The science behind COVID-19 (and preventive measures)
I’m pretty sure that everyone knows about COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) by now - it has just been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). But how does it infect our cells, and how can we protect ourselves against it?
As with many other viruses, COVID-19 works by docking itself onto cellular receptors - in this case, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). A spike protein on the virus binds to ACE2, allowing it to enter the cell - this pathway bears some similarities to the related virus which resulted in the 2003 SARS outbreak. As ACE2 is most commonly found in the respiratory system, the most serious symptoms are often respiratory in nature.
Symptoms include fever, dry cough, fatigue, phlegm production, and shortness of breath amongst others.
When the virus releases its genetic material into the cell, its genetic material directs our cellular machinery to synthesise viral proteins and replicate its RNA, which assemble in the cell and are released into the extracellular environment when formed, allowing the virus to be spread to other cells. The host cell may also eventually burst and die.
As COVID-19 is a virus, antibiotics do not work against it; antibiotics work by targeting bacterial structures or processes, which are are not present in viruses.
Alcohol, on the other hand, works against both bacteria and COVID-19. This is because they have phospholipid bilayers surrounding them, which are dissolved by alcohol. This mechanical disruption of the viral envelope results in the virus being unable to merge with our cellular membrane and release its genetic material into our cells. Soap also acts as a disruptor of phospholipid membranes - which is why even non-antibacterial soaps are effective at slowing the spread of COVID-19. It is advised to wash your hands with soap regularly (for at least 20 seconds) and to use hand sanitiser if hand washing is not possible.
As COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets which can be produced by breathing, speaking, sneezing, and coughing amongst other ways, it is advised to avoid unnecessary human contact and to wear face masks if sick. Sneezes and coughs should be covered with tissue paper, which should be disposed of immediately. While there have been reports that COVID-19 can be spread by asymptomatic carriers, it is believed that it is most likely to be spread by symptomatic patients.
What do I do if I’m sick?
If you’re in the US or UK, visit the links below and follow the instructions/guidance if you are sick; for other countries, please visit your country’s health ministry’s website for further guidance.
US: CDC - Prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick
UK: NHS 111 - About coronavirus (COVID-19)
To all readers, please take all necessary precautions and stay safe! Wishing you the best of health. xx
Extras: Check out Wash Your Lyrics to create your own customised hand-washing poster from any song of your choice! I used this website to generate the poster above.
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