COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that triggers respiratory tract infection. Hence, the novel coronavirus is a respiratory virus. It spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. Currently, this disease is spread across the world and has taken a toll on several lives. And, a lot of patients are undergoing treatment in Multispeciality hospitals in Hyderabad.
The pandemic disease can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs). It can cause a range of symptoms, ranging from mild illness to pneumonia. Some of the common symptoms of the disease are fever, cough, sore throat and headaches. In severe cases difficulty in breathing and even death is possible.
Although people of any age can be affected by COVID-19, but the older people, and those with pre- existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable to this medical condition. At present, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of the disease is to clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand wash or wash them with soap and water.
Since the patients suffering from COVID-19 face lack of oxygen, so those who are in need of additional oxygen can now choose between multiple home or portable oxygen concentrator options. An oxygen concentrator plugs into an outlet to receive, purify, and distribute air for those who have a reduced level of oxygen in their blood. These devices are much lighter and less bulky than the traditional oxygen tanks. And, it can lead to a more active lifestyle for those who have extra oxygen needs.
What to do if you think you might be suffering from COVID-19?
Even if you feel mild symptoms of COVID-19, like a headache and runny nose, you must try to stay indoors until you are better. Try to stay in a separate room away from other people in your home and use a separate bathroom if you can so as to avoid the spread of the infection. If you have a trouble in breathing, you must get a medical help as soon as possible. In case, you do not have a regular doctor, you must immediately rush to a good hospital nearby. Once you visit the doctor, follow your doctor’s advice, and take the necessary medical care and treatment as suggested by the doctor.
Is there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?
COVID-19 has rampantly spread across the world. Although some western and home remedies may provide comfort and improve symptoms of mild COVID-19, but there are no medicines that have been shown to prevent or cure the disease. So, while a number of efforts are taken to treat the disease, a perfect solution is yet to be discovered.
To answer the question whether there is a vaccine for COVID-19 or not, let’s check out the facts regarding Coronavirus vaccine update:-
- According to the World Health Organization more than 150 COVID -19 vaccines are presently in the development stage. And, around 44 candidates are in clinical trials and 11 are undergoing late-stage testing.
- Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech claim that their experimental vaccine is more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 based on initial data from its Phase III trials. These encouraging results have prompted the top US infectious-disease expert to say that the country may soon start offering the vaccine to the priority groups.
- While, Moderna Inc, a US drug maker recently said that the preliminary data of its Phase III mRNA-1273 vaccine trials was being prepared for submission to the monitoring board, raising hopes that initial results would be released soon. The firm expects to develop 20 million doses of its experimental vaccine by the end of the year.
- The Serum Institute of India, which is conducting Phase 2/3 trials of the Oxford University vaccine said that it is aiming to produce 100 million (10 crores) doses by December. And, Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, known as Sputnik-V, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, has arrived in India and trials will begin soon. It is also said that Dr Reddy’s will test the vaccine candidate on around 1,500 participants in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial, across at least 10 sites.
- J&J is at present testing the vaccine. It uses a modified adenovirus like the Oxford shot according to a 60,000-volunteer Phase III study. The firm has communicated that the first batches of its vaccine could be available as soon as in January.
The above points about Coronavirus vaccine update hints at the fact that the vaccine for the treatment of COVID-19 should be available soon, thereby, giving a new hope to the lives of people which is at risk currently.
