Things we still don’t know about Covid-19

Sky Nguyen nguồn bình luận 999
A- A A+
There are still many things we do not understand about Covid-19 and all of us now is a part of an experiment in which the whole world is trying to find answers.
Things we still don’t know about Covid-19
illustration

Here are some outstanding big questions: 

1. How many people have been infected?

This is one of the most basic questions, but also one of the most important. There have been hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases worldwide, but this is only a small fraction of the total number of infections. And the figures are also confused by some cases of indefinite symptoms - people who have the virus but don’t feel sick.

Developing antibody tests will allow researchers to see if anyone is infected with the virus. Only then do we understand how far or easily coronavirus spreads.

2. How dangerous is it?

Until we know how many cases have happened, it is not possible to be sure of the death rate. Currently, an estimated 1% of people infected with this virus di‌e. But if there are large numbers of asymptomatic patients, the mortality rate may be lower.

3. The full symptoms?

The main symptoms of coronavirus are fever and dry cough - these are symptoms you should pay attention to. A sore throat, headache and diarrhea have also been reported in some cases and it is speculated that the loss of the sense of smell can affect some people.

But the most important question is whether mild symptoms, like a cold, such as a runny nose or sneezing, are present in some patients.

Studies show this is a possibility and people are likely to be infected without knowing that they are carrying the virus.

4. Children spread the virus?

Children can definitely become infected with coronavirus. However, they mainly develop mild symptoms and there are relatively few child deaths compared to other age groups.

Children are often the ones who spread the disease, partly because they mix with many people (usually in the playground), but with this virus, it is unclear to what extent it will spread.

5. Where exactly does it come from?

The virus appeared in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, where there was a group of cases at an animal market. Coronavirus, officially known as Sars-CoV-2, is closely related to the virus that infects bats, but it is thought that it was transmitted from bats to a mysterious animal then transmitted to humans.

That "missing link" is still unknown and could be an additional source of infection.

6. Will there be fewer cases in the summer?

Colds and flu are more common during the winter months than in the summer, but it is not known whether warmer weather will change the spread of the virus. The British government scientific advisers have warned that it is unclear whether there will be a seasonal effect. If so, they think it may be smaller than a cold and flu.

If there is a large decline of coronavirus in the summer, there is a risk that the cases will spike in the winter, when hospitals also have to deal with a line of patients suffering from common winter illnesses. .

7. Why do some people have more severe symptoms?

Covid-19 is a mild infection for most. However, about 20% continue to develop worse disease, why?

The condition of a person’s immune system seems to be part of the problem, and may have some genetic factors. Understanding this can find ways to prevent people in need of special care.

8. How long does the immune system last, and can you get it twice?

There has been much speculation but little evidence of immunity to the virus.

Patients must form an immune response, if they successfully fight the virus. But since the disease has only been around for a few months, data is lacking.

The question of immunity is important to understand what will happen in the future.

9. Will the virus mutate?

Viruses mutate all the time, but most of their genetic code changes make no significant difference. As a general rule, you expect the virus to evolve to be less lethal in the long run, but this is not guaranteed.

The concern is that if the virus mutates, then the immune system no longer recognizes it and a specific vaccine is no longer working (as happens with the flu).

Nguồn Tin:
Video và Bài nổi bật