COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virussevere acute rrespiratory ssyndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19can cause respiratory problems, ranging from mild symptoms such as flu, to lung infections, such aspneumonia.
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a new type of disease caused by a virus from class coronavirus, namely SARS-CoV-2 which is also often called the Corona virus.
The first case of this disease occurred in the city of Wuhan, China, at the end of December 2019. After that, COVID-19 spread between humans very quickly and spread to dozens of countries, including Indonesia, in just a few months.
Its rapid spread has made several countries implement policies to enforcelockdown to prevent the spread of the Corona virus. In Indonesia, the government implemented the policy of Enforcing Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) to suppress the spread of this virus.
If you need a COVID-19 test, click on the link below so you can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
Death Rate Due to COVID-19
According to data released by the Task Force for the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19 of the Republic of Indonesia, the number of confirmed positive cases as of August 6, 2021 is 3,568,331 people with a death toll of 102,375.
From these two figures it can be concluded that case fatality rate or the death rate caused by COVID-19 in Indonesia is around 2.9%. Case fatality rate is the percentage of deaths from the total number of confirmed and reported positive cases of COVID-19.
According to these data, the mortality rate (case fatality rate) by age group are as follows:
- 0–5 years: 0.49%
- 6–18 years: 0.14%
- 19–30 years: 0.32%
- 31–45 years: 1.26%
- 46–59 years: 4.84%
- >60 years: 11.75%
Of all COVID-19 sufferers who died, 0.5% were aged 0–5 years, 0.5% were aged 6–18 years, 2.8% were aged 19–30 years, 12.7% were aged 31–45 years, 36.8% were aged 46–59 years, and 46.7% were aged 60 years and over.
Meanwhile, based on gender, 53.1% of patients who died from COVID-19 were male and the remaining 46.9% were female.
Causes of COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new type of virus from coronavirus (a group of viruses that infect the respiratory system). Corona virus infection can cause mild to moderate respiratory infections, such as the flu, or infections of the respiratory system and lungs, such as pneumonia.
At the end of 2020, several case reports stated that the Corona virus had mutated into several new types or variants, such as the delta variant.
COVID-19 was initially transmitted from animals to humans. After that, it was discovered that this infection can also be transmitted from human to human. Transmission can be through the following ways:
- Accidentally inhaled the droplets of saliva that come out when a person with COVID-19 sneezes or coughs
- Holding your mouth, nose, or eyes without washing your hands first, after touching objects that have COVID-19 droplets, such as money or doorknobs
- Close contact (less than 2 meters) with people with COVID-19 without wearing a mask
The CDC and WHO state that COVID-19 can also be transmitted through aerosols (particles of substances in the air). However, this mode of transmission only occurs in certain medical procedures, such as bronchoscopy, endotracheal intubation, suctioning of mucus, and administering inhaled drugs via a nebulizer.
From the data released by WHO, there are currently several variants of SARS-CoV-2 that cause COVID-19. Here are the details of the new variant types:
- Variant Alpha (B.1.1.7) originally invented in the UK since September 2020.
- Beta variant (B.1.351/B.1.351.2/B.1.351.3) which was originally discovered in South Africa since May 2020.
- Gamma variant (P.1/P.1.1/P.1.2) originally discovered in Brazil since November 2020.
- The Delta variant (B.1.617.2/AY.1/AY.2/AY.3) which was originally discovered in India since October 2020.
- Eta variant (B.1.525) whose distribution has been found in many countries since December 2020.
- The Iota variant (B.1526) was originally discovered in America since November 2020.
- Kappa variant (B.1617.1) which was originally discovered in India since October 2020.
- The Lambda (c.37) variant originally discovered in Peru since December 2020.
COVID-19 Risk Factors
COVID-19 can infect anyone, but its effects will be more dangerous or even fatal if it attacks the elderly, pregnant women, smokers, people with certain diseases, and people with weak immune systems, such as cancer sufferers.
Because it is easily contagious, this disease is also at high risk of infecting medical personnel who treat COVID-19 patients. Therefore, medical personnel and people who come into contact with COVID-19 patients need to use personal protective equipment (PPE).
