Coronavirus Symptoms and Prevention Methods

  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cem Arıtürk explained the symptoms of "Coronavirus," which has caused panic worldwide, and methods of protection against the disease. Viruses are non-living parasites that require plants, animals or bacteria to survive, and viruses can only multiply and exist within a living organism by utilizing healthy cells. Most viruses, which are 10 to 100 times smaller than bacteria, are subject to preventive vaccination rather than treatment. While bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, the primary objectives in viral treatment are alleviating symptoms, reducing the severity of the process and preventing transmission to other people. Viruses that spread especially through the respiratory tract can be alarming due to treatment limitations. In recent years, as a result of globalization, with increased tourism and commercial relations worldwide, a virus from one part of the world can become a widespread health problem for the entire planet. However, when the uncertainty of viral structures is combined with the limitations of current treatment options, resulting epidemics can cause alarm and panic.

What is Coronavirus?

Regarding the Corona Virus, which we have heard frequently in recent days and which occupies a large place on the world agenda, Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cem Arıtürk stated: "Today's problem is the 'Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)' which has been mentioned dozens of times daily in the media, social media and society for approximately 3 weeks. A viral disease agent that, sharing one common feature with the bubonic plague of the Middle Ages, began to appear in Wuhan, China. The 2019-nCoV, which is thought to originate from a seafood market in Wuhan in Hubei Province, China, is a member of a large virus family. This family also includes SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Virus) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Virus), which were known for causing epidemics in previous years. Although the source of the disease is not definitively known, given the place of origin, it is thought to be wild animals sold in the Wuhan market. Coronavirus infection, initially thought to have passed from these animals to humans, became epidemic due to its ability to spread easily from person to person through the respiratory tract. The exact duration of the virus's pathogenicity and its survival outside the human body is not known, but we can make estimates based on what is known from previous outbreaks such as SARS and MERS. Coronavirus, which is transmitted through the respiratory tract via droplets (coughing, sneezing, saliva…), requires approximately 14 days to cause illness. However, it can survive outside the human body for approximately 2-3 hours."

What Are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?

Addressing the symptoms of coronavirus disease, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cem Arıtürk stated: "The disease presents with non-specific symptoms such as coughing, fever and difficulty breathing. However, in cases observed to date, if the immune system is suppressed or if the person exposed to the virus is very elderly or has chronic diseases, symptoms can become severe. Approximately over 10,000 cases have been reported worldwide and the death toll reported to date is around 520. Reported deaths are almost entirely among the elderly, those with other chronic diseases and children. Both the World Health Organization and the health ministries of countries worldwide have sent necessary instructions to health units and have been issuing publications to inform the entire society. According to the 2019-nCoV guidelines published by the Turkish Ministry of Health, persons who in the last 14 days have had any form of respiratory tract disease; who have had contact with persons confirmed to have 2019-nCoV through appropriate tests, who have been hospitalized in a country where 2019-nCoV cases have been reported, or who have been in the People's Republic of China are considered possible 2019-nCoV patients. Special laboratory tests are required for definitive diagnosis. In this guideline, identified cases are also required to be reported to the relevant official authorities," he said.

What Should Be Done for Protection?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cem Arıtürk lists the following measures that should be taken, particularly for protection and preventing disease transmission:

• Washing hands frequently during the day or cleaning them with alcohol-based disinfectants,
• Covering the mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, immediately discarding the tissue and cleaning hands,
• Avoiding close contact with persons who have upper respiratory tract infections
• Consuming meat that is well-cooked,
• Avoiding stores in areas where meat and meat products are sold and where 2019-nCoV cases have been observed, or avoiding direct hand contact with sold animal meat,
• Consulting a hospital without delay when flu and cold symptoms are observed.

"Beyond these, the World Health Organization and the health ministries of countries have explained the monitoring, treatment and quarantine procedures for possible and confirmed cases through written notices. Additionally, countries and intercontinental communications have issued notices regarding the procedures for persons suspected of illness at airports in order to keep transmission under control. In conclusion, taking the necessary precautions is the most logical course of action. It is possible to dispel the panic and alarm created by the unknown and the lack of medication with direct effect on the disease by adhering to the points mentioned above."