What You Need to Know about the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

A new (novel) virus, called the coronavirus (2019-nCoV), has alarmed the public and health care providers alike in recent weeks. It emerged from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and has rapidly spread to Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States. The first cases were reported on December 31, 2019, according to LiveScience.com. 

Early indications are that the virus may have come from the Huanan seafood market. It was initially thought to be connected to human infection from animals sold at the market who carried the coronavirus. But continued infection in people with no connection to the market has pointed to human-to-human infection. At this point, it is unknown how the virus is being spread. It appears to be spreading during the incubation period, before a person begins to develop symptoms, making it especially dangerous.

Symptoms are believed to appear from 2-14 days after exposure. Common symptoms are fever, cough, and fatigue. Some less common symptoms are coughing up blood or sputum that may be blood-tinged, headache, and diarrhea. Complications have included acute respiratory distress syndrome, anemia, acute cardiac injury, and secondary infection. 

Treatment for now consists of supporting the patient's systems while the body fights the disease. No antiviral treatment has been effective against 2019-nCoV. Corticosteroids have been administered in some cases, but it is unknown whether these treatments were beneficial. Trials are now being conducted to find effective treatments and a vaccine against the disease.

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that those who either have the disease or are being tested for it wear a mask. This may prevent the transmission of disease through larger fluid droplets. But according to Fox News, Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University, and the medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, has warned that wearing surgical face masks won't prevent the spread of the disease.

A respirator may be more effective if worn correctly. But for now, conscientious hand-washing is recommended. The CDC has listed the following ways to minimize exposure to this virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Sources: 

https://www.livescience.com/new-china-coronavirus-faq.html

https://www.contagionlive.com/

https://www.foxnews.com/health/do-surgical-masks-protect-against-coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html