What is the novel coronavirus?

Dec 03, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Ren Yi

Introduction

The novel coronavirus is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus characterized by high transmissibility, strong mutability, diverse symptoms, and general susceptibility among the population. When going out, wear masks properly and avoid crowded or poorly ventilated places. Wash hands frequently with running water and soap to maintain hand hygiene. Regularly open windows indoors to ensure proper ventilation and air circulation. Maintain a balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins.

　　The novel coronavirus is an infectious RNA virus named for its unique spike proteins on the surface. This virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact. After entering the human body, it recognizes and binds to receptors on respiratory epithelial cells, invades the cells, replicates extensively, and triggers an immune response. Newly produced viral particles spread throughout the body, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, and fatigue. In some individuals, an overactive immune response or underlying health conditions may lead to more severe lung infections.

　　When going out, wear masks properly and avoid crowded or poorly ventilated places. Wash hands frequently with running water and soap to maintain hand hygiene. Regularly open windows indoors to ensure proper ventilation and air circulation. Maintain a balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins, follow a regular sleep schedule, avoid excessive fatigue, and enhance your body's resistance. If infected, rest at home according to symptom severity or seek medical attention promptly. Drink plenty of warm water to support metabolism, eat light and easily digestible meals, and aid recovery.

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How to determine whether it is a relapse or influenza A

Under normal circumstances, "Jia Liu" refers to influenza A, while "Fu Yang" refers to the phenomenon where patients infected with the novel coronavirus test positive again after their symptoms have disappeared and previous nucleic acid or antigen tests turned negative. Determining whether a case is reinfection (Fu Yang) or influenza A requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors, including medical history, symptoms, fever patterns, routine blood tests, and antibody status. It is recommended to maintain a clean living environment, regularly open windows for ventilation, and wash hands frequently.

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Is headache and sore throat a sign of novel pneumonia?

If there has been recent exposure to novel pneumonia or a visit to crowded places, and symptoms such as headache and sore throat are accompanied by fever, dry cough, fatigue, or even difficulty breathing, one should be alert to the possibility of novel pneumonia. In such cases, viral infection triggers a systemic inflammatory response, simultaneously affecting both the respiratory and nervous systems, leading to these combined symptoms.

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Does menstruation affect nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus?

Nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus primarily involves collecting respiratory samples to detect the presence of viral nucleic acid fragments in the sample. Menstruation is a cyclical physiological change in the female reproductive system that does not alter the presence of the virus in the respiratory tract nor interfere with the laboratory process of nucleic acid testing. Therefore, it generally does not affect the accuracy of test results, and testing can normally be conducted during menstruation.

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Can novel coronavirus pneumonia cause stomach discomfort?

In general, novel coronavirus pneumonia may cause gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms, but not all patients will experience them. The occurrence depends on the stage of illness and individual differences. If symptoms persist or worsen, timely medical evaluation is recommended to determine the underlying cause. Meanwhile, maintain good personal hygiene practices, wear masks, and wash hands frequently.