According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), UK, it can also infect the urogenital tract of chickens, and eventually spread to various organs in its body. Over the last 70 years, scientists have found that related coronaviruses can infect mice, rats, dogs, cats, turkeys, horses, pigs and cattle.
Following the explosive spread of the new strain of MERS coronavirus from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and into other parts of the world; and the more recent catastrophic Covid 19 pandemic it becomes imperative to learn what this virus is and what damage it can do. More importantly, is the need to protect against infection by understanding how it is spread.
According to 'The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary, Second Edition', the Coronavirus is "a genus in the family Coronaviridae that is associated with upper respiratory tract infections and possibly gastroenteritis in humans." This article deals with important facts regarding the coronaviruses as a whole and, by extension, the new MERS-CoV virus.
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are common viruses that most people get some time in their lives. Human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold.Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface (see below). "Corona" in Latin means "halo" or "crown". There are four main sub-groupings of coronaviruses, known as alpha, beta, gamma, and delta.
Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid-1960s. The seven coronaviruses that can infect people are: alpha coronaviruses 229E and NL63, and beta coronaviruses OC43, HKU1, SARS-CoV (the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS), MERS-CoV (the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS), and more lately SARS-CoV2 (also called Covid 19 virus which causes the Covid 19 disease).
There are many coronaviruses that naturally infect animals. Most of these usually infect only one animal species or, at most, a small number of closely related species, but not people. However, SARS-CoV can infect people and animals, including monkeys, Himalayan palm civets, raccoon dogs, cats, dogs, and rodents. MERS-CoV has also been found to infect people and animals, including camels.
How common are human coronavirus infections?
People around the world commonly get infected with human coronaviruses 229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1. Approximatley 30% of common colds are caused by two human coronaviruses - OC43 and 229E. The exceptions are SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and now SARS-CoV2.SARS-CoV was first recognized in China in November 2002. It caused a worldwide outbreak with 8,098 probable cases including 774 deaths from 2002 to 2003. Since 2004, there have not been any known cases of SARS-CoV infection reported anywhere in the world.
MERS-CoV was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It has since caused illness in people from dozens of other countries. All cases to date have been linked to countries in and near the Arabian Peninsula. CDC continues to closely monitor the MERS situation globally and work with partners to better understand the risks of this virus, including the source, how it spreads, and how infections might be prevented. More about MERS-CoV.
SARS-CoV2 was first recognized in China in late 2019. It is currently an ongoing devastating worldwide pandemic and infection. As at 20 June 2020, WHO reports 8,525,042 confirmed cases worldwide and 456,973 confirmed deaths worldwide making it the most devastating infection worldwide in recent times. SARS-CoV2 (or also called Covid 19) is still ongoing in many countries and territories. More about SARS-CoV2.
Who can get infected?
Most people will get infected with one or more of the common human coronaviruses in their lifetime. Young children are most likely to get infected. However, people can have multiple infections in their lifetime. Read more about current Covid 19 disease.How do I get infected?
The ways that common human coronaviruses spread have not been studied very much. However, the current pandemic prompted an intense study which suggests it is likely that human coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing, and by close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.These viruses may also spread by touching contaminated objects or surfaces then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. See how you can protect yourself and others from getting infected with Covid 19 virus.
When can I get infected?
In the United States, people usually get infected with common human coronaviruses in the fall and winter. However, you can get infected at any time of the year.What are the symptoms?
Common human coronaviruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold, that last for a short amount of time. Symptoms may include runny nose, cough, sore throat, and fever. These viruses can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia. This is more common in people with cardiopulmonary disease or compromised immune systems, or the elderly.MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV2 can cause severe illness. To learn more about MERS Symptoms and Complications, click here. To learn more about SARS-CoV2 Symptoms and Complications, click here.
How can I protect myself?
There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infections. You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by doing the following:- wash your hands often with soap and water
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- avoid close contact with people who are sick
- wear a cloth face mask when out in the public
What should I do if I get sick?
If you have cold-like symptoms, you can help protect others by doing the following:- stay home while you are sick
- avoid close contact with others
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
- clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
How do I get diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider can order laboratory tests on your blood or nose/throat swabs to confirm whether your illness is caused by a common human coronavirus. However, these tests are not used very often because people usually have mild illness. Also, testing may be limited to a few specialized laboratories because human coronaviruses cannot be cultivated in the laboratory easily, unlike the rhinovirus, another cause of the common cold. However, with the Covid-19 disease, throat swabbing tests have never been so important to help control the infection.Are there treatments?
There are no specific treatments for illnesses caused by human coronaviruses.Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own. However, you can do some things to relieve your symptoms:
- take pain and fever medications (Caution: Aspirin should not be given to children)
- use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough
- drink plenty of liquids
- stay home and rest
References(s)
1). World Health Organization: Clean Care is Safer Care. Accessed 20.06.20. Available here: https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/en/
2). Centers for Disease Control: Life is Better with Clean Hands. Accessed 20.06.20. Available here: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/campaign.html
3). Centers for Disease Control: About Coronavirus. Accessed 12.08.13. Available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/index.html
4). Medical News Today: What Are Coronaviruses? What Do Coronaviruses Cause?. Published: 19.02.13. Accessed 02.08.13. Available here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/256521.php
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