COVID-19 is caused by a virus called a coronavirus.
Actually a coronavirus is not one single virus, it is the family name for a large group of viruses that are very similar to each other. In humans they cause respiratory illnesses, that is illnesses that predominately affect the lungs and airways.
Some of the coronaviruses are of very little threat to us and cause only a common cold or mild illness.
However recent years have seen the emergence of some very serious ones that have caused diseases such as SARS and MERS (see separate blog entry to read more about these two illnesses).
At the end of 2019 it became clear that another, potentially lethal, coronavirus had emerged that was causing serious chest infections in some of the people it infected. Unfortunately it was also killing somewhere between 1% and 3% of those who caught it.
The illness this new coronavirus causes was named COVID-19.
Nobody, anywhere has immunity to this new coronavirus and there is no vaccine available.
Antibiotics do not work on viruses so there is no curative treatment.
Patients in intensive care units are unable to breathe for themselves anymore and need to be ventilated, that is have a machine take over their breathing for them. This supports them whilst their bodies own immune system fights the virus. Sadly many on intensive care do not recover and die.
Many websites are available which detail the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 but the NHS website's information is concise and regularly updated.
For anyone who may have problems accessing the above link you will find below the content on their website:
START OF NHS INFORMATION >>>
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.
Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.
Simple measures like washing your hands often with soap and water can help stop viruses like coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading.
There's no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19). Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms until you recover.
It's not known exactly how coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads from person to person, but similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
HOW CORONAVIRUS IS SPREAD Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person. Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are: a cough a high temperature shortness of breath But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
PREVENTION
Simple measures like washing your hands often with soap and water can help stop viruses like coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading.
Do: wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds always wash your hands when you get home or into work use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell Don't: do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
MEDICAL TREATMENTS
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses. Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness. You'll need to stay in isolation away from other people until you've recovered.
END OF NHS INFORMATION <<<
