In recent times, there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases, which makes it important to understand how this tiny virus affects our bodies. Let’s explore the journey of the coronavirus and how it infects and spreads.
The coronavirus is a tiny germ that wants to make more of itself. Inside the virus, there is genetic material that helps it create copies. This genetic material is protected by a protein shell and an outer layer that helps the virus infect healthy cells.
On the outer layer, there are protein spikes. These spikes act like keys that help the virus enter healthy cells.
The coronavirus starts its journey when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing droplets that can land on another person’s mouth, eyes, or nose. This allows the virus to enter the new person’s body.
Once inside, the virus attaches to healthy cells in the nose, throat, airways, or lungs. It uses its spike proteins to fit into the host cell’s receptor molecules, like a key in a lock.
Unlike some viruses that need to enter the host cell’s nucleus, the coronavirus can directly use the host cell’s ribosomes. These ribosomes read the virus’s genetic information to make viral proteins, including the spikes on the virus’s outer layer.
After the viral proteins are made, they are packaged into vesicles inside the host cell. This helps the spikes join with the cell’s outer layer, forming new viruses. These new viruses continue to spread throughout the body, which can lead to severe pneumonia.
The lungs have different parts called lobes. When we breathe, air goes through the windpipe, into the bronchi, and finally into tiny air sacs called alveoli. These alveoli are surrounded by capillaries, where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide.
When the coronavirus enters the body, it can overwhelm the immune system, causing inflammation in the bronchioles and alveoli. This inflammation can fill the alveoli with fluid, making it hard for the body to get the oxygen it needs, which can lead to pneumonia.
There are two types of pneumonia that can happen from a coronavirus infection:
Symptoms can be mild, like headaches and tiredness, or severe, like chest pain, coughing, trouble breathing, fever, and confusion. In extreme cases, respiratory failure may occur, requiring artificial oxygen support through ventilators.
Luckily, scientists have created vaccines to fight the coronavirus. These vaccines contain a part or a weakened version of the virus, which is introduced into the body to trigger an immune response. This helps the body make antibodies that can fight off the stronger version of the virus.
Understanding the coronavirus and its impact on the body is important in the fight against COVID-19. While most people who get the virus have mild to moderate symptoms and can recover, it’s important to follow safety measures and stay informed.
As we go through this pandemic, it’s important to appreciate the hard work of healthcare professionals who are helping those affected. Together, we can overcome this global challenge.
Build a Virus Model: Use craft materials like clay, toothpicks, and beads to create a model of the coronavirus. Make sure to include the protein spikes and the outer layer. Discuss with your friends or family how these parts help the virus infect healthy cells. What do you think would happen if the spikes were missing?
Germ Spread Experiment: Conduct a simple experiment to understand how germs spread. Use glitter or flour to represent germs. Put some on your hands and then touch different objects around the house. Observe how the “germs” spread. Discuss why it’s important to wash hands regularly and how this helps prevent the spread of viruses like the coronavirus.
Question Time: Think about how vaccines work. Why do you think it’s important for scientists to create vaccines? How do vaccines help our bodies fight off viruses? Discuss with your family how vaccines have helped in the past with other diseases.
