What is CoronaVirus (Covid-19)?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large group of viruses that cause sickness going from the basic virus to progressively extreme illnesses, for example, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is another strain that was found in 2019 and has not been recently distinguished in people.
What are the Symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid19)
Symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid19) disease includes respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
What are the Precautions to prevent Coronavirus (Covid19)?
Precautions to prevent Coronavirus infections include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Dos and Don’ts for CoronaVirus prevention:
▪ DO wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, several times a day. Use soap
and water or a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Before cooking or eating
• After using the bathroom
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
▪ DON’T touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you have somehow come into
contact with the virus, touching your face can help it enter your body.
• DO learn the symptoms, which are similar to flu: Fever, Cough, Shortness of
breath, Most cases do not start with a runny nose.
▪ DON’T wear a mask unless you’re sick. Masks help protect others from
catching the virus, but wearing one when you’re healthy won’t do much.
Demand has been so high worldwide that shortages have begun. Leave the
masks for people who really need them, like sick or health care
professionals.
▪ DO consider taking extra precautions and staying out of public places if
you’re over 60 years old, or have a condition, as you have a higher risk of
developing the disease. Note that as of now, the highest-risk groups appear
to be seniors and people with preexisting conditions like heart disease,
chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
▪ DON’T travel if you have a fever. If you get sick on the flight, tell the crew
immediately. When you get home, contact a health professional.
▪ DO reconsider travel to affected countries. Currently, the CDC advises
against all nonessential travel to China and South Korea. For people in a
higher-risk group — seniors and people with preexisting conditions — the
agency suggests postponing nonessential travel to Italy, Japan, and Iran as
well. Find the latest advisories here.
▪ DON’T panic. At this point, public health officials still say the risk of
becoming infected with COVID-19 is low. Taking proper precautions —
wash your hands! — and making preparations are the best things you can.
▪ DO: Prepare by making sure you have supplies at home in case someone
gets sick and needs to be quarantined. This would include prescription
medications for anyone in the family, other health supplies such as over-the counter pain relievers, and disinfectants to clean household surfaces. Studies
suggest that coronaviruses can live on surfaces for a few hours or up to
several days. Clean them regularly with a disinfectant to kill the virus.
Dos and Don’ts When You Don’t Feel Well
▪ DO seek help early if you have a fever, cough, and a hard time breathing.
But don’t just drop into the nearest urgent care clinic. Call your doctor to
find out the protocol first, to make sure you won’t spread the disease to
others.
▪ DON’T go out except to see your doctor, after calling first. And if you do
have to go out, avoid public transportation, taxis, and ride-sharing.
▪ DO cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue, and dispose of
the tissue immediately in a covered bin. (You should be doing this whether
or not you suspect COVID-19 — you don’t want to spread a common cold,
either.)
▪ DON’T hang out with your family or pets if you suspect you have the virus.
In order to protect them, eat and sleep separately from them, try to stay in
one room, and use a separate bathroom if possible. Yes, pets are included in
the recommendations. There has been one report of a dog testing positive in
Hong Kong for the virus. But officials there said they are not sure the dog is
actually infected. The CDC says experts don’t know for sure whether pets
can catch it.
▪ DO wear a mask properly around others if you suspect you may have the
virus — the mask itself can be a source of infection if you don’t follow the
guidelines. The World Health Organization has videos on when and how to
use a mask.
▪ DON’T reach for antibiotics. If you happen to have some lying around from
a previous illness, you may be tempted. But antibiotics work only on
illnesses caused by bacteria, and the corona virus is — you guessed it — a
virus
