A 45-year-old woman from Kolkata has been diagnosed with human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Doctors say her condition is stable, but this case has raised concerns because not many people know about this virus.
While it is not the same as COVID-19, it still belongs to the coronavirus family and can cause serious breathing problems in certain people. Here’s everything we need to know about it.
What is Human Coronavirus HKU1?
Human coronavirus Hku1 is a type of virus that mainly affects the lungs and respiratory system. It was first discovered in 2005 and is part of the same family as SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. However, HKU1 is usually not as dangerous as these viruses.
Most people who get infected experience symptoms similar to the common cold, like:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Mild fever
- Sore throat
However, in some cases, especially in people with weak immune systems, it can cause severe lung infections like pneumonia.
Who is at risk?
For most healthy peopleHKU1 is not a big threat and goes away on its own. But some people are more likely to develop serious complications, such as:
- Elderly people (especially those above 60)
- Infants and young children
- People with lung diseases (like asthma and COPD)
- Those with weak immune systems (such as cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, or HIV/AIDS patients)
- People with chronic illnesses (like diabetes and heart disease)
If a person in these groups gets infected, the virus can lead to serious breathing problems and may require hospital treatment.
How does HKU1 spread?
This virus spreads just like the common cold or flu, mainly in three ways:
- Through coughs and sneezes – If an infected person coughs or sneezes near you, the virus can enter your body.
- By touching contaminated surfaces – The virus can survive on objects like door handles, phones, or tables. If you touch these and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes, you might get infected.
- Close contact with an infected person – Being near someone who has the virus for a long time increases your risk.
Doctors say that many people don’t even realize they have HKU1 because its symptoms are so similar to a cold or flu. That’s why it often goes undiagnosed.
Should you be worried?
Doctors treating the Kolkata patient have assured that this is an isolated case, and there is no major outbreak. While HKU1 is not a new virus, it is not commonly tested for, so many cases go unnoticed.
For most people, it is not dangerous. However, those in high-risk groups should take extra precautions to avoid getting sick.
How to protect yourself?
There is no vaccine or specific medicine for HKU1, but you can follow some simple steps to reduce your risk:
- Wash your hands regularly – Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds to kill any virus.
- Wear a mask in crowded places – This helps prevent infection from respiratory droplets.
- Avoid close contact with sick people – If someone around you has cold or flu-like symptoms, keep your distance.
- Don’t touch your face – Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean.
- Sanitize frequently touched surfaces – Clean objects like doorknobs, mobile phones, and keyboards regularly.
- Eat healthy and stay active – A strong immune system helps fight off infections better.
