Coronavirus (COVID-19) .. How and Why

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Coronavirus (COVID-19)..

How and Why

  Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The virus’s proliferation has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, meaning it is spreading rapidly in different parts of the world. More than 160 countries have confirmed cases so far. 

Symptoms:

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath 

The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. 

How COVID-19  Spreads

According CDC COVID -19 Spreads

1.     Person-to-person spread

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

2.     Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

How long can the coronavirus stay airborne?

A recent study found that the COVID-19 coronavirus can survive up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. The researchers also found that this virus can hang out as droplets in the air for up to three hours before they fall. But most often they will fall more quickly.  There's a lot we still don't know, such as how different conditions, such as exposure to sunlight, heat, or cold, can affect these survival times.  As we learn more, continue to follow the CDC's recommendations for cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects every day.

Can I catch the coronavirus by eating food handled or prepared by others?

So we currently cannot rule out the possibility of the infection being transmitted through food by an infected person who has not thoroughly washed their hands. In the case of hot food, the virus would likely be killed by cooking. This may not be the case with uncooked foods like salads or sandwiches.

Prevention:

What can I do to protect myself and others from COVID-19?

ü  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

ü  If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

ü  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

ü  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

ü  Wear a facemask if you are sick

ü  Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community  (about 6 feet)

ü  Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

ü  Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you're sick.

ü  Stay home from work, school and public areas if you're sick, unless you're going to get medical care. Avoid taking public transportation if you're sick

ü  avoiding having visitors to your home

ü  monitor yourself for 14 days for symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing avoid crowded places and increase your personal space from others whenever possible

 Can a person who has had coronavirus get infected again? 

According harvard.edu:

While we don't know the answer yet, most people would likely develop at least short-term immunity to the specific coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, you would still be susceptible to a different coronavirus infection. Or, this particular virus could mutate, just like the influenza virus does each year. Often these mutations change the virus enough to make you susceptible, because your immune system thinks it is an infection that it has never seen before.

Boosting your immune system to fight the coronavirus: what you need to know

-         Proper handwashing: the coronavirus is killed by proper handwashing for 20 seconds with soap or using hand sanitizer that is greater than 60% alcohol.

-         Don’t smoke

-         Get adequate sleep

-         The right amount of exercise

-         Stress management: While acute stressors may temporarily enhance immune functions, chronic stressors likely diminish immune function.

-         Vitamin C supplement is beneficial for COVID-19

-         Vitamin D boosting immunity

-         Getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, and seeds is a common recommendation

-         Maintain a healthy weight.

-         Getting sunshine and fresh air where possible

How to practice social distancing?

- Stay home

- Avoid all crowded places or events

- Stay 3 to 6 feet away from people outside of your own family

- wash your hands often, especially before you eat and as soon as you get home from being outside

- cautious and avoiding physical contact with older adults for at least the next few weeks.

- recommend staying connected with phone calls, video chats, and social media.

How do I know if I have COVID-19 or the regular flu?

  COVID-19 often causes symptoms similar to those a person with a bad cold or the flu would experience. And like the flu, the symptoms can progress and become life-threatening. Your doctor is more likely to suspect coronavirus if:  you have respiratory symptoms and  you recently traveled to countries with ongoing community spread of the COVID-19 virus, or you have been exposed to someone suspected of having COVID-19, or there has been community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 in your area.

Seee table for differences:

Diagnosis

Your doctor may determine whether to conduct tests for COVID-19 based on your signs and symptoms. To test for COVID-19, your doctor may take samples, including a sample of saliva (sputum), a nasal swab and a throat swab, to send to a lab for testing

What treatments are available to treat coronavirus?

Currently, no antiviral medication is recommended to treat COVID-19.

Treatment is directed at relieving symptoms and may include:

 Pain relievers (acetaminophen)

Cough syrup or medication

 Rest Fluid intake

 If your doctor thinks you can be treated at home, he or she may give you special instructions, such as to isolate yourself as much as possible from family and pets while you're sick and to stay home for a period of time. If you're very ill, you may need to be treated in the hospital.

 

 Read More about

- HAND WASHING ... HOW & WHY ?

- N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks (Face Masks)

- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks

- What is H1N1 "Swine" flu?

References:

-         https://www.dietdoctor.com/coronavirus

-         https://www.healthline.com/health-news/social-distancing-what-to-know#How-to-practice-social-distancing

-         https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center

-         https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coronavirus-vs-flu#severity-and-mortality

-         https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20479976

-         https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html?topic=ex-col-faq#p

-         https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

-         https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-and-surgical-masks-face-masks

-         https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html