AI Summary Overview
What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a group of enveloped RNA viruses named after the crown-like spikes visible on their surface. They can infect the respiratory tract and other body systems, depending on the virus.
Symptoms depend on the type of coronavirus and the severity of the infection. Runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, headache and tiredness are common with mild coronavirus infections. However, more serious coronavirus infections can lead to pneumonia, breathing difficulties and other complications.
What are the Types of Coronavirus?
Seven known human coronaviruses can be divided into common human coronaviruses and those associated with more severe respiratory diseases. The types of coronavirus are given below:
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Common Human Coronaviruses Four human coronaviruses circulate regularly around the world and usually cause mild to moderate respiratory illness. These are:
- HCoV-229E: An alphacoronavirus commonly associated with cold-like respiratory symptoms.
- HCoV-NL63: An alphacoronavirus that usually causes upper respiratory illness but can also cause lower respiratory infections, particularly in children and vulnerable individuals.
- HCoV-OC43: A betacoronavirus commonly associated with cold-like illness and occasionally lower respiratory infections.
- HCoV-HKU1: A betacoronavirus that usually causes mild respiratory illness but can sometimes contribute to pneumonia or other lower respiratory infections.
Most people are infected with one or more common human coronaviruses during their lifetime.
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SARS-CoV SARS-CoV is the coronavirus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome. It caused an international outbreak beginning in 2002. SARS commonly causes high fever, cough and pneumonia, with some patients developing respiratory failure. Human transmission was brought under control, and no known SARS-CoV cases have been reported since 2004.
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MERS-CoV MERS-CoV causes Middle East respiratory syndrome. It was identified in 2012 and continues to cause occasional infections, mainly linked to the Arabian Peninsula. In this type of coronavirus, human infection can occur following contact with infected dromedary camels. Person-to-person transmission can also occur, particularly during close contact and in healthcare settings. MERS may cause fever, cough and shortness of breath and can progress to severe pneumonia or respiratory failure.
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SARS-CoV-2 SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19 or the coronavirus disease. It emerged in late 2019 and spread rapidly across countries, leading to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The pandemic caused widespread illness, hospitalisations and deaths across countries and significantly affected healthcare systems and everyday life. COVID-19 infection can range from no noticeable symptoms or mild respiratory illness to pneumonia, severe respiratory disease and critical illness.
How Common is Coronavirus in India?
There is no single reliable prevalence estimate for all human coronavirus infections in India. The seven human coronaviruses have different patterns of circulation. Mild infections caused by common coronaviruses are not routinely counted through nationwide surveillance.
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, became widespread in India during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with major waves of infection occurring over the following years. As per the WHO COVID-19 dashboard, around 45.1 million COVID-19 cases have been reported in India.
A nationwide survey conducted in June - July 2021 found antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in 67.6% of people aged 6 years and above, indicating widespread previous exposure through infection and/or vaccination by that stage of the pandemic.
What are the Symptoms of Coronavirus?
Symptoms of coronavirus infection depend on the particular virus, the person's age and health, and whether the upper or lower respiratory tract is affected. Common human coronavirus infections often resemble a cold. Severe coronavirus infections can cause pneumonia and significant breathing problems.
The table below compares common early symptoms of coronavirus with features that may indicate severe or complicated disease:
| Early Warning Symptoms | Severe Stage Symptoms |
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Diseases Similar to Coronavirus
Coronavirus infections can resemble other viral respiratory illnesses like influenza and RSV infection, as symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and tiredness commonly overlap in all these conditions.
The table below compares the key features of these conditions for better understanding:
Coronavirus Infection Vs. Influenza Vs. RSV Infection
| Feature | Coronavirus Infection | Influenza | RSV Infection |
| How It Happens | Caused by one of the human coronaviruses | Caused by influenza viruses | Caused by respiratory syncytial virus |
| Location | Mainly affects the respiratory tract; severe coronavirus diseases may affect other organs | Mainly affects the respiratory tract | Mainly affects the respiratory tract, especially the smaller airways in young children |
| Associated Symptoms | Runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, headache and tiredness; severe infections may cause breathing difficulty | Fever, cough, headache, marked fatigue and muscle aches | Runny nose, cough, wheezing, reduced appetite and breathing difficulty |
| Severity | Usually mild with common HCoVs but can be severe depending on the coronavirus involved | Usually self-limiting but can become severe, especially in higher-risk people | Often mild but can cause serious bronchiolitis or pneumonia in infants and vulnerable adults |
| Can It Be Reversed? | Most mild infections resolve with supportive care; management of severe disease depends on the virus | Most people recover; antiviral treatment may be used in selected cases | Most cases recover with supportive care; severe illness may require hospital treatment |
A common cold has not been used as a comparator because common human coronaviruses themselves are among the viruses that can cause common cold symptoms.
