Corona virus-induced flu which originated at Wuhan, China is spreading fast. The deadly disease has been declared as a worldwide health emergency by WHO. Read more about the epidemic & learn how to prevent a potential infection. The outbreak of 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a rapidly evolving epidemic that emerged in Wuhan, China has led to a quarantine of more than 50 million people. As China, the World’s most populous country has come to a lockdown, Public health experts are still unsure about how deadly or contagious coronavirus is, and whether it is also transmitted by people, who show no symptoms. With more than six countries having confirmed human to human transmission, World Health Organization (W.H.O) has declared it as a global health emergency, whilst cases in China and the resultant death toll continue to rise.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a family of RNA virus which typically cause the common cold and upper respiratory infections. The name Coronavirus comes from the Latin word corona meaning crown. Under an electron microscope, Coronavirus has crown-like spikes on its surface. Three strains of Coronavirus are deadly: Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and now the 2019-nCoV, which is a new strain, previously not seen in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they originate in animals and then spread to humans. Though not confirmed, current speculation is that the coronavirus spread from bats or snakes to humans and from thereon, human to human transmission took place. With a fatality rate of about 2.2%, it spreads through droplet infection, when an infected person breathes out, coughs or sneezes. It can also spread via contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or railings.

Symptoms

W.H.O has estimated the incubation period is somewhere around two to ten days before symptoms appear, but there can be anecdotal accounts of “symptomless spreading” by someone infected, but unaware. Since its emergence, the number of people infected by coronavirus doubles every 7.4 days, which shows its rapid spread.

Confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV have symptoms ranging from mild sickness to being severely ill and in some cases death. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough/ Sore throat
• Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties

In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death.

Steps and Measures taken

There is no vaccine or treatment protocol in place for treating the new virus. The best way to prevent the infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

Wuhan, the heart of the outbreak, is completely sealed, transportation and airway restrictions are adopted and screening at airports is done to contain the infection from spreading. Voluntary evacuations of foreign nationals are underway

Challenges ahead of us

• There is no treatment available other than symptomatic relief
• Diagnosis is a challenge as the initial symptoms are similar to the common cold
• The virus has already started to mutate

Who are at risk?

Although all people are at risk of contracting the virus, people with reduced chance of survival are:

• Those above the age of 65
• Children under the age of two
• People with underlying health conditions or a weak immune system

W.H.O & Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India has recommended the following measures to be observed to restrict the infection from spreading:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub (with at least 60 % alcohol) or soap and water
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
• When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals
• The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices
• Avoid traveling if you have fever and cough
• Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms
• Avoid all non-essential travels to China

If you have been to China, or any other place identified with the outbreak of Coronavirus, and feel sick with fever or cough within 14 days, don’t hesitate to seek medical help right away and avoid close contact with others and wear a facemask.

Ayurveda View on Coronavirus disease

Uttarayana indicates the ascent of the sun or northward movement of the sun. In this period the sun and the wind are powerful. The sun takes away the strength of the people and the cooling quality of the earth. It brings increase in the Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), and Katu (pungent) Rasa (taste), respectively, which brings about dryness in the body and reduces the Bala (strength). It is also called Adana Kala. According to modern science, this can be compared with the gradual movement of earth around the sun to the position, in which the rays of the sun falls perpendicularly at 30 degree meridian of the North Pole on June 21st every year, called as summer solstice. The northward journey of the Sun from Tropic of Capricorn to Tropic of Cancer happens. During Uttarayana the seasonal changes in Indian subcontinent is from Shishira (winter) to Vasanta (spring) and to Grishma (summer). The period can be compared to mid-January to mid-July, when warmness and dryness in weather increases. It has an overall debilitating effect on environment, to which human being is also a part.The approximate time is from mid-March to mid-May. This season is considered as season of flowering and origin of new leaves. Predominant Rasa and Mahabhuta during this season are Kashaya (astringent), and Prithvi and Vayu, respectively. Strength of the person remains in medium degree, vitiation of Kapha Dosha occurs and Agni remains in Manda state.

Diet regimen

• One should take easily digestible foods. Among cereals, old barley, wheat, rice, and others are preferred.
• Among pulses, lentil, Mugda, and others, can be taken.
• Food items tasting Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), and Kashaya (astringent) are to be taken.
• Besides those, honey is to be included in the diet.
• Meats like that of Shahsa (rabbit), which are easy to digest can be taken.
• Foods which are hard to digest are to be avoided. Those which are Sheeta (cold), Snigdha (viscous), Guru (heavy), Amla (sour), Madhura (sweet) are not preferred. New grains, curd, cold drinks, and so on, are also to be prohibited.

Lifestyle

• One should use warm water for bathing purpose, may do exercise during Vasant Ritu.
• Udvartana (massage) with powder of Chandana (Santalum album), Kesara (Crocus sativus), Agaru, and others.
• Kavala (gargle- Rakpachak Kwath)
• Dhooma ( Dhupan-Fumigation- Nishapatradi, Maheshwar Dhupan or Dashanga Agad dhupan)
• Anjana (collyrium)
• Evacuative measures, such as Vamana and Nasya are advised.
• Day-sleep is strictly contraindicated during this season.