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Coronaviruses are RNA-viruses that account for about 10-20 percent of colds and epidemics of respiratory diseases that occur approximately every four years. Coronaviruses mainly attack mammals and birds. Their genome is made of RNA. Their name comes from the corona-like sheath that appears around the virions in an electron microscope.
Coronaviruses are microbes that cause various types of infections in the digestive and respiratory systems, both in humans and animals. The first information about coranoviruses appeared in the 60s, when the pathogens HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 were discovered, which cause a cold of a mild nature, which disappears spontaneously after a few days. The lethal variety of the virus appeared only in 2002 in China. This strain causes severe respiratory failure, known over time as SARS. According to WHO data, the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003 resulted in the death of 916 people. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses. This means that their genome is made of RNA. Their name comes from the corona-like sheath that appears around the virions in an electron microscope.
This group includes three subgroups (B814, 229E and OC43), the last two of which cause epidemics of respiratory tract infections. A well-known representative of this group is the aforementioned SARS virus. Coronavirus also includes MERS-CoV (The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus), which has been detected in over 2012 people since September 40, half of whom have died. The first symptoms of a coronavirus infection are usually similar to those of the flu. There is high fever, headache, sore throat and cough, feeling exhausted, lack of appetite.
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There is a belief that the SARS virus appeared as a result of transmission from bats, although it could also be raccoon dogs. Southeast Asia is the most endangered region where SARS occurs. However, there is still a conjecture that camels are the source of coronavirus for humans. Viruses can be localized in the urine, feces, and even respiratory secretions and milk of an infected animal. Direct contact with these secretions may transmit infection. In some situations it is possible for humans to become infected by humans, for example as a result of close contact with sick people or among health care workers.
The MERS-coV coronavirus strain is most common in the Middle East:
- Qatar,
- Jordan,
- Kuwait,
- Saudi Arabia,
- Lebanon,
- Yemen,
- Egypt,
- Oman,
- United Arab Emirates,
- Iran.
Infection with the HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 coronavirus strains is characterized by a minor infection, in the course of which typical symptoms of a cold in the form of a runny nose and sometimes a cough appear. Typically, this condition lasts for a maximum of seven days, after which it disappears on its own. These pathogens are much more severe in young children and the elderly who have compromised immunity. Then the coronaviruses cause pneumonia, bronchitis or subglottic laryngitis.
Other disease symptoms occur in people infected with SARS-CoV. The infection starts with a high temperature, usually accompanied by diarrhea, dry cough, muscle and joint aches, headaches, and shortness of breath (trouble breathing). In a certain group of patients, breathing difficulties may develop into respiratory failure, which may even result in death.
On the other hand, an infection caused by the MERS-CoV virus initially gives little characteristic symptoms, such as headache, cough, high temperature, shortness of breath and muscle pain. Sometimes it is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. As infection with this virus progresses, pneumonia develops, which can result in the death of the patient. Impaired kidney function is not uncommonly observed.
Laboratory tests show a high level of lactate dehydrogenesis, while radiographic examination shows one or two-sided lesions and pleural infiltrates. The presence of the virus is also found in blood, faeces, urine and respiratory secretions.
The most important thing is to conduct a medical interview with the patient, which should include information on the symptoms and possible travel to areas with SARS-CoV or Mers-CoV viruses. If the patient has had close contact with an ill person within the last ten days, he should inform the doctor about it. The following are used to make the final diagnosis:
- blood test,
- X-ray and chest tomography.
So far, no single effective medicine to combat these dangerous viruses has been invented. In the treatment of MERS-CoV infection, preparations of unconfirmed effect, which have so far been used in other ailments, are used. We are talking about interferon, which in combination with lopinavir and ritonavir is a preparation approved for use by people infected with HIV. The choice of this drug is based on experience with the SARS-CoV epidemic.
Unfortunately, vaccines effective against human coronavirus infections are not available, but research into the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV (inactivated virus, viral proteins, DNA vaccines, chimeric viruses, VLPs) has been conducted in n vitro and in vivo conditions. Similar research has already been started for the MERS-CoV virus.
It is worth noting that there are attempts to use antimalarial drugs and tocilizumab in severe COVID-19.
The editorial board recommends:
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The following actions are very important in preventing the disease:
- avoid direct contact with sick people,
- you should remember about hygiene when breathing, i.e. covering the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing (preferably with a disposable handkerchief),
- personal hygiene is important, i.e. frequent hand washing,
- when traveling, it is worth having an antibacterial gel or disposable wipes with alcohol,
- do not touch your mouth, eyes and nose with dirty hands,
- people traveling to areas affected by the MERS-CoV virus should carefully study the information posted on the WHO website,
- contact with both animals and their excreta should be avoided, especially when traveling.
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