1.क्या है कोरोना वायरस?

कोरोना वायरस (सीओवी) का संबंध वायरस के ऐसे परिवार से है, जिसके संक्रमण से जुकाम से लेकर सांस लेने में तकलीफ जैसी समस्या हो सकती है. इस वायरस को पहले कभी नहीं देखा गया है. इस वायरस का संक्रमण दिसंबर में चीन के वुहान में शुरू हुआ था. डब्लूएचओ के मुताबिक, बुखार, खांसी, सांस लेने में तकलीफ इसके लक्षण हैं. अब तक इस वायरस को फैलने से रोकने वाला कोई टीका नहीं बना है.

2.क्या हैं इस बीमारी के लक्षण?

इसके संक्रमण के फलस्वरूप बुखार, जुकाम, सांस लेने में तकलीफ, नाक बहना और गले में खराश जैसी समस्या उत्पन्न होती हैं. यह वायरस एक व्यक्ति से दूसरे व्यक्ति में फैलता है. इसलिए इसे लेकर बहुत सावधानी बरती जा रही है. यह वायरस दिसंबर में सबसे पहले चीन में पकड़ में आया था. इसके दूसरे देशों में पहुंच जाने की आशंका जताई जा रही है.

3.क्या हैं इससे बचाव के उपाय?

स्‍वास्‍थ्‍य मंत्रालय ने कोरोना वायरस से बचने के लिए दिशानिर्देश जारी किए हैं. इनके मुताबिक, हाथों को साबुन से धोना चाहिए. अल्‍कोहल आधारित हैंड रब का इस्‍तेमाल भी किया जा सकता है. खांसते और छीकते समय नाक और मुंह रूमाल या टिश्‍यू पेपर से ढककर रखें. जिन व्‍यक्तियों में कोल्‍ड और फ्लू के लक्षण हों उनसे दूरी बनाकर रखें. अंडे और मांस के सेवन से बचें. जंगली जानवरों के संपर्क में आने से बचें.

What are coronavirus infections?

Coronaviruses are a group of common viruses. They are named for the crown-like spikes on the surface of the virus. Some coronaviruses only affect animals, but others can also affect humans. Most people get infected with human coronaviruses at some time in their life. This usually causes mild to moderate upper-respiratory infections, like the common cold. But they can also cause more severe illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

There are several different types of human coronaviruses, including the the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses.

How are coronavirus infections spread?

Human coronaviruses usually spread from an infected person to others through

• The air by coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
• Rarely, feces (poop)

Who is at risk for coronavirus infections?

Anyone can get a coronavirus infection, but young children are most likely to get infected. In the United States, infections are more common in the fall and winter.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus infections?

The symptoms depend on the type of coronavirus and how serious the infection is. If you have a mild to moderate upper-respiratory infection such as the common cold, your symptoms may include

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Not feeling well overall.

Some coronaviruses can cause severe symptoms. The infections may turn into bronchitis and pneumonia, which cause symptoms such as

• Fever, which may be quite high if you have pneumonia
• Cough with mucus
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or tightness when you breathe and cough

Severe infections are more common in people with heart or lung diseases, people with weakened immune systems, infants, and older adults.

How are coronavirus infections diagnosed?

To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will

• Take your medical history, including asking about your symptoms
• Do a physical exam
• May do blood tests
• May do lab tests of sputum, a sample from a throat swab, or other respiratory specimens

What are the treatments for coronavirus infections?

There are no specific treatments for coronavirus infections. Most people will get better on their own. However, you can relieve your symptoms by

• Taking over-the-counter medicines for pain, fever, and cough. However, do not give aspirin to children. And do not give cough medicine to children under four.
• Using a room humidifier or taking a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough
• Getting plenty of rest
• Drinking fluids

If you are worried about your symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Can coronavirus infections be prevented?

Right now, there aren't any vaccines to prevent human coronavirus infections. But you may able to reduce your risk of getting or spreading an infection by

• Washing Hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoiding touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you frequently touch
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Then throw away the tissue and wash your hands.
• Staying home when sick