The official report from the World Health Organization (WHO) states that Corona Virus (CoV) is an amalgamation of viruses that cause respiratory ailments. These ailments range from a simple common cold to more dire infections like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV).
The initial emergence of this new strain named Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was discovered in China, in the City of Wuhan in December 2019. Only in rare cases are there confirmed cases of transmission from animals to human beings.
The actual cause has not been identified yet although the suspicion is transmission by animals as other coronaviruses such as the above mentioned were transmitted by animals to humans. The first Corona Virus cases were reported from a live animal market hence the speculation.
Scientists and medical teams around the world are working hard around the clock to discover the cause, treatment and possible vaccine. COVID-19 is now a global pandemic that has united this elite team in looking for ways to eradicate it.
Signs, Symptoms and How It Spreads
On average, it takes 5 days for the symptoms of this disease that affects the lungs to present itself. It has however been reported to have an incubation period of up to 14 days. These are the key symptoms you should look out for: a high fever, bluish lips or face, persistent pain and pressure in the chest area, and a dry cough which progresses to breathing difficulties.
COVID-19 spreads quickly from human to human upon contact of respiratory droplets resulting from a sneeze or cough of an infected individual at close quarters. It is thought an infected individual is most contagious when they are at the peak of the infection. Nevertheless, there are cases where an individual did not present symptoms but infected others.
The Virus remains infectious after the infected droplets fall on surfaces and get transferred when you touch your face with the same hands before washing or disinfecting them. They especially have a longer shelf life on metal surfaces.
At-Risk Population
There are a select number of people who are more at risk of getting severe symptoms and presenting with serious complications. People with asthma, pregnant women, those with HIV/AIDS, the older generation and those with an underlying condition such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.
Our focus is going to be on pregnant women and how you can put in measures to prevent yourself and what to expect in case of an infection.
As a pregnant woman, you are at risk despite pregnancy not being an ailment primarily because of the shifts in the immune system. During this shift, the system puts in double effort to protect both you and the baby thereby enhancing and suppressing different parts making you more susceptible to infections.
This is basically why pregnant women are advised to go for regular prenatal checks and to keep up with vitamins and supplements…to boost a depleting immune system so that it can fight off any opportunistic diseases and infections successfully.
Recommended Precautions
Along with the general population, all precautionary measures are to be enforced not only to you as a pregnant woman but everyone around you. Prevention is always better than a cure, especially in this case where there isn’t a known cure yet.
Frequently wash your hands with soap and running water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. Whenever you cough or sneeze direct it towards your elbow or into a disposable tissue which is then immediately disposed and hands washed.
Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, do not maintain any close contact with any unwell individual. Always wipe down surfaces with antiseptic as any saliva or mucous droplets from an infected person can be transmitted when you get in contact with it.
Limit visitors and do away with social gatherings or travels. Everyone has been encouraged to work from home. If you have a case of the common flu, schedule a visit to the hospital for proper diagnosis and prescription then quarantine yourself at home.
Newborn Baby Infection
Sadly, there have been two recent reported cases of newborn infants who tested positive for Corona Virus in the United Kingdom. One case was also reported in China. What is not clear is if they were infected in utero or if they contracted the infection during delivery.
They are all receiving medical treatment with the China case already discharged with a clean bill of health. This goes to show that COVID-19 does not just affect adults meaning once it’s time to deliver, stringent measures need to be in place. The availability of an in-house fully functional NICU is a definite added advantage.
There has not been any evidence to showcase instances of a fetus being infected in utero or of the virus presenting a chance of inducing a miscarriage. There have nevertheless been cases of women presenting with COVID-19 symptoms who have had premature births although it is not conclusive the virus is the cause.
It is not known whether the virus can be transmitted through breastmilk for lactating mothers. Mothers with the common cold are encouraged to continue breastfeeding. For Corona Virus positive mothers, you are advised to continue taking preventative precautions while breastfeeding so as not to infect the baby.
A Positive Diagnosis
It must be devastating testing positive especially with a baby on the way. As much as this is a new strain without any known cure, the survival rate is higher than the fatality rate. A definite sigh of relief despite the ‘doom.’
In Conclusion
By following the medical directives of frequently washing hands and or sanitizing, coughing or sneezing into elbows, immediately disposing of any used tissue, wiping down surfaces with antiseptic among other preventative measures will place you on the safe path.
The greatest measures have got to be keeping a social distance and not attending any mass gathering. Those are volatile conditions where you have no control over. All it takes is just one infected individual to tip the scales.