As more information about SARS - CoV-2 , the novel coronavirus that make the disease COVID-19 , is unveil , researchers are gradually piecing together the large puzzle of just how this virus develop , spreads , and infects its master of ceremonies .
Mostrecent figuresconfirm more than 200,000 case around the humankind , result in nearly 9,000 deaths . However , it is important to remark that this number is convert by the hour . To see what the research community does and does n’t know about COVID-19 , IFLScience talk withDr Ellen Foxman , Assistant Professor of the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine . She note that there is still much to be attain about the virus and data is alter speedily . She adds that a thoroughgoing reexamination of know research is also availablehere .
IFLScience : Can you please limn the key stages of contagion in people and how long each typically last ?
Dr Foxman : We are still teach about this computer virus , but for the people who become ill , the prison term from photo to the onset of symptoms is broadly aroundfive to seven days , but can range from zero to 24 24-hour interval . The most common symptoms are febrility and cough . Many mass also report sore pharynx and muscle and joint aching . Over half of people spring up shortness of breathing spell . A orotund study of over 40 thousand cases in China reported that about 80 percent of cases had mild illness , 15 percent had austere illness , and 5 percent were critically ominous . hospitalize patient role stayed in the hospital for 12 days on average .
However , we do n’t have the full story on this yet . Early in the egression of a new disease , the people who seek wellness care are usually the the great unwashed who are the sickest , so most of the information that we have up to this item is from individuals with more serious unwellness . It is also possible that the computer virus causes mild malady or no symptoms at all in many more individuals , but we will not know this until there ismore widespread testingfor the computer virus throughout the community .
We do n’t have too much datum yet on computer virus shedding , but late studies show that it is potential for the computer virus to be drop throughout the illness , and even after the patient recovers .
IFLS : What symptom are similar to other respiratory illness like SARS , MERS , and influenza ?
F : All of these viruses can stimulate feverishness , coughing , and shortness of breath . All of these computer virus can also do hard ventilation problem in some individuals , with SARS - CoV1 and MERS - CoV being the most likely to cause serious ventilation problems and major illness . SARS - CoV1 and MERS - CoV are not currently circulating in the human universe , so if you have these symptom you are very unlikely to have SARS - CoV1(2003 ) or MERS . However , flu and COVID19 viruses can have very exchangeable symptoms and be difficult to recognize without getting a test . A bad remainder is that for influenza , we have drug for discussion and a preventive vaccine ; however , we do not have these option quite yet for COVID19 .
IFLS : What have COVID-19 so novel ?
This is a unexampled virus for the human universe , having lately thwart from fauna into humans . This means that the human universe does not have pre - existingimmune defensesagainst this virus . Because of this , it is easier for the virus to circulate from soul to individual and to do unwellness .
IFLS : Even if someone is not experience symptom , what should they do tomitigatethe further cattle ranch of the computer virus ?
fluorine : The best thing to do is tolimit contact lens with others , especially others who are vulnerable such as the older or those with pre - existing continuing wellness condition .
IFLS : It appear that different age groups are impacted differently . Why is that ?
fluorine : That is a fascinating enquiry . It appears that baby can become infect , shed the virus , and even have evidence of lung infection on aesculapian imaging , but stillnot get very serious symptoms . This may be due to physiological divergence in lung biology between small fry and adult , departure in the immune response between tyke and grownup , or other factors we have yet to learn . On the other hired hand , the risk of having a serious illness go up significantly with honest-to-goodness long time , with individuals over 60 being more susceptible to serious illness and the great unwashed over 80 have the eminent risk of dangerous illness and death .