In addition, the government together with pharmaceutical companies and various health institutions are also currently developing and researching a COVID-19 vaccine. After going through clinical trials and being declared effective and safe to be given to humans, the manufacture of the COVID-19 vaccine will continue so that it can be given to the public.
Symptom COVID-19
Early symptoms of COVID-19 infection can resemble flu symptoms, namely fever, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat, and headache. After that, the symptoms may disappear and heal or even get worse. Patients with severe symptoms may experience high fever, cough with phlegm or blood, shortness of breath, and chest pain. The symptoms mentioned above appear when the body reacts to the COVID-19 virus.
In general, there are three general symptoms that can indicate a person is infected with COVID-19, namely:
- Fever (body temperature above 38°C)
- dry cough
- Hard to breathe
In addition to the symptoms above, there are several other symptoms that are rare, but can also appear in COVID-19 infection, namely:
- Tired easily
- Muscle ache
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Shivering
- sneeze
- Loss of ability to taste
- Loss of the ability to smell (anosmia)
Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear within 2 days to 2 weeks after a person is infected with the virus that causes it. Some COVID-19 patients also experience a decrease in oxygen without any symptoms. This condition is called happy hypoxia. In addition, several case reports also state that some COVID-19 patients may develop skin rashes.
To determine whether these symptoms are symptoms of the Corona virus, a rapid test or PCR is needed. To find a place to do a rapid test or PCR around your home, click here.
In some patients, COVID-19 can cause no symptoms at all. People who have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 through RT-PCR examination but do not experience symptoms are referred to as asymptomatic confirmed cases. These patients can still transmit COVID-19 to other people.
In July 2020, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia changed the old operational terms for COVID-19, such as ODP, PDP, OTG to new terms, namely suspect, probable, and confirmed.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately self-isolate if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 infection as mentioned above, especially if in the last 2 weeks you have been in an area that has COVID-19 cases or has been in contact with COVID-19 sufferers. After that, contacthotlineCOVID-19 at 119 Ext. 9 for further guidance.
If you suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not experience any symptoms, you do not need to go to the hospital for a check-up. It is enough to stay at home for 14 days and limit contact with other people.
When new symptoms appear, ask the doctor by phone or health app on line, for example ALODOKTER, regarding what actions you need to take and what drugs you need to take.
If your symptoms are getting worse or you need an immediate examination by a doctor, you can make an appointment with a doctor through the ALODOKTER application so that you can be directed to the nearest doctor who can help you.
ALODOKTER also has features to help you check your risk of contracting COVID-19 more easily. To use this feature, please click the image below.
COVID-19 diagnosis
To determine whether a patient is infected with COVID-19, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms, the patient's travel history, and whether the patient has previously had close contact with people suspected of being infected with COVID-19.
After that, the doctor will perform the following examinations:
- Rapid test, to detect antibodies (IgM and IgG) produced by the body to fight the Corona virus
- Rapid test antigen, to detect antigens, namely proteins that are on the outside of the virus
- PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) or swab test, to detect the Corona virus in phlegm
- CT scan or chest X-ray, to detect infiltrates or fluid in the lungs
- Complete blood test, to check white blood cell levels and C-reactive protein
- Blood gas analysis, to check the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood
Need to know, rapid teston COVID-19 is only used as a screening test or initial examination, not to confirm a COVID-19 diagnosis. Results rapid test Positive does not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. You can get a positive result if you have been infected with other viruses or other types of coronavirus.
On the other hand, a negative COVID-19 rapid test result does not necessarily indicate that you are free from COVID-19. Therefore, whatever the outcome rapid test You, consult with your doctor so that you can be given further guidance, including whether or not it is necessary to confirm the test results with a PCR test. Usually a PCR test will attach a positive or negative result with a value of CT values.
COVID-19 Treatment
Until now, there is no drug that can definitively treat COVID-19. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 but have no symptoms or only have mild symptoms, you can seek treatment or self-isolate at home.
Isolation rooms must have good ventilation and light and adequate air exchange. In addition, the isolation room must also be cleaned every day with soapy water or disinfectant. During self-isolation, keep the following in mind:
- Do self-isolation for 2 weeks by not leaving the house and keeping a distance from people in the same house.
- Always use a mask when leaving the house or when interacting with family members.
- Practice cough etiquette.
- Take body temperature 2 times a day, morning and night.
