WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

The COVID-19 came into existence in 2019 with its first outbreak in China. After the WHO discovered the SARS-CoV-2 as a type of coronavirus earlier last year, the virus spread quickly and became more contagious. The COVID-19 is a SARS-CoV-2 caused disease that causes a respiratory tract infection either in the upper respiratory tract that comprises the sinuses, nose, and throat or the lower respiratory tract that encompasses the windpipe and lungs. By virtue, viruses mutate hence it is not an abnormality for the COVID-19 to mutate. The virus has mutated and possesses various variants; the mild and less contagious ones (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma) and the deadlier and more contagious ones (Delta, Omicron, Lambda, and Mu). Over the years, despite the mutations, its symptoms remained the same.

There are: 

• Fever

• Coughing

• Breathing problem 

• Fatigue

• Chills

• Nausea

• Body aches/ headaches

• Diarrhea

• Sore throat

• loss of smell and taste.

Severe effects of the virus could include; respiratory failure, liver problems, heart problems, pneumonia, septic shock, and the virus could lead to possible death with complications called a Cytokine storm. The cytokine storm happens when the immune system storms the bloodstream, with cytokines that kill the tissues and damage the organs, leading to possible death. 

Furthermore, several health conditions could make one vulnerable to higher chances of contracting the coronavirus.

These conditions include:

• Chronic kidney disease 

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

• Weakened immune system (due to organ transplant)

• Sickle cell disease 

• Heart failure.

Apart from these health conditions, other conditions that could make COVID-19 illness severe are; 

• High blood pressure/ liver disease 

• Dementia 

• Anxiety 

• Liver disease and many others.