Is Coronavirus COVID-19 Dangerous?

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There are many things to worry about with the new coronavirus. It spreads all over the world and causes businesses and individuals to lose their jobs in cities across the United States.

What makes this virus so different from other viruses?

COVID-19 may not be the most serious

Covid testing in Dallas has shown that COVID-19 is ten times more deadly than the seasonal flu. Only 0.1 percent of people die. However, scientists won’t be able confirm this until further testing is done.

Researchers do not have the data necessary to determine the exact death rate from this virus infection. There have been cases that were milder than others that were more severe. Once the data is collected, researchers predict that this virus’ fatality rate will decrease. This is contrary to what we see at hotspots all over the globe.

The virus spreading fastest isn’t necessarily the most dangerous

Michael J. Buchmeier (Ph.D.), a professor of infectious diseases at University of California Irvine School of Medicine says this virus is as contagious as the seasonal flu. One person can spread the virus to two or three others.

This contrasts with measles, which may be fatal to 18 people, or chickenpox, which can infect 12 people at once. Vaccinations can prevent these highly infectious diseases.

No one’s safe

It cannot be detected in humans and so it is not an immune virus. It is extremely dangerous because it can infect the upper respiratory system and spread easily from person to person, much like influenza. It cannot be vaccinated.

Researchers believe that coughing or sneezing could spread the disease. The upper respiratory tract (including the nose and mouth) is where the COVID-19 virus is found. It is also being discovered that patients with COVID-19 virus can transmit the virus to others inadvertently, even before they experience symptoms.

SARS and MERS did not spread as rapidly or widely

The COVID-19 virus looks similar to SARS. It is also known by the SARS CoV-2 name. Buchmeier claims that the virus binds to the same receptors as SARS-CoV-1 but is more persistent. The virus can penetrate cells quicker, stay in cells for longer periods of time, and spread faster.

It can lead to pneumonia if the virus infects the bronchial tubes or lower respiratory tract.

The body responds to an intruder by creating an inflammatory response. About 15% of people experience an immune reaction that causes a cyclical immune reaction, known as a “cytokinestorm”.

Researchers believe that Cytokine Synthesis occurs under normal conditions, and it peaks during the initial stages of an immune response. This helps in the production of antibodies and T cells that are specific for the virus. COVID-19 patients might experience an excessively prolonged cytokine response.

Researchers suspect that the virus may be responsible for severe lung damage. The cytokine hurricane could also cause damage to the heart and kidneys, as well as coagulopathy (clot formation).

This can cause severe illness or death in some cases, according to researchers. Similar cytokine reactions were observed in coronaviruses.

Differences: Flu and Covid-19

  • COVID-19 There is a wide variety of SARS-CoV-2 strains. They can be contagious and vary in severity. A PCR test may help you distinguish them.
  • Influenza virus:the reason for the flu. These are the major strains of influenza A or B viruses. Each year, new strains are discovered and spread.

Symptoms

  • COVID-19 Although many people infected with coronavirus don’t show symptoms or only mild symptoms, they are still susceptible to spreading their disease to others.

COVID-19 can cause some people to experience loss of their senses (ageusia). This can happen with flu viruses but it is rare.

Flu: While the flu doesn’t usually affect one’s senses or smell, it does share many COVID-19-like symptoms. One strain of influenza can cause widespread loss of taste or smell. This was the case during 1918’s flu pandemic.