- Wash hands with soap, running water, or hand sanitizer.
- Drink lots of water to maintain body fluid levels.
- Get enough rest to speed up the healing process.
- Take cough, fever, and pain relievers, after consulting a doctor.
- Pay attention to the symptoms you are experiencing and contact your doctor immediately if the symptoms worsen.
Research shows that COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms can recover within 2 weeks. However, before you end your self-isolation and return to your activities, continue to consult with your doctor to find out if you have met the criteria for recovering from COVID-19.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and have severe symptoms, the doctor will refer you for treatment and quarantine at a referral hospital. Methods that doctors can use include:
- Give medication to reduce complaints and symptoms
- Install a ventilator or breathing apparatus to meet oxygen needs
- Give fluid infusions to stay hydrated
- Give blood thinners and prevent blood clots
- Giving immunosuppressive drugs, eg tocilizumab (Actemra)
- Provide convalescent plasma therapy
Research to find effective treatment methods in dealing with COVID-19 is still being carried out. Several types of drugs being studied to treat COVID-19 are remdesivir, lopinavir-ritonavir, molnupiravir, and favipiravir. In addition, the drug ivermectin which is claimed by many to be able to treat COVID-19 has not yet been proven effective and is still being researched.
Among these drugs, remdesivir is considered the most effective in treating COVID-19 in some patients. However, research on the effectiveness of remdesivir is still ongoing.
Complications of COVID-19
In severe cases, COVID-19 infection can cause serious complications, including:
- Pulmonary edema
- Acute respiratory failure
- Pneumonia
- Acute heart failure
- Acute liver failure
- Secondary infection in other organs, such as black fungus disease
- Kidney failure
- Blood clotting disorders
- Rhabdomyolysis
- ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
- Septic shock
- Death
Moreover, currently appearing the term long haul COVID-19. This term refers to someone who has been declared cured through a negative PCR test result, but still feels complaints such as weakness, cough, joint pain, chest pain, difficulty concentrating, palpitations, or fever that comes and goes.
Covid-19 prevention
Currently, Indonesia is conducting periodic COVID-19 vaccinations to the Indonesian people. Even though vaccination has started to run, the best way to prevent it is to avoid factors that can cause you to be infected with this virus, namely:
- Applyphysical distancing, namely maintaining a minimum distance of 2 meters from other people, and never leaving the house unless there is an urgent need.
- Use a mask when active in public places or crowds, including when going shopping for groceries.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water orhand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, especially after activities outside the home or in public places.
- Do not touch your eyes, mouth and nose before washing your hands.
- Increase endurance with a healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and consumption of nutritious foods and supplements.
- Avoid contact with people with COVID-19, people who are suspected of being positive for COVID-19, or people who are sick with 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 objects that are frequently touched and the environment clean, including the cleanliness of the house.
- Keep the air circulation and cleanliness in the room. If necessary, you can use water purifier.
For people suspected of having COVID-19 (including the category of suspect and probable) previously referred to as ODP (people under monitoring) and PDP (patients under surveillance), there are several steps that can be taken so as not to transmit the Corona virus to others, namely:
- Do self-isolation by staying in a separate room from other people for a while. If this is not possible, use a bedroom and bathroom that is different from that used by other people.
- Take medicines that are recommended by the doctor.
- Take temperature measurements 2 times a day, morning and night.
- Do not leave the house, except to get treatment.
- If you want to go to the hospital when your symptoms get worse, you should first contact the hospital to pick you up.
- Forbid and prevent others from visiting or visiting you until you are completely healed.
- As much as possible do not have meetings with people who are sick.
- Avoid sharing the use of eating and drinking utensils, toiletries, and sleeping equipment with other people.
- Wear a mask and gloves if you have to be in a public place, such as a hospital or with other people.
- Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash immediately.
Conditions that require direct treatment by a doctor in a hospital, such as childbirth, surgery, dialysis, or child vaccination, need to be handled differently with some adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 while you are in the hospital. Consult with your doctor about the best course of action that needs to be taken.
If you want to get more information about the symptoms, prevention and facts about the Corona virus, pleasedownload ALODOKTER application on Google Play or App Store. Through the ALODOKTER application, you can also chat directly with the doctor and make an appointment with the doctor at the hospital.