Wuhan Coronavirus: Is it a real threat?

Coronaviruses constitute a large family of viruses that was discovered in the 1960s, but whose origin is still unknown. As such, coronaviruses are viruses named for their corona-like spots on the surface of the virus. They are RNA viruses with a common viral envelope.

Virus reservoirs appear in certain animals, at first it could be bats which then transmitted it to camels or small mammal species (civet…). Afterwards, the transmission passes to humans, and now from human to human in certain cases.

They are responsible for various human diseases ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Three epidemic outbreaks have been described in recent years:

  1. SARS-CoV: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). November 2002, in China. The reservoir was bats.
  2. MERS-CoV: causing Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) (2012 in Saudi Arabia) Reservoir; camel.
  3. Cov: appeared at the end of December 2019 in the city of WUHAN, China.

What do we know to date about Wuhan coronavirus?

Wuhan coronavirus is transmitted not only from animals to humans, but it is transmitted from human to human. It does not appear to be as serious as SARS or as lethal as MERS, and its origin appears to have been in an animal market.

Should we be worried about Wuhan coronavirus?

The health services are working on it. We are in the first months of the disease, so it is still early to draw conclusions. For the moment, the infection has spread throughout Asia and has recently reached Europe, with cases in Italy and Spain. However, the World Health Organization is asking for calm.

How is it transmitted? Can it be transmitted from person to person and what are the risks?

It is transmitted from animal to human or human to human. Human-to-human transmission generally occurs via the respiratory route, through respiratory droplets that are evacuated by coughing, sneezing or even talking.

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What do we not know about this disease?

The main symptoms are the following:

  • Runny and runny nose
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • General discomfort
  • Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)

Symptomatology has a very long spectrum and of course the most severe symptoms affect the elderly, the immunocompromised and carriers of chronic diseases.

However, we must insist that, as always, the best way to fight this type of infection is to apply all possible preventive measures.

Maintaining basic hygiene, washing hands frequently and avoiding contact with infected people (protecting eyes, hands, mouth…) should be sufficient. At the same time, the use of masks can help to avoid contagion.

The definitive diagnosis can be made with a nose and throat culture.

Could coronavirus become an international public health emergency?

If prevention measures are taken seriously and followed, we should be able to control the virus. The authorities are doing and taking all measures to avoid reaching this extreme.

Is our country prepared to face such a virus?

I have no doubts, in case of certain diagnosis, the patient must be admitted and the necessary isolation measures must be taken to guarantee both his safety and that of his relatives. Treatment should include high-dose antiviral drugs and support measures.

What are the chances that the coronavirus is a false alarm, as was the case with influenza A, for example?

That possibility exists, it all depends on the ways in which the population is informed. We should not be alarmist.

This type of problem has to be managed by professionals who cannot minimize the situation, but we should not be alarmist.

These are serious problems where it is important that there is a worldwide understanding and close collaboration between authorities.

For more information, consult a specialist in Internal Medicine.