Abstract

COVID-19: ORIGIN, CAUSES, EFFECTS ON HUMANITY, PREVENTION AND IN PURSUIT OF A CURE

R. C. Jagessar*

ABSTRACT

Our world is in a chaotic state at the moment. This stem mostly from the current infectious, highly contagious viral disease, COVID-19, and not to mention global warming and its catastrophic effects, intense yearly hurricanes, droughts etc. COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-COV-2. It was first identified in Wuhan, China in December, 2019, though there is speculation that it may have originated elsewhere. It has resulted in a current ongoing pandemic. A person infected with the virus can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste, multi organ failure, septic shock. blood clots etc. The virus is spread primarily between people, during close contact via small droplets, produced by coughing, sneezing and talking, touching one own face after contact with a contaminated surface. It’s also postulated that its spread may also be airborne, requiring particulate matter in the atmosphere for further transmission. Preventative measures for COVID-19, include frequent handwashing with soap, physical distancing of six feet from others, wearing a suitable mask etc, quarantine for those with symptoms, contact tracing etc. There is no known vaccine or specific antiviral treatment to date. Considering that viruses mutate, it would be best to use and explore drugs combination or herbal mixtures to control and eradicate this disease. A virus is not a bacteria, and so would require herbs that show strong and selective antiviral activity. Over seventy Pharmaceutical research institutions are currently working to find a cure for this disease. It would require a concerted efforts from synthetic organic chemists, natural product chemists, pharmaceutical chemists, medical doctors and other health professionals to find a cure for this planet threatening disease. This presentation outline in detail, the origin, effects on humanity, prevention and possible cure for COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, Wuhan, symptomatic, asymptomatic, pandemic, mutate, eradicate.