In early 2020, a new virus began generating headlines all over the world because of the unprecedented spread of its transmission which is coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It originated in a food market in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 to countries and reached as far-flung as the United States and the Philippines, in the virus has affected tens of thousands, with a rising death toll now over 4,000 and declared as a pandemic by the WHO.
There’s currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (CPVID-19). The best way to prevent this illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus by taking protective measures.
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In this article:
Symptoms of Covid-19
How Covid-19 Spreads
Can Someone Spread the Virus without Being Sick?
Protective Measures
Seek Medical Care
When to Use a Mask?
How to Put On, Use, Take Off and Dispose of the Mask?
Facts about COVID-19
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Symptoms and Protective Measures
Symptoms of Covid-19
The symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (which is the incubation period of the virus) –
How Covid-19 Spreads
Person-to-person spread – the virus spreads mainly from person-to-person –
- Between person in close contact with one another
- Through respiratory droplets produced when coughed or sneezed by an infected person
These droplets can land in the mouths or nose of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can Someone Spread the Virus without Being Sick?
- People are thought to be most contagious (direct contact) when being the most symptomatic (the sickest)
- Some spread might be possible before a person shows symptoms as there have been reports of this occurring with this virus
It is also possible to spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects – a person can get the virus by touching a surface or object having the virus on it and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
How easily the virus spreads – it varies from person-to-person. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily) like measles while other viruses do not spread as easily.
The virus seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (community spread) in some affected geographic areas.
Read More: Human Coronaviruses: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Protective Measures
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak and educate others about the prevention.
Wash Hands Frequently
regularly and thoroughly clean the hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash with soap and water. Washing the hands will kill viruses that may be present on hands.
Maintain Social Distancing
maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone with cough or sneeze. During coughing and sneezing the person spray small liquid droplets from the nose or mouth in which virus may be present. If being too close to the person, droplets can be inhaled by another person including the virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose and Mouth
hands touch many surfaces and can pick up the virus. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to the eyes, nose or mouth and lead to enter the body and the person can become sick.
Practice Respiratory Hygiene
make sure the people around follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering the mouth and nose with bent elbow or tissue during coughing or sneezing. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately because droplets spread the virus to another person.
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Seek Medical Care
If having fever, cough and difficulty breath, seek medical care early and stay home if feeling unwell and seek medical care by calling in advance. Follow the advice given by the doctor.
As provided by Google everyone should do the five to help stop coronavirus –
- Hands –wash them often
- Elbow – cough into it
- Face – don’t touch it
- Space – keep a safe distance
- Home – stay if you can
When to Use a Mask?
- If healthy, wear a mask if coming in contact or taking care of a person with suspected virus infection.
- Wear a mask during coughing and sneezing.
- Masks are only found to be effective when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- If wearing a mask, then you must dispose of it properly.
How to Put On, Use, Take Off and Dispose of the Mask?
- Before putting a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between the face and mask.
- Avoid touching the mask while using it, if touched clean the hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
- Replace the mask with a new fresh mask one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
- To remove the mask – remove it from behind (avoid touching the front of the mask), discard immediately in a closed bin, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water to avoid infection.
Facts about COVID-19
- COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates and affect the people.
- Cold weather and snow do not kill the virus.
- Taking a hot bath does not prevent virus disease.
- Ultraviolet disinfection lamp not be used to sterilize hands and can cause skin irritation.
- Thermal scanners are not effective in detecting people infected with the virus.
- Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body will not kill viruses that have already entered the body.
- Vaccines against pneumonia do not provide protection against the virus.
- There is no evidence found that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the virus.
- There is no evidence found eating garlic has protected people from the virus.
- People of all ages are prone to get infected by the virus. Old age people and people with already pre-existing medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. So it is better to follow good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene by everyone.
- No antibiotics work against this virus.
- Till now there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the virus.
Conclusion
Don’t panic and stay calm. Follow the preventive measures and educate others to do the same. Talk to the doctor for advice. Stay home and stay safe.
References
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
