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How Does the Coronavirus Spread?

How Does the Coronavirus Spread?

COVID-19, known as the coronavirus, can spread easily between people, but unfortunately does not always produce the same symptoms in everyone.

Some people, especially the elderly, are more susceptible to rapidly worsening infections, leading to severe complications and ultimately death.

Since the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the world, there have been various questions surrounding it, with the most prominent being about how the virus spreads, creating fear and worry among many about the risks associated with the virus.

  • The new coronavirus can easily spread through close contact with infected individuals, so it is essential to maintain a distance of two meters from others to prevent the spread of infection.
  • The coronavirus can spread through the air via respiratory droplets from the coughs or sneezes of infected individuals, making it possible to inhale the droplets and thus introduce the infection into the body through the mouth or nose.
  • In some cases, the virus can be transmitted through encounters with small droplets known as respiratory aerosols, which remain in the air for minutes or even hours.
  • Coronavirus can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your hands on your nose, mouth, or even your eyes.
  • Swimming pools have become environments where the coronavirus can spread among people.

Symptoms of Coronavirus Infection

Upon understanding how the coronavirus spreads, we will discuss the topic further and provide more information about the novel virus. The following are common symptoms:

  • Fever.
  • Dry cough.
  • Feeling unwell and fatigued.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Some muscle aches.
  • Headache.
  • Red and inflamed eyes.
  • Nausea.
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances, especially diarrhea.
  • Appearance of a rash.
  • Severe chest pain.

Symptoms Requiring Emergency Care for Coronavirus

While coronavirus symptoms vary from person to person, those that pose a severe health risk and require immediate medical attention include:

  • Severe difficulty breathing.
  • Severe and persistent chest pain.
  • Inability to stay awake.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Paleness of the skin, indicating a bluish appearance.
  • Changes in lip color and specifically a bluish discoloration along with a change in nail color.

Risk Factors for Coronavirus Infection

By answering how the coronavirus spreads, we learn that there are several factors that increase the likelihood of the virus’s spread.

These factors mentioned above, such as close contact, inhaling respiratory droplets, and exposure to the coughs of infected individuals, are risk factors for COVID-19 infection. Additionally, the risk of contracting the virus increases due to the presence of other diseases and extra factors as follows:

  • Acute heart diseases such as heart failure or myocardial infarction.
  • Cancer.
  • Obesity.
  • Chronic lung obstruction.
  • Type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • Smoking.
  • Asthma.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Down syndrome resulting from genetic disorders.
  • Weakened immune system due to solid organ transplantation.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Excessive use of certain medications.
  • Autoimmune diseases, especially AIDS.
  • Pulmonary fibrosis.
  • Chronic kidney disease.

Serious Complications of Coronavirus Infection

Serious complications of the coronavirus are apparent among elderly patients or those with other health problems, with these complications serving as an indicator of the severity of the infection in the body. These include:

  • Pneumonia infection.
  • Various respiratory problems.
  • The advanced coronavirus virus can cause damage to and failure of an organ.
  • Heart problems.
  • A significant decrease in oxygen levels in the body, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Increased risk of blood clots.
  • Acute injury to one of the kidneys.
  • Increased susceptibility to other viral and bacterial infections.
  • Brain damage due to the coronavirus causing a stroke.

Methods of Diagnosing Coronavirus Infection

While we constantly touch contaminated surfaces, interact with many people, inhale droplets, and return to the question of how the coronavirus spreads, these are the transmission factors that should be avoided.

Additionally, in the case of frequent contact with people and finding out that someone is infected with this virus, one should consult a doctor to undergo the necessary tests, especially when experiencing any symptoms, even if they are mild and resemble common cold symptoms.

There are specific methods for diagnosing coronavirus infection, and the following points will detail them:

  • Conducting a serology test, which is a protein interactive assay. This involves taking a blood sample from the patient and testing it in the laboratory. If the levels of this protein are high, it indicates an increase in inflammation levels in the body due to viral infection, thus unveiling the presence of a coronavirus infection.
  • Performing a RT-PCR test, which is a swab in the nose or throat. If the swab is in the nose, a thin tube is passed to collect the lighter sample of nasal secretions and is sent to be tested in the lab. The swab in the mouth involves passing a tube inside the mouth to collect saliva, and within a few days, the presence of a coronavirus infection can be determined.

Tips to Avoid Coronavirus Transmission to You

After learning the answer to the question of how the coronavirus spreads, we list a series of tips to be followed for protection from this life-threatening virus:

However, before listing these tips, it should be clarified that there is no specific treatment for this virus, but the proposed treatments contribute to reducing the symptoms and strengthening the immune system. Therefore, it is best to go to the hospital and receive full medical treatment.

Also, it is necessary to receive a coronavirus vaccine for protection from this virus and follow the following tips, putting you in a position that does not require seeking treatment:

  • Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without ensuring that your hands are thoroughly cleaned with water, soap, or sanitizers.
  • Be careful not to touch unclean surfaces and regularly disinfect all surfaces, especially doorknobs, electronic devices, and light switches.
  • When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth, then dispose of it promptly.
  • Do not share your personal belongings with others to avoid transmission.
  • Regularly disinfect your hands with alcohol.
  • It is essential to wear a mask, especially in enclosed, crowded areas.
  • Maintain a considerable distance between yourself and others, equal to two meters.
  • Do not stay in poorly ventilated places for long periods.
  • Try to stay home as much as possible if there are no essential matters to attend to such as going to work or school.
  • If you have any health issues and experience common flu symptoms, do not neglect it and try to confirm whether you have contracted the coronavirus in order to avoid complications.
  • Take medications that work to improve immune system health and strengthen it, after consulting a specialized doctor, to ensure prevention from this dangerous virus.




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