In January 2020 China discovered a new coronavirus when it was investigating cases of pneumonia (from December 2019) in people in Wuhan City, Hubei province, China. Wuhan novel coronavirus (WN-CoV) is a new respiratory illness that has not previously been seen in humans. This new virus is causing several respiratory illnesses in humans, some of which have been fatal.
What are coronavirus infections?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. They are named for the crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus. Some coronaviruses only affect animals, but others can also affect humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Most people get infected with human coronaviruses at some time in their life. This usually causes mild to moderate upper-respiratory infections, like the common cold, but they can also cause more severe illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
There are several different types of human coronaviruses, including the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) viruses. This new Wuhan novel coronavirus is posing several challenges to public health officials worldwide.
Wuhan novel coronavirus (WN-CoV)
This coronavirus, so far, has killed at least 81 people and infected almost 2,700 since its discovery in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The virus has spread nationwide in China, and cases have been reported in several other countries as far away as the United States, France and Australia.
How is Wuhan novel coronavirus spread between people?
As this is a new illness, researchers do not know exactly how Wuhan novel coronavirus spreads from person to person, but similar viruses spread by cough droplets. Other Human coronaviruses usually spread from an infected person to others through:
• The air by coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
• Rarely, faeces (poop)
Symptoms of Wuhan coronavirus
Symptoms usually include:
• feeling tired
• difficulty breathing
• a high temperature
• a cough
Symptoms seem to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and, then, after a week, lead to shortness of breath and some patients needing hospital treatment.
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
As with all respiratory illnesses, if you are worried about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
People who think they may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Treatment for Wuhan novel coronavirus
There is no specific treatment for Wuhan novel coronavirus. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
Can coronavirus infections be prevented?
At the present time there are not any vaccines to prevent human coronavirus infections. Preventative measures include the following:
• Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoiding touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick e.g. anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you frequently touch
• Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow. Then throw away the tissue and wash your hands.
• Staying home when sick
Conclusion
Health officials in many countries are closely monitoring the outbreak of the respiratory illness in Wuhan, China, caused by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Information on this new virus outbreak is rapidly evolving, but standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Individuals are encouraged to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. At the present time, in the absence of effective drugs or a vaccine, control of this disease relies on the prompt identification, appropriate management and isolation of possible cases.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
