This type of coronavirus is still under study, but three main stages of the disease have been identified.
According to the World Health Organization, Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause mild, moderate, or severe respiratory infections. The most recent strain that today affects more than 170 countries in the world was named COVID-19.
It is proven that This infection is transmitted through respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth that are expelled when coughing or sneezing. Likewise, when coming into contact with an infected object, then touching your face without first washing them with soap and water.
According to the WHO, at least 80% of people who contract the virus will experience mild symptoms; 14% will have difficulty breathing; and the remaining 6% will suffer severe illness: lung failure, septic shock and risk of death.
Doctors Aaron Richterman, from Brigham And Women's Hospital, and Eric A Meyerowitz, from Massachusetts General Hospital, did a review of the topic called Covid-19: Describing a new disease, in which they point out that, in general terms, the disease has three stages:
1. Asymptomatic stage: This occurs when the virus begins to slowly invade the body and it can take up to seven days before the infected patient shows symptoms.
2. Initial acute stage: People who arrive At this stage they present symptoms such as fever, sore throat, general malaise, difficulty breathing and cough. This phase lasts up to seven days from the onset of symptoms.
The fever intensifies because the body is trying to eliminate the virus and some patients lose their appetite, as well as their sense of smell and taste. At this stage, most infected people resolve their discomfort by taking care of themselves at home.
3. Respiratory stress stage: People with risk factors can reach this stage, who They may begin to develop pneumonia and, gradually, difficulty breathing, so it is important that they seek medical attention. The most critical case of this phase is when the patient suffers from what doctors call acute respiratory distress syndrome, which occurs when the lungs are unable to supply the organs with oxygen due to their weakening. In addition, organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys can be seriously compromised.
Risk factors that can complicate the health status of someone with the disease are: be over 60 years old, suffer from chronic diseases related to high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and kidney complications, cancer or some autoimmune disease.
According to the WHO, the symptoms of this type of coronavirus are generally mild, especially in children and young adults. “However, they can also be severe, requiring hospitalization in around one in five infected people,” the institution says.
