Coronavirus COVID-19
Known as: COVID-19 - CORONAVIRUS
About: Virus family - (includes SARS, MERS)
Microscope: Spherical structure with surface projections that make it look like a crown
What can it do: Coronavirus can cause illnesses from the common cold, to severe respiratory illness such as pneumonia.
The family of virus also affect animals including cattle, birds, wildlife and domestic animals such as dogs and cats.
Coronovirus can be transmitted between animals and humans and so new strains are possible, making this a very naughty virus affecting people around the world.
You can read about transmission between people and animals here
Help: Although people who catch coronavirus do well on the whole with the same treatments used for cold and flu, vulnerable people who have existing respiratory conditions must seek advice quickly from their doctor to make sure they get treatment right away.
Antibiotics can be used when a person is very sick and the disease develops, other than that, the best thing to do if you are sick is to rest, stay away from other people, use disposable items such as paper tissues and to wear a mask to stop the spread of the disease to others.
Infectious rating: Coronavirus is very infectious and is spread in two main ways. Between people through coughing and sneezing and touching surfaces that may have been in contact with an infected person.
It is also possible to catch the virus from eating animal products that are infected which is why all animal products must be cooked correctly and prepared in a clean way to stop the spread of the virus. Hand washing is a critical part of stopping the spread of coronavirus.
I feel sick: Coronavirus can cause coughing, sneezing, fever, shortness of breath, and in severe cases pneumonia and respiratory difficulty and even death. Symptoms may not occur until 1-14 days after you are exposed to the virus so you should stay isolated from others if you feel you may put yourself or others at risk.
Skin symptoms: None known
Lung symptoms: Respiratory distress, shortness of breath, cough
Tummy/intestine symptoms:None Known
GEOGRAPHY AND STATISTICS
Coronavirus is known to exist around the world.