Review Article - Origin, Symptoms, Transmission and Preclusions of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

A novel coronavirus commonly known as COVID-19 has resulted in an ongoing outbreak of viral pneumonia. This pandemic started from Wuhan City, China and has spread throughout most parts of the world (210 countries). COVID-19 is a large sized, enveloped, positive stranded RNA virus. Out of the four known genera, alpha and beta corona viruses are the most commonly recognized viruses infecting human beings. COVID-19 is a new virus that is highly contagious. It spreads through infected persons in its prodromal stage which suggest its transmission is not likely through air. COVID-19 can affect people of all age groups and mostly results in the death of people with weak immune systems. Its most common reported symptoms are fever, fatigue, dry cough, lymphopenia, raised levels of lactate de-hydrogenase and, bilateral patchy shadows or ground glass opacity in the lungs (opacities may be mild damage of one lobe or all five lobes). This virus has the potential to affect pregnant women, however, its prevalence was not noticed in new-borns. Time to recovery is generally two weeks. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, observing hygienic practices like frequent hand washing, social distancing and drinking warm water and chloroquine phosphate are some of the measures to mitigate the effect of cronavirus.