What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Coronavirus?
Coronavirus infection develops when a human coronavirus enters the body and infects susceptible cells. The specific type of coronavirus determines the disease. For example, the common human coronaviruses usually cause cold-like respiratory illness, SARS-CoV causes SARS, MERS-CoV causes MERS and SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19.
Below are the common modes of transmission and risk factors of coronavirus:
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Modes of Transmission
Transmission varies somewhat between the different coronaviruses, but common routes include:
- Respiratory Particles: Infected people can release virus-containing particles while breathing, talking, coughing or sneezing.
- Close Contact: Spending prolonged periods near an infected person can increase exposure.
- Crowded Indoor Spaces: Close proximity to several people may make respiratory transmission easier.
- Poor Ventilation: Respiratory particles can accumulate more easily in enclosed areas with limited fresh air.
- Contaminated Hands or Objects: Some common respiratory coronaviruses may also spread when contaminated hands reach the eyes, nose or mouth.
- Animal-to-Human Transmission: MERS-CoV can spread from infected dromedary camels to humans.
Transmission before symptoms appear or from people without noticeable symptoms can occur with some coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2.
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Risk Factors
- Older Age: Older adults have a greater risk of complications from several respiratory coronavirus infections.
- Infancy and Young Childhood: Some common human coronaviruses can cause more significant lower respiratory disease in infants and young children.
- Weakened Immunity: People with reduced immune function may develop prolonged or more severe infection.
- Heart or Lung Disease: Existing cardiopulmonary conditions can increase vulnerability to respiratory complications.
- Other Chronic Conditions: Chronic conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease can increase the risk of complications.
Risk should therefore be assessed according to the coronavirus involved, rather than assuming that every coronavirus has identical risk factors.
What are the Complications of Coronavirus?
Most infections caused by the four common human coronaviruses remain mild. However, lower respiratory disease or serious complications can sometimes occur, particularly in vulnerable people.
Possible complications of coronavirus include:
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Bronchitis: Infection can extend into the larger airways and cause a persistent cough and inflammation.
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Bronchiolitis: Small airways can become inflamed, particularly in infants and young children.
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Pneumonia: Coronavirus infection can affect lung tissue and interfere with normal oxygen exchange.
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Respiratory Failure: Severe SARS, MERS or COVID-19 may make it difficult for the lungs to supply adequate oxygen.
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Acute Respiratory Distress: Severe inflammation of the lungs can lead to a critical respiratory illness.
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Secondary Infections: Seriously ill or hospitalised patients may develop additional bacterial or fungal infections.
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Organ Complications: Severe coronavirus diseases can sometimes affect organs outside the lungs, depending on the virus and the severity of illness.
Some people with SARS-CoV-2 infection may also experience persistent symptoms after the acute illness. This is a complication associated specifically with COVID-19 and should not be presented as a feature of all coronavirus infections.
When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?
Most mild coronavirus infections improve with home care. Medical advice is recommended when symptoms are severe, persistent or occur in someone at higher risk of complications.
It is recommended to seek medical attention at the earliest if you experience:
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Increasing difficulty breathing
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Shortness of breath at rest
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Persistent chest pain or pressure
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High or persistent fever with worsening illness
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Severe weakness or drowsiness
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Confusion or difficulty staying awake
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Pale or bluish lips or skin
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Signs of dehydration
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Symptoms that improve and then become significantly worse
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Respiratory symptoms in a very young infant
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Significant respiratory symptoms in an older adult or a person with weakened immunity
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Recent relevant exposure to a serious coronavirus infection
Severe breathing difficulty, confusion, collapse or loss of consciousness requires urgent medical assessment.
How is Coronavirus Diagnosed?
Coronavirus is diagnosed based on the type of coronavirus suspected and the severity of the illness. Mild infections caused by common human coronaviruses often resemble other viral colds and may not require identification of the exact virus.
Doctors may conduct the following tests and assessments to diagnose coronavirus:
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Medical History and Clinical Assessment A healthcare professional may review symptoms, recent contact with sick people, travel or exposure history, underlying medical conditions and the severity of breathing problems. The examination may include temperature, breathing rate, lung assessment and oxygen levels when appropriate.
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Molecular Testing
Molecular tests can detect genetic material from specific coronaviruses. Respiratory multiplex PCR panels may test for common human coronaviruses, such as:
- HCoV-229E
- HCoV-NL63
- HCoV-OC43
- HCoV-HKU1
These tests are generally more useful in hospitalised patients, people with severe respiratory illness, immunocompromised patients or situations where identifying the specific respiratory pathogen may influence care.
