What is Novel Coronavirus?

A novel coronavirus is a kind of virus that can cause respiratory illness in humans. In November 2019, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Wuhan, the city of China, and quickly in few weeks spread around the world.

An infection with this coronavirus causes a respiratory disease is known as COVID-19.

As with most viruses, the incubation period of Covid-19 can vary from person to person. Read on to learn more about the incubation period and what to do if you think you have COVID-19.

About the incubation period of Novel Coronavirus

An incubation period is a time between when you contract a virus and when your symptoms start.

Currently, the incubation period for the novel coronavirus is somewhere between 2 to 14 days after exposure.

According to a recent report, more than 97 % of people who contract SARS-CoV-2 show symptoms within 11.5 days of exposure. But the average incubation period seems to be around 5 days. However, this estimate may change.

For most, COVID-19 symptoms start with very mild symptoms and gradually get worse over a few days.

How is the virus transmitted?

SARS-CoV-2 spreads mostly from person to person. Through close contact or from droplets that are scattered when a person with the virus sneezes, coughs or speaks.

The novel coronavirus is highly contagious. The person who has the virus is most contagious when he/she gets the symptoms of COVID-19.

Although there’s a possibility that someone who is infected with the coronavirus can transmit the virus even if they’re not showing any specific symptoms.

It’s also possible that the virus can be transmitted via touching infected surfaces and then touching your own mouth or nose. However, this isn’t the main way the novel coronavirus spreads.

How to Protect Yourself from Novel Coronavirus

The best way to prevent yourself from infecting with the novel coronavirus is to wash your hands often.

Use soap and water and wash for at least 20-30 seconds. If you cant reach soap and water, then you can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

Other ways to protect yourself include the following:

  • Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone, and avoid the crowded areas.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Don’t share personal items with others. This includes things like utensils, towels, toothbrushes, and lip balm.
  • Frequently clean high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, and stair rails in your home with household cleaners or a diluted bleach solution.
  • Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer after touching surfaces like an elevator or ATM buttons, grocery carts, doorknobs, etc.
  • Stay home as much as possible
  • Call your doctor if you start having any symptoms of COVID-19.

What are the Symptoms of COVID-19 caused by Novel Coronavirus?

Symptoms of COVID-19 are not so prominent initially and develop slowly. The main symptoms are:

  • fever
  • shortness of breath
  • cough
  • fatigue

Other not so common symptoms may include:

  • achiness
  • nasal congestion
  • sore throat
  • runny nose

COVID-19 has more respiratory symptoms than a common cold. Common cold usually causes a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. Also, a high fever isn’t too common with a cold.

The flu has similar symptoms to COVID-19. However, COVID-19 is more likely to cause shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms.

About 80 % of people recover from the symptoms of COVID-19 without needing any special medical treatment.

However, some people with low immunity and underlying medical conditions can become seriously ill after contracting COVID-19. Older people with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk of developing more severe symptoms.

What should you do if you think you have symptoms of COVID-19?

If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and call a doctor. Let your doctor know:

  • what type of symptoms you have
  • how severe your symptoms are
  • whether you’ve traveled abroad or had contact with someone who has been developed COVID-19.
  • whether you’ve been around large groups of people

You may need to be evaluated if:

  • your symptoms are severe
  • you’re an older adult
  • you have underlying health conditions

Your doctor will determine whether you need testing or not. What type of treatment is best for you.

 

What are the other types of coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a certain kind of virus that causes respiratory illnesses in animals and humans. Corona means “crown,”. These viruses are named for the proteins on the outside of the viruses that look like crowns.

SARS-CoV-2 is the newest type of coronavirus that’s been discovered it had never been seen before.

Other types of coronaviruses include:

  • SARS-CoV, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The incubation period for SARS is usually 2 to 7 days, but it can be up to 10 days in some people.
  • MERS-CoV, which causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The incubation period for MERS-CoV is between 2 and 14 days, with 5 to 6 days being average.

Also Read:

How Long Does the Coronavirus Stay Alive on Surfaces?

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