Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause
illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS-CoV).
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new
strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in
humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between
animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was
transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to
humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not
yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include 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.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread 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.
Basic
protective measures against the new coronavirus
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak,
available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health
authority. COVID-19 is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks
in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and
recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and
protect others by doing the following:
1. Wash
your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based
hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands
with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be
on your hands.
2. Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and
anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone
coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth
which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets,
including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many
surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the
virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body
and can make you sick.
4.Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good
respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent
elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue
immediately.
Why? Droplets spread
virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you
from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
5. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek
medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and
difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the
directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local
authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your
area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct
you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent
spread of viruses and other infections.
6.Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare
provider
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow
advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health
authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local
authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is
spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your
area should be doing to protect themselves.
Myth busters
1.
COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted
in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of
climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area
reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by
frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be
on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes,
mouth, and nose.
2.
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new
coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around
36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most
effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently
cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and
water.
3.
Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease
Taking a hot bath will not prevent you from catching COVID-19.
Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the
temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely
hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself
against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you
eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that coud occur
by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
4.
The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito
bites.
To date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest
that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new
coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated
when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or
discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with
an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Also, avoid close
contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
5.
Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?
No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To
protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your
hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once
your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or
a warm air dryer.
6.
Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?
UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of
skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
7.
How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected
with the new coronavirus?
Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have
developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of
infection with the new coronavirus.
However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not
yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before
people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
8.
Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new
coronavirus?
No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not
kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can
be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that
both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to
be used under appropriate recommendations.
9.
Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new
coronavirus?
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and
Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against
the new coronavirus.
The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine.
Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is
supporting their efforts.
Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV,
vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your
health.
10.Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent
infection with the new coronavirus?
No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with
saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.
There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with
saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However,
regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory
infections.
11.Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new
coronavirus?
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial
properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating
garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
12.Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger
people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus
(2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions
(such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to
becoming severely ill with the virus.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect
themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good
respiratory hygiene.
13.Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new
coronavirus?
No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore,
antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.
However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may
receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.
14.Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new
coronavirus?
To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or
treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
However, those infected with the virus should receive
appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness
should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under
investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to
accelerate research and development efforts with a range or partners.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) Daily situation reports by WHO: Click Here
Source:- https://www.who.int/
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