'The world is a place to live in, I like it...'
The name of the game is changing with humanity; The name we know is hide and seek, the new name is quarantine.
On the planet we live in, there are small creatures that form a much more crowded community than human existence. The Coronaviridae (CoV) family is a family of viruses that have existed for hundreds of years, are common in society, cause mostly self-limiting mild infectious diseases, and caused severe disease by causing two pandemics, SARS-CoV in 2003 and MERS-CoV in 2012. In the last days of 2019, the new member of this family, SARS-CoV-2, emerged and caused the COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing. Coronaviruses are single-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses, and the RNA polymerase enzyme is encoded in their genomes. The rod-like protrusions on their surfaces are called 'corona', which means crown in Latin. In general, approximately 60% of the viruses that cause disease in humans are transmitted from animals. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses that reside in animals, and as with all RNA viruses, they multiply in the host and accumulate mutations. In places where there are intense human relations, where there are many closed environments and where nature is disrupted, viruses pass to humans and cause epidemics with their mutation abilities. It is transmitted by ingesting a live virus. Since it is known that the coronavirus is transmitted by droplets from a distance of 60-80 cm, that is, less than 3-6 steps, the virus can only be transmitted by close contact and by taking secretions into our body through the respiratory tract and our hands. In other words, the droplets carrying the virus must somehow reach the mucosa in our mouth, nose or eyes. For this reason, the safe distance between humans and humans has been determined as 1m. Since the droplets containing the virus are heavier than air, they fall to the ground under the effect of gravity and stick to the surfaces, therefore it is not possible for the virus to lift up from the ground or circulate in the air with the wind. Since it is only transmitted from person to person, there must be a person who touches the surfaces that respiratory secretions come into contact with. coronavirus to the external environment It is also known that it is not very durable. The virus can survive on surfaces for a maximum of 6-8 hours. The survival time in the external environment is shortened at 30 degrees and in the presence of humidity. However, this does not mean that there will be no diseases in summer. The virus is inactivated at 56 degrees and is not resistant to ventilation. Since it is not resistant to stomach acid, it cannot be contaminated with food. Mosquito transmission has not been demonstrated. In other words, coronavirus cannot be active outside the human body. That's why washing hands is so important. Bleach (1/100 normal dilution) is the most ideal cleaner for cleaning contact surfaces.
Bleach preparation rates (10%):
1/100 bleach preparation : 1 part bleach + 99 parts water (releases 500-600 ppm chlorine)
To obtain 1/100 bleach, practically 1 small tea glass of bleach is added to 10 liters of water.
Epidemics are actually the efforts of viruses to settle in society, and although this is a devastating situation, when viewed from the perspective of science, the behavior of viruses is learned because people act as subjects of nature. Two things have been learned very well about the coronavirus so far.
1- Coronavirus spreads very quickly
2- Although the death rate from coronavirus disease is not high, it creates different effects in different age groups.
COVID The main symptoms of -19 disease are symptoms of respiratory tract infections.
1- Fever
2- Cough
3- Shortness of breath
Coronavirus settles in the lung tissue and creates a hidden oxygen deficiency when it settles. For this reason, shortness of breath and respiratory distress are very evident in COVID-19 disease. Smoking increases the risk of disease by 2.5 times. During the examination of patients, oxygen saturation is always measured in addition to vital signs. Detailed blood tests are requested. Lung imaging (PA X-ray and CT) is performed.
Although the symptoms of COVID-19 in children are almost the same:
1- Fever (38 degrees and above)
2- Cough
/> 3- Runny nose and/or congestion.
4- Diarrhea may occur.
Children are asked to perform the same evaluation tests as adults. Drug treatment in children with a definitive diagnosis and possible side effects It should be chosen very carefully and the treatment should be followed closely.
The disease is mild in children, but they are highly contagious. In order to be protected, children should come into contact with as few people as possible.
When COVID-19 is detected during pregnancy, transmission from the placenta to the baby has not been demonstrated. Transmission to the baby through breast milk has not been detected; the mother must only carefully follow the cleaning rules.
Why does coronavirus cause a different clinical course of disease in everyone?
Just like all other viruses, coronavirus is also immune. It means the answer of our system. After entering our body through droplets, viruses enter our cells and imitate all the processes created by our cells. Very strong signals are sent from infected cells. Therefore, everyone's infection response and immunity are different. In this case, the main thing is that the person recognizes his own infection structure and response.
The difference between the coronavirus and other viruses is that after entering the cell, it sends such a strong immune signal that this time the body perceives its own cells as enemies and attacks itself.
/> Healthy nutrition and a healthy body structure mean a healthy immune system. Our defense system works uniquely and defends everyone in different ways. Therefore, in this period, we must continue on our way by completing our shortcomings without trying anything new or exaggerating. For the same reason, not everyone may develop equal immunity. At least 60% of the population must be infected for immunity to occur in the general population. However, when vaccine treatment begins to be applied, the disease burden will decrease.
How can we fight against a virus that has no treatment?
Quarantine.
Unless we have a ready-made vaccine or a coronavirus-specific drug, the only thing we can take is inspired by the history of old epidemics. The precaution is quarantine. Quarantine; It means forty days (quarantina) in Italian. It means separating healthy people who are likely to be infected from other healthy people during the longest incubation period of a disease.
Although this method is not preferred due to its difficulty in implementation and psycho-socio-economic difficulties, it is still vi The main duty until the virus takes a place in society is to comply with the authority based on science and knowledge. If the rules are followed, everyone will be minimally affected.
During this period, we should try not to get sick as much as we can and continue our lives by doing what we always do.
In the face of such an uncertain situation and the anxiety it creates, we do the best we know and can do. It means taking refuge in our old habits. We have to get along with this virus until it introduces itself to us sufficiently, until it finds a place in society and until we get to know it. As a result, we are faced with the fear of solving an equation with many unknowns.
The psychology part of my article continues…
I wish you healthy days.
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