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Scientists want to learn as much as possible about contagion, coronavirus transmission, and what happens in the body after infection. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has published detailed clinical data on 72 patients. How is SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection carried out?
How COVID-19 attacks the human body?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. According to a study by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is similar to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS). These similarities enable scientists to use knowledge about SARS in research on the novel coronavirus.
COVID-19, like the flu, starts in the lungs and is spread via water droplets when you sneeze or cough. Other routes of infection are still being explored.
Early analyzes suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is effective in replicating in the upper respiratory tract. Coronavirus carriers produce a large amount of viruses early in an infection. The incubation period for the coronavirus is on average five days, with infected people often showing no symptoms, contributing to the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 comes in three stages: starts with a mild illness and symptoms affecting the upper respiratory tract then progresses to a non-life threatening pneumonia. After about a week, severe pneumonia develops with acute respiratory distress syndrome, which may even require life support. However, it should be remembered that the course of the disease may be different for each patient.
When infected with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the body triggers a cytokinin response and immune cells attack the coronavirus. In some cases and for unknown reasons, the coronavirus can overreact the immune system, which can make recovery difficult.
See also: Current data on the number of people infected with the coronavirus in Poland
WHO spokeswoman Carla Drysdale told IFLScience that the most common symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus are fever, fatigue and dry cough. Some patients may experience muscle aches and headaches, changes in the sense of smell and taste, runny nose or diarrhea. Symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
See also: What are the symptoms of the disease caused by the coronavirus?
Observations show that the time between the onset of symptoms and full recovery is around 20 days, but since COVID-19 is a new disease, experts need more epidemiological data to determine if a person acquires immunity after an illness.
The most important information about the coronavirus:
- A letter from a well-known virologist came to the network. The doctor advises his friends on how to prepare for the epidemic
- What’s new about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and COVID-19 disease?
- A handshake or a “turtle”? Epidemiologists have proven that the traditional greeting carries 10 times more microbes
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