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Virus-Specific Testing Separate laboratory tests may be required when SARS-CoV-2 or MERS-CoV is suspected. As SARS-CoV is not currently known to circulate in humans, testing for SARS would generally be relevant only in an unusual suspected outbreak or specialist public health investigation.
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Imaging and Other Tests
People with suspected pneumonia or severe respiratory illness may require:
- Chest X-rays
- CT scans in selected cases
- Blood tests
- Oxygen-level monitoring
- Tests for bacterial or other viral infections
Diagnostic Summary Table
| Diagnostic Method | What It Assesses |
| Clinical assessment | Symptoms, exposure and illness severity |
| Common HCoV molecular panel | 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1 genetic material |
| Virus-specific molecular test | Genetic material from a suspected coronavirus |
| Chest imaging | Pneumonia and lung involvement |
| Blood tests and oxygen monitoring | Infection severity and complications |
How is Coronavirus Treated and Managed?
There is no single treatment that applies to every human coronavirus. Management depends on which coronavirus is responsible and how severe the illness becomes.
The following approaches may be advised by doctors to treat or manage coronavirus infection:
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Supportive Care
Most infections caused by common human coronaviruses improve without specific antiviral treatment. Supportive care may include:
- Adequate rest
- Drinking enough fluids
- Medicines for fever, headache or body aches when appropriate
- Measures to relieve nasal congestion or throat discomfort
- Monitoring for worsening respiratory symptoms
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Virus-Specific Antiviral Treatment Antiviral treatment is not routinely available for the four common human coronaviruses. Certain antiviral medicines may be used for eligible people with SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly those at increased risk of severe COVID-19. There is currently no approved specific antiviral treatment for MERS, and management is mainly supportive. SARS-CoV is not currently known to be circulating in humans.
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Oxygen and Respiratory Support People who develop pneumonia, low oxygen levels or significant breathing difficulty may require supplemental oxygen and hospital monitoring. Severe respiratory failure may require advanced respiratory support or intensive care.
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Hospital Treatment Hospital care may be required for serious SARS-CoV-2 or MERS-CoV infection or for severe lower respiratory illness caused by a common human coronavirus. Treatment may involve respiratory support, fluids, monitoring and management of complications according to the patient's condition.
Common Medicines Used to Manage Coronavirus Infections
Medicines used depend on the type and severity of coronavirus infection. There is no medicine that treats every human coronavirus.
Common medications that may be prescribed to treat coronavirus are listed below:
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Paracetamol: May be used to relieve fever, headache and body aches.
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Anti-Inflammatory Pain Relievers: Medicines such as ibuprofen may help with fever and discomfort when they are medically suitable for the person.
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Nasal or Symptom-Relieving Treatments: Saline preparations or other appropriate medicines may help relieve congestion and cold-like symptoms.
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Virus-Specific Antiviral Medicines: Antiviral treatment may be prescribed for selected coronavirus infections, particularly SARS-CoV-2. However, these medicines are not treatments for all human coronaviruses.
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Antibiotics: Antibiotics do not treat coronavirus infections because coronaviruses are viruses. They may be prescribed when a bacterial infection occurs alongside the viral illness.
Note: Medicines should be selected according to age, pregnancy status, underlying conditions and other medicines being used. Children should not be given over-the-counter cough or cold medicines without appropriate medical guidance.
Living with Coronavirus: Daily Challenges and Patient Well-Being
Most common coronavirus infections are temporary and resolve without long-term problems. Severe infections, however, may require a longer recovery period.
Some of the challenges and essential caregiving points for coronavirus patients are given below:
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Challenges
- Temporary Fatigue: Cough, fever and weakness can make everyday activities more difficult during illness.
- Sleep and Work Disruption: Nasal symptoms, coughing or breathing discomfort may interfere with sleep, school or work.
- Recovery After Severe Illness: People who develop pneumonia or require hospitalisation may need additional time before returning to normal activity.
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Caregiving and Patient Safety
- Support During Recovery: Family members can help with meals, fluids and everyday activities while the person is unwell.
- Watch for Symptoms: Seek medical attention at the earliest if breathlessness worsens or if persistent fever, chest pain, confusion or severe weakness develops.
- Encourage Adequate Fluids and Rest: Proper hydration and rest can support recovery from mild respiratory illness.
- Follow Prescribed Treatment: Medicines and hospital follow-up should be completed as advised.
- Reduce Transmission: People with an acute respiratory infection should limit close contact with others and practise respiratory and hand hygiene.
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Expenses
- Routine Treatment Costs: Mild infections may involve medical consultation, symptom-relieving medicines and, when required, diagnostic testing.
- Severe Illness Costs: Pneumonia or other serious coronavirus disease can involve hospitalisation, oxygen therapy, intensive care and follow-up treatment.
What is the Prognosis for Coronavirus?
