Coronavirus shaped like a “crown” Coronavirus is a group of pathogens that mainly cause respiratory and intestinal diseases. They are called “coronaviruses” because of the characteristic sunhat-like spines of the envelope, and the entire virus particle resembles a crown. It can cause respiratory, neurological, digestive, and reproductive symptoms in humans and animals, but the respiratory manifestations are the most common. Are coronaviruses dangerous? The risk of coronaviruses varies greatly from one type to another. As of today, seven types of human coronaviruses are known. Four of these coronaviruses are more common in the population, are less pathogenic, and generally cause only mild respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold (e.g., runny nose, headache, cough, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, etc.). The other three coronaviruses, such as SARS coronavirus and MERS coronavirus, can cause severe respiratory disease (dyspnea, substantial lung lesions, etc.). The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a novel coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans, and has a larger impact and a more serious outbreak. How coronaviruses spread Coronavirus infections are very common in the world. Approximately 10-30% of winter upper respiratory infections in the population are caused by coronaviruses, which are the second most common causative factor in the common cold. There are three modes of transmission: 1. Respiratory droplet transmission: through exhalation, coughing, sneezing, the droplets that land on other people and then enter the body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and nasal cavity; 2. Contact transmission: contact with daily necessities contaminated by the patient’s secretions or excretions, such as towels, dishes, telephones, etc., and then the virus enters the body through the eyes, mouth and nasal cavity The virus then enters the infected person’s body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth and nose, causing infection; 3. Oral transmission: such as eating game containing the virus. How to prevent coronavirus The prevention of coronavirus is mainly divided into two kinds: 1. specific preventive measures: i.e. targeted preventive measures, vaccines; 2. non-specific preventive measures: go to less crowded public places; wear masks (N95 masks, medical surgical masks) when going out; wash hands regularly; open windows and ventilate indoors and disinfect regularly; pay attention to balanced nutrition, arrange work and rest reasonably and avoid overexertion, etc. Source: Dr. You Lai Reference: 1. WHO “Frequently Asked Questions about New Coronavirus” 2. How to prevent it? 3.Chinese Journal of Hospital Infection, Vol. 13, No. 11, 2003: Coronavirus infection characteristics and prevention