COVID-19 is a member of the Corona virus family. Protein spikes cover these viruses.
The spikes help the virus grab and hold onto other cells. The Corona virus family includes familiar illnesses such as the common cold and the deadly SARS virus.
Viruses are like rude guests, they arrive with nothing but instead take over your house! Eating, sleeping on the couch, using your toothbrush and finally stealing the car – leaving you broke and exhausted. Not alive but capable of taking you over.
COVID-19 stands for Corona Virus Disease 2019. The real name of this virus is
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or SARS-Cov-2 for short. In the beginning - this virus infected bats but the virus mutated and moved onto humans. COVID-19 is a new or "novel" virus because humans have not seen this virus before.
The Spikes are unique to Corona Viruses
The spike on the outside of the virus allow the virus to grab on and stick to the cells lining our respiratory track. COVID-19 has the ability to get in other areas of our body - like the gastro-intestinal system. This is why there can be both respiratory symptoms and GI symptoms
SARS-Cov-2 is a light virus - meaning that it can fly further in the air. This is why the virus is so infectious.
Why is it that some people are really sick and others not so much?
It not the virus that makes you feel bad, it is our own immune system. The immune system tries to evict the unwelcome houseguests by making it hot (a fever), and by trying to kick them through coughing or sneeze.
No worries for the virus, it just travels onto the next person. COVID-19 travels a minimum of 6 feet and is easily inhaled by the next victim. One sick person can infect up to 4 or more other people.
It is like the flu -right?
SARS-Cov-2 is from a different family of viruses. The flu virus is from the influenza family and it does not have any spikes.
The symptoms can look the same, though. One big difference is that COVID019 can make victims really short of breath.
How can you prevent the spread of COVID-19
This virus can not live for long outside of a person. So protect yourself and others by putting barriers between yourself and the virus. Avoiding crowds, staying at least 6 feet away from
other people, and wearing a face covering are all examples of useful barriers.
Would you like to know more?
Register for the COVID-19 training and read more about symptoms and prevention! You will receive a certificate of completion after completing the course . Go to registration and RSV for the COVID-19 Training https://www.healthskillsacademy.com/contact-and-pricing
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