A 45-year-old woman in Kolkata has been diagnosed with human coronavirus HKU1 on Monday. The woman has been suffering from persistent fever, cough, and cold for the past 15 days. She is presently being treated at a private hospital in South Kolkata and her condition is stable for now.
According to hospital authorities, it is an isolated case and has advised all to take necessary precautions to prevent its spread.
What is human coronavirus HKU1?
Common human coronaviruses, including HKU1, usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses including the common cold. There are different types of human coronaviruses like 229E, NL63, and OC34.
What are the symptoms of HKU1?
The symptoms of HKU1 include:
Runny nose
Sore throat
Headache
Fever
Cough
In severe cases, it could also cause pneumonia or bronchitis as well.
Who is at risk?
People with cardiopulmonary disease, weakened immunity, infants and elderly with comorbidities are at risk.
How to prevent it?
The steps adopted during the Covid-19 would come in handy in tackling HKU1 as well.
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
3. avoid close contact with people who are sick
4. stay home while you are sick
5. avoid close contact with others
6. cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
7. clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
Though there is no vaccine to protect against human coronaviruses, most people recover on their own. Experts advise drinking plenty of fluids and rest to combat the illness.
