COVID-19 – What it is and what it does

Corona Virus disease, known as COVID-19, with the 19 representing the year it was first identified, is a disease caused by a type of virus called coronavirus. The scientific name of the virus, first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan China, is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

At the beginning of the epidemic, the virus was called “2019 novel coronavirus”. It is believed that the SARS‐CoV‐2 apparently succeeded in transitioning from animals to humans on the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan, China

How does the virus enter the human body? The virus moves from one person to the next mainly through the respiratory route i.e. through the areas we use to breath. When an infected person talks, sings, coughs or simply breath, the virus can pass to the next person through their nose or mouth if they are less than 1 meter away. The virus, when released into the air by an infected person, it can settle down onto surfaces, which when one touches with bare hands can be passed onto the that person if they go on to touch their eyes, nose of mouth. This is why gatherings of people in close contact and there is poor circulation of air are called “super-spreaders”.

What happens when the virus enters one’s body through the various ways described above – the person becomes infected.  This means the virus has entered the body and it has began to multiply and increase in numbers. At this stage, one is just infected, but are not yet “’sick”. One only becomes sick when the number of viruses have multiplied to such numbers that the body starts to react and is seen as signs (what we can see) and symptoms (what one feels). Scientists indicate that it can take anything between 5 to 7 days for one to begin to show these signs and symptoms.

So, how will you know that you could have been infected with the corona virus. There are symptoms that are seen in the majority of people who have contracted the virus and these are fever (high temperature), dry cough and feeling generally tired. As you may see, these symptoms are similar to what one would feel when having common cold, what we usually call “flu”. However, a fewer number of people have also felt other symptoms like body aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhoea, headache, loss of taste or smell. Most people infected by the virus will not show any symptoms or when they do, they are mild. However, transmission to other people happens most of the times by those infected but not showing any symptoms at all.

A smaller group of people will show serious or what they call severe symptoms like difficulty in breathing or experiencing shortness of breath, feeling some chest pains and sometime complete loss of speech and ability to move. This group of people requires to be hospitalized and require assistance with breathing – this is why you hear health workers talking about “shortage of oxygen” as the infected person now require assistance with breathing.

 How do we diagnose or confirm that one is indeed infected with corona virus? The laboratory is the place where tests are conducted which is the only means of confirming that one is infected with the corona virus. To confirm the virus, a sample or specimen is collected from the person and tested for SARS-CoV-2. At the moment, the virus can be detected if a sample is collected from deep inside your nose and from your throat. Sample taken from the deep end of the nose is called a “nasal swab” while that taken from the deep end of your mouth is called a “pharyngeal swab” It is very important that the correct sample is collected correctly and taken to the place of testing in the correct manner. Hence, samples are collected and transported only by people that have been trained to do so.

There are many methods or tests that are currently being used to confirm that the virus is indeed present in the samples collected. The most accurate and reliable method used is the Polymerase Chain Reaction, commonly known as PCR Test.  The test checks presence of the genes, called genetic material that makes the virus i.e. it detects the presents of the actual virus called the antigen. The other tests, called serological tests, test for the presents of antibodies which are produced by our bodies when trying to fight the infection by the virus. Hence, testing for antibodies may just indicate that you were at some point infected and that is why antibodies are being detected. The PCR test detect the virus itself, called the antigen and show that you actually infected now. PCR is currently the most accurate and reliable tests, called the gold standard test.

What can we do to prevent getting infected by the virus? We have described how one gets the virus, therefore avoiding or not promoting those means of getting the virus is the best way to prevent it. Always wear your mask when you are to meet other people so that when you speak you do not spread the virus and that you do not get it too. Always stand at least 1 meter away from the next person – this is what they call physical distancing so that even the other person releases  the virus, it does not reach you. Avoid touching surfaces because the virus may have landed there. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or sanitize – soap and sanitizer kill the virus. When you feel any of the symptoms described, go to your nearest health facility to be examined and where a sample can be collected and tested.

As of 29 March 2021, 126,890,643 people in the world have been reported by the World Health Organization as being infected and confirmed by laboratory tests. Unfortunately, about  2,778,619 have died. In Africa, more than 4 million cases have been reported since the first case was reported on the 14th February 2020 in Egypt. 

Most governments in Africa and the world have put measures in place to try and control the spread the virus –  this was called ”flattening the curve” As you can see above the curve has been going up ad down as different times since 14th February 2020 up to now. The measures implemented by governments are what are called “Public Health Measures” and have included the famous lockdowns where people were requested to stay at home. Public places were closed, travel outside and within countries banned, schools closed among many other measures. In the last few months, these measures have been relaxed a bit.

In the last few weeks, something very important in controlling the spread the virus has been introduced – vaccinations. Most of adults today received vaccines for polio, measles and others when you were young, Vaccines basically protects you from being infected. Vaccines are made by killing the virus or modifying it such that when injected into your body when vaccinated, it does not cause disease but your body thinks it is  a virus and starts to make antibodies. Having these antibodies means when you get exposed to the actual virus, your body is already ready to fight the virus, prevent it from multiplying and hence, end up not causing you to have those severe symptoms,

We have introduced you to the Corona virus, described how it gets into your body, what it will do,  how you can know that you have been infected, what you need to do to confirm you are infected and how to prevent being infected. The key message is Always Mask Up, Avoid places you may have to be less than meter from next person, wash your hands or sanitize and GET VACCINATED