Article The Role of Laboratories in Detecting Corona Virus (COVID-19)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), better known as the Corona virus, is a new type of coronavirus that is transmitted to humans. This virus can affect anyone, such as the elderly (the elderly), adults, children, and babies, including pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Corona virus infection is called COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) and was first discovered in the city of Wuhan, China at the end of December 2019. This virus is transmitted very quickly and has spread to almost all countries, including Indonesia, in just a few months. This makes some countries implement policies to impose lockdowns in order to prevent the spread of Corona virus. In Indonesia itself, a Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) policy was put in place to suppress the spread of this virus.

Coronavirus is a collection of viruses that can infect the respiratory system. In many cases, this virus only causes mild respiratory infections such as flu. However, this virus can also cause severe respiratory infections, such as lung infections (pneumonia).

In addition to the SARS-CoV-2 virus or Corona virus, the viruses included in this group are the viruses that cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the virus that causes Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Although caused by viruses from the same group, namely coronavirus, COVID-19 has some differences with SARS and MERS, including in terms of the speed of spread and severity of symptoms.

 

Death Rate Due to Corona Virus (COVID-19)

Corona virus that causes COVID-19 can attack anyone. According to data released by the Republic of Indonesia Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19, the number of positive confirmed cases up to 22 July 2020 was 89,869 people with 4,320 deaths. The case fatality rate due to COVID-19 is around 4.8%.

When viewed from the percentage of mortality divided by age group, the elderly have a higher percentage of death rates than other age groups. Whereas by sex, 59.7% of those who died from COVID-19 were male and the remaining 40.3% were female.

 

Symptoms of Corona Virus (COVID-19)

The initial symptoms of corona virus infection or COVID-19 can resemble flu symptoms, namely fever, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat, and headache. After that, the symptoms can disappear and heal or even aggravate. Patients with severe symptoms can experience high fever, cough with phlegm and even bleeding, shortness of breath, and chest pain. These symptoms appear when the body reacts against the corona virus. In general, there are 3 general symptoms that can indicate a person is infected with the corona virus, namely:

·         Fever (body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius)

·         Dry cough

·         Hard to breathe

 

Causes of Corona Virus (COVID-19)

Corona virus infection or COVID-19 is caused by coronavirus, which is a group of viruses that infect the respiratory system. In most cases, coronaviruses only cause mild to moderate respiratory infections, such as flu. However, this virus can also cause severe respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

It is suspected that the corona virus was initially transmitted from animals to humans. However, it was later discovered that the corona virus was also transmitted from human to human. A person can get COVID-19 through a variety of ways, namely:

·         Accidentally inhaling saliva splashes (droplets) that come out when people with COVID-19 cough or sneeze

·         Hold the mouth or nose without washing hands first after touching an object affected by saliva splashes of a COVID-19 sufferer

·         Close contact with sufferers of COVID-19

Corona virus can infect anyone, but the effect will be more dangerous or even fatal if it occurs in elderly people, pregnant women, people who have certain diseases, smokers, or people whose immune systems are weak, for example in cancer patients.

Because it is easily transmitted, the corona virus is also at high risk of infecting medical staff treating patients with COVID-19. Therefore, medical personnel and people who have contact with COVID-19 patients need to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

 

Corona Virus Diagnosis (COVID-19)

To determine whether the patient is infected with the corona virus, the doctor will ask about the symptoms experienced by the patient and whether the patient has just traveled or lived in an area that has a case of Corona virus infection before symptoms appear. The doctor will also ask if the patient has any contact with someone who is suffering or is suspected of having COVID-19.

 

To confirm the diagnosis of COVID-19, the doctor will carry out the following tests:

·         Rapid test to detect antibodies (IgM and IgG) produced by the body to fight the Corona virus

·         Swab test or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to detect Corona virus in sputum

·         CT scan or chest X-ray to detect infiltrates or fluid in the lungs

A positive COVID-19 rapid test is most likely to indicate that you have already been infected with the Corona virus, but it can also mean you are infected with a germ or another virus. Conversely, a negative COVID-19 rapid test result does not necessarily indicate that you are absolutely free of the corona virus.

 

Corona Virus Treatment (COVID-19)

·         Referring patients with severe COVID-19 to undergo treatment and caratina in a referral hospital

·         Provide a fever and pain reliever that is safe and in accordance with the patient's condition

·         Encourage sufferers of COVID-19 to do independent isolation and adequate rest

·         Encourage sufferers of COVID-19 to drink lots of water to maintain body fluid levels

 

Complications of Corona Virus (COVID-19)

In severe cases, Corona virus infection can cause the following complications:

·         Pneumonia (lung infection)

·         Secondary infection in other organs

·         Kidney failure

·         Acute cardiac injury

·         Acute respiratory distress syndrome

·         Dead

 

Corona Virus Prevention (COVID-19)

Until now, there is no vaccine to prevent Corona virus infection or COVID-19. Therefore, the best preventive way is to avoid the factors that can cause you to be infected with this virus, namely:

 

·         Apply physical distancing, which is to maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter from other people, and not to leave the house unless there is an urgent need.

·         Use a mask when on the move in public places or crowds, including when you go shopping for groceries.

·         Routinely wash your hands with water and soap or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, especially after doing activities outside the home or in public places.

·         Do not touch the eyes, mouth and nose before washing hands.

·         Increase endurance with a healthy lifestyle, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and preventing stress.

·         Avoid contact with sufferers of COVID-19, people suspected of being positively infected by the Corona virus, or people who are sick with a fever, cough, or runny nose.

·         Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash.

·         Keep clean objects that are often touched and environmental cleanliness, including cleaning the house.

For people suspected of being affected by COVID-19 (including the suspect and probable categories) previously referred to as ODP (people under surveillance) and PDP (patients under surveillance), there are several steps you can take so as not to transmit the corona virus to others, namely:

·         Do independent isolation by staying apart from others for a while. If that is not possible, use a bedroom and bathroom that is different from what others use.

·         Do not leave the house, except for treatment.

·         If you want to go to the hospital when the symptoms get worse, you should first contact the hospital to pick up.

·         Forbid others to visit or visit you until you are completely healed.

·         As much as possible do not have meetings with people who are sick.

·         Avoid sharing the use of cutlery and drinking equipment, toiletries, and sleeping equipment with others.

·         Wear a mask and gloves when in a public place or with someone else.

·         Use tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.

Conditions that require direct treatment by a doctor in the hospital, such as childbirth, surgery, dialysis, or vaccinating children, need to be treated differently with some adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to prevent transmission of the Corona virus while you are in the hospital.