Theme: Covid-19

1) Origins and definition

2) The causes
3) Symptoms
4) The solutions
5) Conclusion

1) Origins and definition

Covid-19 is an emerging infectious disease pandemic caused by a new coronavirus

discovered in the city of Wuhan in China. It is called coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid-19,
caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 . It appeared on November 16, 2019 in Wuhan in
Hubei province ( in central China ), before spreading around the world . The origins are still
little known. Some researchers believe the disease began in early 2020 because a wild animal
transmitted the virus to humans in China's Huanan market . However, other researchers
defend the hypothesis of a laboratory leak at the Wuhan institute. But we remember that this
disease started in China.

On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) office in China was
informed of cases of pneumonia ( acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs) of
unknown etiology detected in Wuhan city, Hubei province. in China. On January 5, 2020, the
WHO decided to monitor the situation in Wuhan, this should call for caution. Remember that
according to studies published between February and May 2020, the disease appears between
October and December 2019 and more precisely at the end of November 2019. The first
patient diagnosed (patient zero ) is identified on December 1 , 2019 17
at Wuhan in Hubei
province , central China , and on December 16, 2019, the first hospitalization was noted.

The World Health Organization (WHO) then alerted the People's Republic of China
, then declared a state of public health emergency of international concern on January 30,
when 10,000 contaminations and 213 deaths had already been recorded in China . The disease
spread outside China from January and on January 13, 2020, a first case was discovered
outside mainland China. Cases were discovered in two ships and on February 25, 2020 the
number of new cases reported daily outside China was higher than in the country and the
disease began to spread to other countries in the world. Thus implying the implementation of
barrier measures to protect oneself.
 2) The causes

The virus that causes COVID-19 is officially known as severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It affects both animals and humans, only human
coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections.

Covid-19 can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. It is also
possible to come into contact with the virus through aerosols (droplets small enough to float
in the air) if an infected person coughs or sneezes near you. These aerosols remain in the air
for long periods of time. You can also catch the virus by touching infected surfaces and then
touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

The following people are at high risk of exposure:

 People who regularly interact with people who are not fully vaccinated
 People who care for people who have or may have COVID-19
 People who work in environments where they are exposed to many people
 People who work in congregate settings such as correctional facilities, long-term care
facilities, shelters or group residences.

3) Symptoms

People infected with COVID-19 may have very mild or no symptoms or, on the
contrary, serious illness or even death. Most infections are generally mild and symptoms
appear up to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19.

Common symptoms include:

 A new or worsening cough, fever, fatigue, chills, muscle pain, headache, nausea,
vomiting, or diarrhea

Other symptoms include:

 Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, pain or difficulty swallowing,

reddening of the eyes (conjunctivitis), decreased appetite
 Symptoms of Covid-19 can vary from person to person, by age group. However,
some people may develop other, more serious complications, such as pneumonia or
respiratory failure. The risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 is higher for certain
populations, including people who are not fully vaccinated, pregnant women, adults aged 60
and older (risk increases with age ), people with underlying chronic conditions (including
heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease), people with obesity, and people with weakened
immune systems. In some cases, COVID-19 infection can cause long-term symptoms that last
weeks or months after initial recovery.

The syndrome can affect people differently depending on their age. Symptoms that commonly
affect adults include:

 Fatigue, memory problems, difficulty sleeping, shortness of breath, anxiety and

depression, general pain and discomfort, difficulty thinking or concentrating, post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms that commonly affect children include:

 Fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, a
stuffy or runny nose, difficulty thinking or concentrating

4) The solutions

To fight against Covid-19, the WHO recommends some tips to protect yourself
against the risk of coronavirus infection.

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or with hydroalcoholic gel.
2. Do you feel the urge to cough or sneeze? Do it in a tissue or in the crook of your
elbow, then wash your hands.
3. Stay at least one meter away from other people, especially if they are coughing,
sneezing or have a fever.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
5. Avoid direct contact with live animals. If this is not possible, be sure to wash your
hands after contact.
6. Do not eat raw or undercooked animal products and wash hands, clean surfaces and
utensils after use.
7. If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.
 In case of infection, several medications to treat, such as remdesivir and
bamlanivimab , nirmatrelvir , ritonavir, can be taken orally at home. Availability and
eligibility criteria for covid-19 treatments may vary by province and territory. However,
several vaccines against covid-19 are authorized, including the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and
the Moderna vaccine. It is recommended to get fully vaccinated against covid-19 to reduce the
risk of becoming infected as well as the risk of experiencing other consequences related to a
serious infection, such as hospitalization.

Since covid-19 can spread from person to person, practicing good hand hygiene is
one of the most important things you can do to avoid becoming infected. Whenever possible,
wear a non-medical face mask especially when in a public place. Avoid touching your eyes,
nose and mouth with dirty hands. To try to minimize your risk of exposure to the virus by
avoiding contact with sick people. If you are sick, you should cover your nose and mouth
when you sneeze or cough.

Conclusion

Covid-19 is a pandemic that has disrupted many countries around the world. The
spread of the virus caused the global economic crisis, the closure of borders, and the
implementation of containment measures. Today, thanks to these measures, countries have
been able to regain tranquility but several people have died during this pandemic.