The word ‘virus’ is not new to us. For decades we have seen many diseases a virus can cause. Viruses are infectious agents that cannot independently replicate and hence require a host cell for its survival. Similarly, the coronavirus that was identified in 2019 as SARS-COV2 is also a type of virus that needs a host cell to attach and proliferate. It infects the host cell replicates itself in no time inside the human body and affects it to a greater extent. The virus follows the cycle of 14 days and the infected person during this stage can be contagious to others as they can transfer the virus to others if not quarantined at the right time.
What is Pneumonia?
Regular pneumonia occurs when a body is attacked by a virus, bacteria, or fungi. It targets the lungs of a person making it inflamed and swollen. It affects the small air sacs of our lungs, known as alveoli, to fill with fluid which can lead to the formation of pus inside the lungs. At this stage, the affected person might feel difficulty in breathing properly. And this breathing issue can become problematic if a person has Covid-19 along with pneumonia.
What is Covid Pneumonia?
Since covid is a virus and pneumonia is caused by a virus, therefore, infection of pneumonia that occurs because of the covid virus is known as Covid Pneumonia. It can affect or damage both the lungs if not treated properly or diagnosed early. In pneumonia, one lung gets affected but because of COVID-19, it can get worse. Hence it becomes important to treat the body as soon as it faces any severe infections.
Symptoms of Covid Pneumonia
If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 then there are high chances that their body will feel fatigued most of the time. The person will suffer from a sore throat, cough and can see the formation of phlegm in their throat. The body will also suffer from constant body ache and recurring fever from time to time which can result in loss of body energy. This can further lead to loss of taste buds and an affected person might lose interest in consuming food which can deteriorate the condition of the body of an affected person.
On the other hand, if Covid-19 infection starts to cause pneumonia then their body will feel tired most of the time because it affects the lungs majorly and damages the sacs and tissues that surround the lungs. And the inflammation in the lungs will become a barrier to their breathing. They will try to breathe rapidly because of shortness of breathing which can make their heartthrob rapidly. Their body will also feel constant dizziness because of the constant loss of energy as their body cells will try to fight the infection.
Who is at risk?
Well, it is likely to occur majorly in older people aged above 60 years or children aged above 5 years. People who are diabetic or suffering from heart diseases are at higher risk. Human beings with low immunity are also prone to infection. It can also easily affect those people who work under the premises of hospitals or nursing homes since they are in constant contact with the infected people. People who work in graveyards are also at higher risk as they frequently come in contact with deceased and infected bodies.
Basic precautions that can be taken to avoid infection
As the covid-pneumonia infection can spread if comes in contact with people having any kind of symptoms, it becomes necessary to take certain measures to avoid infection:
- Sanitization: Sanitize the area and every other thing before using it. We touch hundreds of things every day and cannot avoid their usage in our daily life so it becomes prominent to sanitize them before using anything. This can give a protective shield at some length.
- Avoid crowded places: At this stage when anything and everything can prove harmful to us, it is important to maintain distance from other human beings as much as possible. Avoid going to crowded places and stand at a distance if you are at any such place.
- Wear a mask: You never know when another person begins to sneeze and who is suffering from a cold or any other symptoms. It is highly advisable to wear a mask at these events because our nasal passage can pave an entryway to the virus. Sneezing can cause the release of virus particles in the air and they can be very harmful if inhaled by other human beings. Therefore, carry a mask wherever you go.
- Have a healthy diet: It is highly advisable to include citric acid and green vegetables in your diet. They help to improve our immunity and give strength to fight back the infection. And keep your body hydrated by sipping warm drinks. Avoid consuming cold things like cold drinks or ice creams.
- Consult a doctor: If you think that your body is feeling low or there is constant variation in your temperature then do not think twice to consult a doctor.
Treatment Options
We do not have any solid cure for the COVID-19 yet except for the vaccine to reduce the impact of the virus on the body. So, it becomes necessary to take precautions before any mishap happens or the condition of the person deteriorates. Even after the vaccination, a person suffers from major symptoms then, in that case, you can hospitalize the patient. And if a patient is having breathing issues, then use oxygen cylinders without any delay or keep the patient on the ventilator for constant oxygen supply. These measures can help the patient to get better.
Let us fight for survival
At the stage where the world is under the surveillance of a virus that has affected the lives of humans immensely. It has filled the graveyards in no time. At this stage, neither we can avoid the damage caused by it nor we can run away from further damage. Therefore, it becomes important for all of us to come together and save as many as lives we can. Prevention lies in our hands and one mistake can damage the life of many people around us. It is not easy to live with an infection that causes much death but the least we can do is “FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL” together. Also read- Is COVID-19 variant Omicron worse than Delta variant?
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