The prognosis depends strongly on the type of coronavirus and the person's underlying health. Common human coronaviruses such as 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1 usually cause mild or moderate respiratory illness, and most people recover without complications.
More severe disease can occur in infants, older adults, people with weakened immunity and those with existing heart or lung conditions.
SARS-CoV caused serious respiratory disease during its outbreak in the early 2000s, but has not been reported in humans since 2004.
MERS-CoV can cause severe pneumonia and respiratory failure and has a considerably higher risk of serious outcomes among laboratory-confirmed cases.
SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from asymptomatic or mild illness to severe complications. The risk of severe disease depends on factors such as age, immunity and underlying health conditions.
How Can I Prevent Coronavirus?
There is no single measure that prevents every coronavirus infection, but several precautions can reduce exposure and transmission.
Some useful preventive measures for coronavirus are given below:
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Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
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Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of used tissues safely.
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Avoid close contact with others while you have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection.
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Keep indoor spaces well ventilated, especially when several people are sharing the same area.
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A well-fitting mask may provide additional protection in crowded or poorly ventilated environments during periods of respiratory illness.
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Avoid sharing items that may become contaminated with respiratory secretions.
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Older adults and people with weakened immunity or significant underlying conditions should avoid close contact with other people when respiratory infections are circulating.
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In areas where MERS occurs, avoid unnecessary close contact with sick dromedary camels and avoid consuming raw camel milk or inadequately cooked camel products.
Vaccines are available against SARS-CoV-2, but there is currently no routine vaccine that protects against all seven human coronaviruses.
Coronavirus Treatment Cost in India
Treatment costs depend on the coronavirus involved and the severity of illness. Most infections caused by common human coronaviruses require only outpatient care. Serious lower respiratory illness may require advanced testing or hospital treatment.
An approximate overview of the cost of treating coronavirus is given below:
| Treatment Component | Approximate Cost Range |
| Medical consultation | ₹300 - ₹2,500 per visit |
| Symptom-relieving medicines | ₹50 - ₹500 per short treatment course |
| Targeted PCR panel for common human coronaviruses | ₹3,000 - ₹3,500 |
| Broader multiplex respiratory PCR panel | ₹5,500 - ₹24,000 |
| Chest X-ray and basic investigations | ₹500 - ₹3,000 |
| Non-ICU hospital care | ₹5,000 - ₹25,000 per day |
| Oxygen or respiratory support | ₹500 - ₹3,500 per day |
| Intensive care | ₹10,000 - ₹50,000 per day |
| Follow-up or rehabilitation after severe illness | ₹5,000 - ₹1,00,000 depending on care required |
Note: These figures are approximate and represent general respiratory-care costs rather than fixed coronavirus treatment packages. The final expense can be considerably higher when severe pneumonia, prolonged hospitalisation or intensive care is required.
Does Health Insurance Cover Coronavirus in India?
Yes. Health insurance covers the treatment expenses related to coronavirus infections. Coverage may include in-patient hospitalisation, intensive care, oxygen or respiratory support, in-patient diagnostic investigations, medicines used during hospital care, ambulance charges, non-medical expenses and pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses.
Most mild common coronavirus infections are treated on an outpatient basis. So doctor consultations, diagnostic tests and medicines are covered with the help of the OPD benefit. However, the exact coverage may vary from one policy to another. Besides, coronavirus is covered after a waiting period.
Check the policy wordings to know the actual scope of coverage, exclusions, sub-limits, deductibles, and co-payments.
How Much Health Insurance Coverage is Needed for Coronavirus Treatment?
Health insurance coverage should be chosen according to a person's overall healthcare needs rather than coronavirus infection alone. Common coronavirus infections usually require limited outpatient treatment, while severe respiratory disease can involve hospitalisation, oxygen support or intensive care.
Hence, a health insurance coverage of around ₹5 - ₹10 lakh may be sufficient for covering uncomplicated treatment of coronavirus. But in case of prolonged hospitalisation and complications, a medical coverage of ₹15 - ₹20 lakh can provide broader financial protection.
The appropriate sum insured is chosen depending on factors such as age, existing medical conditions, city of residence, preferred hospitals and overall healthcare requirements.
FAQs
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Q1. What is the main cause of coronavirus infection?
Ans: Coronavirus infection occurs when a person becomes infected with one of the human coronaviruses, such as 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2. -
Q2. What are the first symptoms of coronavirus infection?
Ans: Common early coronavirus symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, fever and a general feeling of being unwell. -
Q3. How long does coronavirus take to show symptoms?
Ans: Coronavirus symptoms commonly develop within a few days, but the incubation period differs depending on the specific coronavirus involved.
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References
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https://www.cdc.gov/human-coronaviruses/php/types/index.html
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https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/coronavirus/types.html
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