? The World Health Organization issued a global emergency warning on January 30, 2020 because of its concern that 2019-nCov would spread to other countries, particularly those with “with weaker health systems, and which are ill-prepared to deal with it.”
But what danger does 2019-nCov presently pose to western industrialized countries and other nations with strong healthcare systems?
There has been, as of February 10, 2020, 13 confirmed cases of 2019-nCov in the U. S. with no deaths reported. Unquestionably, the clinical picture is incomplete, statistics about this virus is changing at a rapid rate and it warrants our deep concern.
To put the coronavirus outbreak in perspective, it might be useful to compare the present outbreak to the 2018-2019 influenza season in the United States.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there were approximately 34,200 deaths due to influenza in the United States. About 35.5 million Americans got sick with the flu causing more than 16.5 million medical visits and 490,600 hospitalizations.
During the current flu season in the U. S. (2019-2020), the CDC has reported, thus far, millions of flu illnesses and thousands of deaths.
In spite of the response of the Chinese scientists and authorities, as well as the international medical community, the 2019-nCov is soaring among Chinese citizens and streaking across national borders.
As of February 10, 2020, the total number of 2019-nCov confirmed cases infected more than 42,000 people and the total deaths of at least 1,000 individuals. The vast majority of cases are within China.
The takeaway: viruses can be ‘lethal’ and we need to recognize, understand and take preventive measures to keep droplets “far away from us.”
References
- CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention; 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Situation Summary; Updated January 31, 2020
- CDC; Influenza (Flu); Estimated Illnesses, Medical visits, Hospitalizations and Deaths in the United States, 2018-2019 influenza season
- CDC; Influenza (Flu); Preliminary in-Season 2019-2929 Burden Estimates; October 1, 2019 through January 25, 2020
- World Health Organization; W. H. O. Declares new coronavirus a global public health emergency; January 30, 2020.
- CDC; CDC Confirms Person-to-Person Spread of New Coronavirus in the United States; January 30, 2020
- Joseph R. Anticaglia MD. Viruses 101 and the Body’s Battle Against These Relentless Invaders; Doctors Column, HC Smart, 2020
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.