What is Covid-19 ?

The disease caused by the Sars Cov-2 virus is called Covid -19. Sars Cov-2 is a coronavirus. Coronaviruses are from the family Coronaviridae. In daily life, coronaviruses usually cause upper respiratory tract infections or common cold that which are clinically mild diseases. Airborne trasmission is the main mode of transmission of the Sars Cov-2 virus. Sars Cov-2 has the ability to bind to receptors called ACE-2 found in many cells of the body. The factors that make the disease important are that it is easily transmitted from person to person and that it causes lung involvement in a significant number of patients, that is, covid-19 pneumonia. profdromerdeniz.com. In some patients with Covid-19 pneumonia, severe respiratory failure might develop due to widespread lung involvement and intensive care follow-up  and ventilatory support may be required. Unfortunately, some of these patients may die. According to a paper published by the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, the death rate for those hospitalized for covid 19 disease could be more than 5 times higher than for those hospitalized for seasonal flu. profdromerdeniz.com. When all patients infected with Sars Cov-2 virus are taken all together, it is observed that the disease exists asymptomatically or with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in most of the patients.  Although the ratio of cases resulting in respiratory failure and death is considerably low when compared to all individuals infected with Sars-Cov2, the number of patients with severe Covid-19 might be considerably high since the disease is rapidly transmitted to enormous number of people. profdromerdeniz.com.

How is Covid-19 transmitted?

Airborne trasmission is the main mode of transmission of the Sars Cov-2 virus. An individual infected with Sars Cov-2 virus might release small particles and droplets containing the virus in the ambient air by coughing, sneezing, talking, etc.  These particles or droplets containing viruses can be inhaled by other people, and thus these individuals can be infected with the virus. The virus can be transmitted to the upper airways as well as deep into the alveoli, the smallest unit of the lungs where gas is exchanged. Therefore, wearing a mask is very important to prevent virus transmission. In addition, these particles or droplets, which are released into the ambient air by the infected person and contain viruses, can directly stick to the mouths, noses, eyes of other individuals. Infected individuals can contaminate the objects around them with the virus by touching their mouth and/or nose with their hands and then touching the objects around them. It can also be transmitted due to touching these surrounding items. Even if it is accepted that the virus can be transmitted by contact with the goods, this probability is quite low.  Not every individual who is infected or exposed to the virus becomes sick. This suggests that some people may have a natural immunity to the virus. profdromerdeniz.com.

What are the symptoms of Covid-19?

Patients with Covid-19 have a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe disease symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Below are many symptoms of Covid-19; sore throat, runny nose, fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, weakness, muscle aches,  joint pains, back pain, pain in the whole body, headache, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Patients may experience other symptoms as well. Patients are not expected to have all symptoms. profdromerdeniz.com. There may be additional symptoms in those with concomitant chronic diseases or in the elderly. profdromerdeniz.com.

Why is Covid-19 a life-threatening disease?

The main problem seen in Sars-Cov-2 is lung involvement. Sars Cov-2 virus adheres easily to Ace-2 receptors existing on the type-2 cells in the alveoli and enters these cells easily. The virus, which binds to and enters the mainly type 2 cells in the lungs, initiates a series of inflammatory events; Many inflammatory cells come to the lungs. In fact, the lungs almost always respond to foreign particles or microorganisms that come into the lungs, with an inflammatory reaction. This is also the case with Covid-19. profdromerdeniz.com. In a significant part of patients with lung involvement, the process ends with recovery without leaving any significant problems in the lungs, but in some patients, lung involvement may lead to an abnormal inflammatory response, which may lead to widespread involvement in the lungs and severe respiratory failure. For different reasons, the extent of the disease may increase in the lungs and respiratory failure may develop. It may be necessary to give high oxygen to patients with severe respiratory failure with a ventilator. profdromerdeniz.com. Furthermore, patients with Covid-19 may have more coagulation problems than those with other pneumonias. There may be localized clots (thrombi) in the lungs, as well as clots in the great vessels of the lungs. One of the most important factors contributing to respiratory failure is this clot formation observed in Covid-19. Since there are Ace-2 receptors in many organs of the body, such as the heart, other organs of patients with Covid-19 may also be affected by the Sars Cov-2 virus. profdromerdeniz.com.

What is Covid-19 treatment?

There is no definitive treatment for Covid-19. Monoclonal antibodies have been shown to be beneficial in the early stages of the disease. profdromerdeniz.com. Hospitalized patients may benefit from supportive therapy including appropriate hydration, vitamins, blood thinners, cortisone therapy, and oxygen therapy. Intensive care follow-up and the use of ventilators may be necessary for some patients.profdromerdeniz.com.

The most important action to be taken in epidemics is to prevent getting sick and thus preventing the spread of the disease. The most effective method for this action is vaccination. In addition to being vaccinated, it is very important to comply with the rules of isolation/contact and to wear a mask, especially since the Covid-19 disease is highly transmitted by the airborne route. profdromerdeniz.com.

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