What is coronavirus?

 “Coronavirus” itself. This term is used to refer to a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses, such as colds and flu-like symptoms. The particular virus causing this current outbreak is referred to as SARS-CoV-2, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is thought that SARS-CoV-2 was originally passed from an animal source to humans and began spreading rapidly around the globe in late 2019. 



The next coronavirus definition to understand is “COVID-19”, which stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019. This is the name given to the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 when it infects a human host. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing - although some infected individuals may not experience any symptoms at all. As we are learning more about this virus every day, there could still be additional symptoms discovered in the future. 

When talking about how quickly COVID-19 can spread from person to person, it is important to understand two more key coronavirus definitions: transmission and contagion. Transmission occurs when an individual comes into contact with another person who is infected with SARS-CoV-2, either through close contact or contact with an object contaminated by the virus (known as fomite transmission)



Coronavirus in 2023

It has been almost four years since the coronavirus pandemic first broke out, and much has changed in the world since then. In early 2020, governments around the world shut down businesses and ordered people to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus. Schools, workplaces, entertainment venues and even entire countries went into lockdown. Now, as we move closer to 2023, life has started to return back to normal – but only partially.



Although a great deal of progress has been made over the last few years in terms of containing and managing the coronavirus, there are still lingering challenges that need to be addressed if we are to fully restore our societies and economies. Vaccines have played a vital role in providing protection against COVID-19 but their efficacy can vary greatly depending on many factors such as where they were manufactured or which population they were tested on. 

Furthermore, despite immense progress with regard to contact tracing, some regions still suffer from outbreaks due to lack of resources and limited capacity for proper testing. This can be especially dangerous for those in vulnerable communities who might not have access to adequate medical care or live in overcrowded settings that are conducive to disease transmission. As well as health issues, it is essential that financial support continues for those most affected by job losses or drops in income caused by this global pandemic.



In spite of these obstacles though, scientists have worked tirelessly over the last few years and thanks to their dedication there have been multiple developments made in treatments and vaccines that give us hope for the future. In particular, monoclonal antibodies — antibody molecules artificially engineered from living cells — have shown great promise in preventing severe cases of coronavirus infection while mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer/BioNTech’s BNT162b2 enable greater flexibility in developing new vaccines with shorter timelines than traditional methods used before now. 

At this current point in time, 2023 is starting off looking hopeful; with fewer lockdowns around the world thanks largely due to an increase in accessibly available vaccines over time combined with efforts such as improved contact tracing technologies. Despite all of these advances however, much still needs to be done before we can truly move beyond the shadow of this global pandemic; especially with more contagious variants appearing from time to time leading experts believe that continuing vaccination programs will remain necessary until enough immunity is established within our populations and regular health monitoring continues until this becomes a reality.

Coronavirus symptoms and prevention

One of the primary ways to protect yourself from contracting coronavirus is to take necessary preventive steps, including wearing masks when out in public, washing hands regularly with soap and water, avoiding close contact with those who are ill or displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, and maintaining social distancing. Additionally, receiving regular vaccinations can help boost your immunity levels against potential exposure. 



When it comes to identifying coronavirus symptoms in ourselves or others, there are a few key indicators that should be taken seriously. Common early signs include a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C), dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing. These are followed by more serious symptoms such as confusion or delirium, bluish lips or face, chest pain and trouble waking up from sleep. If you experience any of these severe warning signs it is important to seek medical attention right away as they can signify severe infection or complications related to coronavirus. 

In addition to following all necessary preventative protocols outlined by public health officials like washing your hands often and wearing masks while out in public, there are several other things that you can do to reduce your risk of becoming infected with COVID-19: stay at least six feet away from people not living in your home; limit unnecessary travel; avoid large gatherings; practice proper respiratory hygiene (like coughing into a tissue or sleeve); get plenty of rest and eat well balanced meals; avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth; clean surfaces regularly; avoid sharing dishes utensils or other personal items; stay home if you're sick and finally get tested if you have been exposed or have any coronavirus symptoms. 



The key to staying healthy during this time lies in staying informed about all necessary protocols for prevention as well as knowing what warning signs to look out for so that one can take timely action should they display any of them. Coronavirus is still very much a reality but through our combined efforts in adhering to preventative guidelines and remaining cognizant of our own physical states as well as those around us we will all come out of this pandemic healthier than ever before!