How to Protect yourself from the Coronavirus

The coronavirus detected in China was designated by specialists as COVID-19 has caused countless cases of respiratory infections, as it seems to be easily transmitted through the air by saliva drops and respiratory secretions.

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to those of the flu & can cause cough, fever, shortness of breath & headache. Although, the way in which the virus works is not yet known, recommends that anyone with symptoms who have been in China or in contact with someone who may be infected put on a mask & go to the hospital.

When people are not infected, it is recommended to protect themselves to avoid possible contagion & adopting measures such as:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap & water for at least  20 seconds, especially after being in contact with someone who may be sick;
2. Avoid frequenting public places, closed and with many people, such as shopping centers or gyms;
3. Cover your mouth and nose whenever you need to cough or sneeze, using a tissue or clothes, for example;
4. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth frequently  with dirty hands;
5. Wear a personal protective mask to cover the nose and mouth, when in a public or closed place;
6. Do not share personal items that may be in contact with saliva drops or respiratory secretions, such as cutlery, glasses, & toothbrushes;
7. Avoid wild animals or any type of animal that appears to be sick;
8. Cook any type of food well, especially meat;
9. Maintain well ventilated closed environments, open windows to allow air circulation

A doctor suspects the coronavirus in the hospital, the person should remain in an isolated place until the infection is confirmed, in addition to requesting tests to determine what type of virus is causing the symptoms.

If the coronavirus infection is confirmed, the person will be hospitalized receiving serum intravenously for hydration & medications to relieve pain and cough. the body itself has a defense mechanism to eliminate the virus, however, research is being done so that antiviral drugs are used in these cases.

Learn better how coronavirus is transmitted.

What to do in Case of Suspicion

The new coronavirus was identified in a specific area of   China, therefore, there is the only suspicion of the disease, if the person has been in this region or has maintained contact with any person and animal that may be infected by the virus. if a person has symptoms that are very similar to those of the flu, they should not be alert if they have not been in contact with people who have been in that region of China.

However, in situations where the person traveled to places with confirmed cases, for example, & has symptoms, it is recommended to put on a mask and seek medical attention in a hospital.

In the hospital, the person with suspected coronavirus will be placed in an isolated place to prevent the virus from spreading, blood tests will be performed, such as PCR & collection of nasal secretion samples and which will be used to identify the type of virus that is causing the symptoms.

What mask should I use?

In regions outside the center of the epidemic, that is, outside of China, the use of masks is a sufficient measure to delay the transmission of any type of virus that is transmitted through saliva, such as coronaviruses. This is because, in most cases, these masks cover the nose & mouth, preventing sneeze & cough drops from spreading through the air.

However, in regions with a higher risk of coronavirus infection, where there may already be a high viral load in the air, in addition to preventing the spread of the virus, it is also important to avoid any type of possible contact and, therefore, it is recommended to use type N95, N100, FFP2 or FFP3 masks, as well as protective lenses. This type of protection is usually used at the site of infection and by health professionals in the hospital because they are in direct contact with infected patients.

How Coronavirus is Transmitted

The types of coronavirus family viruses can infect animals, such as camels, bats, & cats, & the first cases of the new coronavirus called COVID-19, were identified in people who had contact with animals, so it is believed that the coronavirus was transmitted to people through animals. See the types of coronaviruses already identified.

However, many people infected with the new coronavirus have not been in contact with animals, however, they were close to people infected by animals and this indicates that transmission can happen from one person to another, through drops of saliva & of respiratory secretions that are released especially through coughing & sneezing.

Thus, due to the similarity of what happens with the flu that is transmitted in the same way, it is important to take protective measures, such as frequently washing your hands, avoiding placing your hands on your eyes, nose, & mouth, in addition, to avoid public places with many people.

How the virus Affects the Body

Coronavirus COVID-19 was recently discovered, so it is certainly not know what it can cause in the body of people, however, the symptoms may not be as strong in people with a healthy immune system and this virus may seem like simple flu. or cold

In people with a disease that affect the immune system and who have low immunity due to some treatment, such as chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation, the new coronavirus can cause symptoms similar to those of pneumonia, Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome, called MERS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome, known by the acronym SRAG or SARS. Learn more about SARS.

How the Treatment is Performed

Once the coronavirus infection has been confirmed, the doctor will indicate the hospitalization and isolation of the person, to avoid contaminating other people and providing medications to relieve the symptoms of cough, fever, & pain, in addition to receiving intravenous serum to maintain the hydration of the organism.

Also, there are still no specific medications to eliminate the coronavirus from the body, but research is underway to define which antiviral medications can be used in these cases. Either way, the human body has defense cells that make up the immune system and fight these viruses naturally, so having rest and good nutrition can strengthen the immune system & help in the elimination of the coronavirus.