Myths vs facts about China's coronavirus

 | Updated: Jan 31, 2020, 01:08 PM IST

The coronavirus was first reported in a city called Wuhan in the Huabei district of China on December 31. The SARS-like pathogen has killed 213 people and infected 10,000 in China itself. It has spread from Wuhan across China to more than 15 countries, with about 60 cases in Asia, Europe, North America and, most recently, the Middle East. 

Here is a list of myths and facts about the deadly virus:

Coronavirus

The most common myth about the virus is that it is new. 

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

The coronavirus has been named 2019-nCoV, the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak started in Guangdong Province in 2002-2003 and killed 774 people out of a total 8,096 infected. 

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

Another myth about the virus is that having cold symptoms is equal to being infected by the deadly virus coronavirus itself.

Sneezing coughing, shortness of breath does not mean that a person has been infected by the coronavirus.

It can just be because of pollution or common cold.  

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

The symptoms of the Wuhan virus are similar to that of flu or a common cold.

The symptoms of the coronavirus include a runny nose, headache, cough and a sore throat.

The virus has spread from the city of Wuhan across China to more than 15 countries, with about 60 cases in Asia, Europe, North America and, most recently, the Middle East

(Photograph:WION)
;

Coronavirus

An ongoing rumour about the virus includes that the virus only affects the old people.

The old are more vulnerable but the Wuhan virus can affect people across age groups.

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

Around half of cases of coronavirus occurr in people with underlying chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

All patients had pneumonia, most had a fever, 80 percent of them were coughing and more than half had trouble breathing.

Identifying coronavirus symptoms is all the more important and difficult because of a simultaneous epidemic of seasonal flu, which has similar symptoms.

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

Most people believe that getting a flu shot can protect them against the deadly coronavirus.

There is no vaccination against the Wuhan virus.

A flu shot may not be enough protection to shield people.

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

People of all age groups are equally susceptible to the coronavirus.

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

This is a false belief. However, people should wash their hands after any contact with animals to avoid any sort of germs.

(Photograph:WION)

Coronavirus

There is no vaccination against the deadly virus.

However, a group of Australian scientists have artificially recreated the virus and will hand it to the World Health Organisation so that it can create a vaccine for the virus.

(Photograph:WION)