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The coronavirus is raging in almost every corner of the world. Work on the drug and vaccine for the coronavirus is still ongoing. Unfortunately, the coronavirus is an RNA virus that is very susceptible to mutations. We asked the drug. Łukasz Durajski, what does it mean that the virus is mutating and what consequences this may have.
The coronavirus is a virus that belongs to the Coronaviridae family. It is covered with a lipid envelope with characteristic structures that look like a crown. The membrane is very easy to destroy with the use of commonly available chemicals, such as soap and disinfectants with a minimum content of 60%. alcohol.
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The coronavirus causes a disease known as COVID-19. The symptoms of COVID-19 resemble a normal infection with symptoms such as fever, cough, general weakness and muscle aches. However, the hallmarks of the disease are breathing problems and shortness of breath. In some patients, they require the administration of oxygen, and even connection to a ventilator.
Some patients also developed symptoms from the digestive system at the onset of the disease. Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting were the most frequently reported.
In severe cases of COVID-19, the patient develops sepsis, septic shock and acute multi-organ failure. Extremely severe cases of the disease may result in the death of the patient.
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According to current data, scientists can now distinguish as many as three different varieties of the coronavirus. It has already been confirmed that the European and American versions of the virus differ from this virus that originated in Asia. Why is the coronavirus mutating?
Human cells contain DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, which is necessary for the transmission of genetic information. DNA forms a double helix, i.e. a structure composed of two strands that are twisted together. The presence of two strands gives the cell an additional possibility of control when copying the genetic material, and thus allows it to catch many mutations and repair them.
The coronavirus is an RNA virus. For him, another acid is responsible for transmitting genetic information – ribonucleic acid (RNA), which occurs in the form of a single strand. When copying this strand, the control mechanisms as in the case of DNA do not work, therefore frequent mutations occur (which are not detected and repaired).
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Thus, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has a tendency to rapidly mutate.
This situation is a challenge for scientists working, for example, on a vaccine or a drug for the coronavirus. Today it is difficult to know how the coronavirus will behave in the coming seasons and whether the established therapy will continue to be effective.
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- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water or disinfect them with a suitable agent with a minimum content of 60%. alcohol.
- Regularly clean surfaces that you touch frequently.
- Disinfect your cell phone.
- Stay home if you can, and wear a mask and gloves if you have to go out.
- Keep a distance from the interlocutor (approx. 1-2 meters).
- Don’t touch your eyes, mouth and nose – the easiest way to transfer the coronavirus to yourself is then.
- Maintain a healthy, easily digestible diet and drink a minimum of 2 liters of water each day.
- Reach only for proven information about the coronavirus.
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Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected] You can find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.