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.
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