CORONAVIRUS: Prevention from Viral
Diseases - Dr TN Chugh.
SIRSA NEWS
30 March 2020
Pictures and Videos: GS
Mann
ABOUT CORONA VIRUS
Corona are a large group of virus, more common among animals in rare
cases. The scientist give “Zoonotic” meaning, these can be transmitted from
animals to humans. These virus can make people sick, to undertake respiratory
track illness, similar to a common cold. Human corona viruses most commonly
spread from one infected person to others through:
1.
Air coughing and
sneezing.
2.
Close personal contact
such as touching of shaking hands.
3.
Touching an object or
surface with the virus on it, like mouth, nose or eyes. Rarely before washing
your hands with fecal contamination.
Symptoms:
Soar throat, running nose, Headache, Cough, Fever, Feeling of being
unwell, weak immune system, Respiratory track illness like pneumonia or
bronchitis.
PREVENTION: Washing your hands often with soap and water; Avoiding
touching nose, eyes, mouth with unwashed hands; Avoid close contact with people
who are sick; if you are mildly sick, keep yourself hydrated, stay at home and
rest; See your health care.
Prevention from Viral Diseases
‘Virus’
are very small, complex particles of nucleic acids and proteins which act as
infectious agents and replicate (reproduce) only inside the living cells of
other organisms. Virus can infect all forms of animals, plants to
micro-organisms including bacteria. The Latin word ‘Virion’ stands for
‘poison’. The first discovery of Tobacco mosaic virus was made by D. Ivanovsky
in 1892. There are millions types of virus in all kinds of natural environment.
They are very small in size, 20 to 1000 nm, about one hundredth of certain
bacteria, and can only be observed through electron microscope (not by any
optical microscope). The virion particles contain the genetic chemical of DNA
or RNA covered with protein coat called ‘capsid’. These particles may get
protected by lipid membrane when they acquire crystalline form outside their
host cells.
They
are now being considered as form of life that interact with other living
organisms because: they possess the quality to reproduce similar young ones;
presence of genetic material single or double stranded DNA or RNA; can undergo
changes (mutations) due to change of host or environment. The nonliving
properties are that they do not live independently; do not have the organelles
of ribosome, mitochondria, nucleus, chromosomes; they are unable to produce
their own proteins, energy and genetic material.
Viral diseases:
Their
illnesses are communicable (direct or indirect) and many are fatal. The common
human disorders are---Influenza, Chickenpox, Smallpox, Polio, AIDS, Herpes, Measles,
Mumps, Rubella, Bad cold, Shingles, Viral Gastro-enteritis, Meningitis,
Viral-hepatitis, Dengue fever, Trachoma, Chicken-goonia, Viral pneumonia,
Rabies and many more. Most common ways of infections from carrier person to
other persons include:
•
Breathing in air borne droplets contaminated with virus.
•
Taking food and drinking water polluted with virus or containing microbes
infected with virus.
•
Having sexual contact with infected person.
•
Wrong type of blood transfusion.
•
Indirect transmission from infected persons through mosquitoes, ticks, field
mice, cats, dogs, other attacking animals etc.
•
Direct contact or touching with certain host plants.
•
Touching body surface (skin) or body fluid contaminated with virus.
Resistance
from diseases:
Immunity
is the ability to abstain, withstand and oppose the disease causing organisms
(pathogens) and their toxic products (poisons) in the host. The study of immune
system is referred as immunology. Antigens are the wrong substances when
introduced into the body of host, excite or stimulate the production of
antibodies. Antigens are generally proteins but a few may be carbohydrates,
lipids or nucleic acids. Antibodies are proteins in the form of immune-globins
(IgS) which are produced by B- lymphocytes and plasma cells. The antibodies get
generated by mature plasma cells at very fast rate (about 2000 molecules per
minute). The immune-globulins are grouped in five iso-types, namely, Ig-A,
Ig-D, Ig-E, Ig-G and Ig-M. They differ from each other in size, charge,
carbohydrate contents and amino acid composition, for instance, Ig- G has small
size, most abundant (about 75% of total) and effective, whereas, Ig-G is five times
larger in size.
Proper use of Vaccination:
Vaccine
is specific medicine, used to promote the production of antibodies. It is
prepared from the suspension or extract of dead or weakened germs of a disease
which can be injected into a healthy or diseased person. It helps to provide
temporary or permanent active or passive immunity by inducing antibodies
formation. The fundamental truth of vaccination or immunization is based on the
property of ‘memory’ of prevention and protection of diseases through microbes
(immune system). Vaccines were not created as treatment of virus; rather these
are tools which can be used to prevent certain viral disorders---Polio virus
during early childhood in five doses, MMR from 9 to 15 months in one dose,
Chicken pox up to 12 months in five doses, Hepatitis-A and B in the form of
passive immune serum globulins, Measles virus etc. We should realize the
concept that prevention is better than cure.
