Human Coronavirus HKU1

Human Coronavirus HKU1 Latest News

A 45-year-old woman from Garia, Kolkata, has been diagnosed with human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1).

About Human Coronavirus HKU1

• Human coronavirus HKU1 is also known as Betacoronavirus hongkonense. It is a species of coronavirus that can affect both humans and animals.
• Origin: It was first identified in 2004 by researchers at Hong Kong University, which is how it got its name.
• Symptoms: According to the CDC and NIH, symptoms of HKU1 include a runny nose, fever, coughing, wheezing, headache, and sore throat. While symptoms are usually mild, untreated cases can sometimes lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
• Transmission: It is transmitted during direct contact with the infected person via respiratory droplets (coughing or sneezing), touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face, mouth, or nose.
• Vulnerability: The disease is self-limiting and resolves on its own. But vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, pregnant women, those with immuno-compromised conditions or with co-morbidities need to be vigilant for severe manifestation of the disease.
• Treatment: There is no vaccine or specific treatment for human coronaviruses. Most infected individuals get better on their own.

Difference Between HKU1 and COVID-19

• HKU1 and COVID-19 are both caused by coronaviruses, but it is not same as Covid-19 and is less severe than Covid-19.
• HKU1 is one of the four endemic human coronaviruses that cause common cold and croup, while COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that can cause severe respiratory illness and has caused a global pandemic.

Human Coronavirus HKU1 FAQs

Q1. Is HKU1 the same as COVID-19?

Ans. No, HKU1 is different from COVID-19; HKU1 is a common cold-causing coronavirus, whereas COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Q2. What is human corona?

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Ans. Human coronaviruses are a group of RNA viruses causing respiratory tract infections in humans, ranging from mild colds to severe diseases like SARS, MERS, and COVID-19.

Q3. What are the seven human coronaviruses?

Ans. The seven human coronaviruses are 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, SARS-CoV (SARS), MERS-CoV (MERS), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Q4. What is the origin of HKU1?

Ans. HKU1 likely originated from rodents and was first identified in 2004 in Hong Kong.

Source: IE