COVID-19 infection depends on the virulence of the Virus and length of the exposure
There are certain diseases which generally involve close person to person contact for spreading the infection. Among these are infections of the upper respiratory tracts, such as, pneumonia, tuberculosis and common cold and COVID-19. Viruses are very minute structures discharged in the form of droplets on coughing, sneezing and even breathing. They are capable of infecting the person who comes in contact with the patient. The transmission may take place by sharing with the patients utensils, towels, cloths, or even by the use of common toilets, washrooms etc. There are even reports that an infected person can also transmit the virus while travelling in the air conditioned - bus, train or airplane, resulting in transmitting infection to the fellow passengers.
Dr. Li Wen Liang, a doctor from China was punished for highlighting the truth to the world about coronavirus. Jain et al. (2020) analyzed genomic variants in the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from India and their possible impact on the efficacy of molecular diagnostics. Mutation occurs very fast in the genome of this virus. The SARS-CoV-2 has been continuously evolving and has an estimated substitution rate of 1.19 x 10-3 to 1.31 x 10-3 per site per year (Liu et al., 2020). The virulence of the virus affects the infection and the extent to which patients' vital body parts are affected.
According to Dr. Li Wen Liang, certain chemicals such as methylxanthine, theobromine and theophylline found in coffee can ward off this group of viruses. Actually, coffee plants synthesize these substances in their cells as secondary metabolites to ward off insects and other animals.
Mild symptoms with moderate viral load, qualifies for home isolation of the patient. Oxygen saturation levels need to be monitored several times a day to ensure that oxygen saturation does not drop below 95 %.The temperature of the patient may be recorded 3-4 times in a day. The medication should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Under the supervision of the specialist, Favipiravir, Azithromycin, Paracetamol, HCQ, Aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc may be given to the patient. Confidence of the person needs to remain high. The recovery rate is very high because of the awareness and adopting remedial measures. Also, the mutation occurs very fast in the vial genome which affected the infection.
The plasma therapy requires taking blood from the COVID-19 recovered patient and using this plasma and antibodies from that blood on to the patients suffering from COVID-19 infection. There are patients who are benefited with convalescent plasma because it is seen as one of the ways to generate antibodies against the virus. Till the vaccine is available, plasma therapy is seen as a supportive therapy to insert antibodies inside the body. Several politicians and some prominent personalities in the world who have suffered from this virus have donated their plasma, as a good gesture, in the interest of the patients. Several hospitals in the USA and Europe are making money for this expensive therapy.
Selected References
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30382-2
(Image Source: ViralZone2020 / SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics)
Tags: Covid19, vaccine, cure, virus, plasma therapy
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