Important viral diseases with ill effects and prevention:
Influenza:
It is caused by highly infectious Myxovirus. It results in fever, headache,
pain all over body, bad effects on nose, throat and air passage, sneezing and
cough. In neglected cases, pneumonia, bad cold and ear infection may also cause
complications. There is no vaccine and specific drug, but doctor advice is
beneficial.
Measles:
Caused by a type of Paramyxovirus and transmitted by direct contact, cough and
sneezing through patient. In the early stage it causes chill, infection of nose
and fever but later on red blocky skin rashes. The disease can be prevented by
isolation of patient, protection from cold and direct air, cleaning body with
warm water, Edmoston B-vaccine prepared from chick embryo and injecting
globulins.
Mumps:
Caused by a type of Paramyxovirus through direct contact with patient and
saliva. It results in headache, backache, excess spoiling of saliva and taste
buds, swelling in jaws and ears. Asprin is given to relieve pain, advised rest,
give alternate hot and cold pack to neck.
Chickenpox:
Caused by Varicella virus through direct contact with patient and indirect use
of infected objects of patient. It brings fever, skin eruptions with red spots,
vesicles and scab formation in about 36 hours. The scabs are not formed like
small pox. The disease can be prevented by isolation of patient and the use of
Zoster Immune globulins (zig). The patient should avoid scraping, scabs be
collected and burnt. The persons taking care should boil and clean the articles
used by patient.
Trachoma:
It is inflammatory disease of eyes. The infection results in swelling,
discomfort and discharge of fluids from eyes. It is caused due to direct
contact of tears from patient or indirect contact of towels, pillows,
handkerchief of patients. The antibiotic commonly used to cure the disease.
Rabies
(Hydrophobia): It is caused by Street virus due to bite of infected dogs, cats
etc. It damages central nervous system, causes severe pain, spasm of muscles in
chest and choking of throat. Its treatment was discovered by Louis Pasteur in
the form of vaccine given in 14 doses, one on each day. The vaccine is prepared
from spinal cord of rabbit to produce antibodies in patient.
Poliomyelitis:
It is caused by Enterovirus due to pollution in water, food spread by housefly.
The disease damages nerves, many blood vessels, muscles and bones. Its first
vaccine was prepared by Jonas Salk by killing poliovirus by formaldehyde. Now
Sabin and coworkers have prepared oral polio vaccine consisting of living but
tamed virus.
AIDS:
it is caused by Leukemia virus (HIV) due to infections in human T-cells. It
spreads through intra venous drug users, use of infected blood by transfusion,
immoral implementation of sex among persons infected with virus. The ill
effects include loss of weight, fever of unknown origin, brain tumor,
hemorrhage (bleeding), and swelling of lymph glands, mouth ulcer or even death.
Certain medicines are being used now to delay or avoid death.
Dengue
fever: It is Flavirdeae ravivirus disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes. The virus
of dengue fever was first isolated by R.W. Ross from India in 1953. This fever
develops its own lifelong immunity. It causes nausea, vomiting, bleeding from
nose and gums, body ache and joint pains. Use mosquito repellents, mosquito
coils or vapors, eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, and wear long sleeved
shirts and long trousers to prevent mosquito bites. The repellents containing
DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon, eucalyptus or para-menthane are useful. Do
not spray the repellent on skin under your clothing. Use luke warm water and
fruit juice for relief.
Chikungunia:
It is Togaviridae alphavirus disease with similar source of infector and
symptoms as dengue fever. It was first reported from Tanzania but now prevalent
in many tropical areas. The fever remains effective for three to seven weeks.
Joint pain is severe which lasts for a few months. Proper help should be
received from doctor for care of dengue and chikungunia.
Help
to the Society: Every person should be conscious for personal health and
take care of society. The qualified persons can well understand about the
causes, ill effect, prevention and treatment of common diseases. They can also
seek the help of government, social and charitable organizations. Everyone
should take care of personal balanced diet, daily exercise, time for prayers
and meditation, spare time for self less voluntary service to the society.
Develop faith in Divine Lord to lead peaceful life through His kind bliss.
Contributed by: Dr. Triloki Nath Chugh.
The writer is an eminent former Professor of Zoology; he has
more than 3 decades of teaching experience in various colleges of KUK and is
presently Co-ordinator, Shah Satnam Ji Educational Institutions, DSS, Sirsa. He
can be reached on his Mobile No:+91-94160 48789 and email: trilokichugh@gmail.com . Dr
Chugh has published many Zoology research papers; Guided several M.Phil
students for research; M.Sc. Secured 2nd Position BITS PILANI
1968; Gold Medalist in French Diploma 1981 KUK; Prinicipal at SSS Boys College
for 7 years.
