Millions of cases and thousands of deaths are happening in the world at present due to the coronavirus. Local governments are working 24/7 to at least control the virus and limit the people who can get exposed and infected by it. People from all around the world are filled with fear as death seems to be just lurking around the corner.
But amid the scare, are you curious about how worse it could really be and how it could negatively affect your body? Here are some things you have to know.
There are four categories patients can fall into. These categories include mild, moderate, severe, and critical. The treatments and medications will depend on which category they will belong to.
MILD CASE
Experts say, as of the record, most people who get inflicted with the virus falls into this category. In a report done by the World Health Organization together with China mission's 25 infectious disease experts last month, it was revealed that 80% of all recorded cases fall under mild to moderate cases, as reported by NPR.
Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, explains that for most people experiencing mild symptoms, they first get a fever, then respiratory symptoms, dry cough, and eventually body aches and pains, which are symptoms like that of common colds. People under this case won't be required to get to the hospital ASAP, but will be asked to stay inside the house, seclude themselves to other people including their families, have a complete and enough rest, and eat healthy foods.
MODERATE CASE
Mild and moderate cases are almost the same except that people under moderate cases are more prone to experience difficulty of breathing (none life-threatening pneumonia) and dehydration on top of the common symptoms. Once a patient shows these symptoms, it is then crucial to visit the hospital and get the treatment they need the soonest.
SEVERE AND CRITICAL CASE
If a moderate case got worse and becomes severe, people could experience acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which could happen when fluid builds up in the patient's lungs. Oftentimes this symptom could be fatal, with a 30 to 40 percent fatality rate.
The treatments include mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen. The purpose of these treatments is not to kill the virus, but only to help patients be able to get enough oxygen for their body, as shared by Business Insider.
Some severe cases could eventually recover after several days, unfortunately, others escalate and become critical. People who are in this category will need advanced life support. They will be required to be admitted to an ICU unit and will be provided with extra care.
