Coronavirus: 9 steps to protect yourself from the epidemic

The coronavirus detected in China, which was named by experts as COVID-19, has been causing numerous cases of respiratory infections, since it can be easily transmitted through the air through saliva droplets and respiratory secretions.

Coronavirus symptoms are similar to those of the flu, which can lead to the onset of cough, fever, shortness of breath and headache. Since not much is known about how the virus works, the WHO recommendations are that anyone with symptoms who has been in China or in contact with someone who may be infected, put on a mask and go to the hospital.

As for people who are not infected, the guidelines are especially to try to protect themselves against possible contamination, which can be done with measures such as:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in contact with someone who may be sick; Avoid frequenting public places, closed and crowded, such as shopping malls or gyms; Cover your mouth and nose whenever you need to cough or sneeze, using a disposable handkerchief or clothes, for example; Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth frequently and whenever your hands appear to be dirty; Use an individual protection mask to cover your nose and mouth whenever you need to be in a closed public place; Do not share personal objects that may be in contact with saliva droplets or respiratory secretions, such as cutlery, glasses and toothbrushes; Avoid contact with wild animals or any type of animal that appears to be sick; Cook any type of food, especially meat; Keep the indoors well ventilated, opening the window to allow air circulation.

In addition, if the doctor also suspects coronavirus at the hospital, the person will need to stay in an isolated location until the infection is confirmed, in addition to ordering tests to see what type of virus is causing the symptoms.

If the coronavirus infection is confirmed, the person will be hospitalized receiving serum in the vein, for hydration, and medicines to relieve pain and cough. The body itself has defense mechanisms to eliminate the virus, however, some research is being carried out so that antiviral drugs are used in these cases.

Watch the following video and better understand how coronavirus transmission happens and how to protect yourself:

What to do in case of suspicion

The new coronavirus has been identified in a specific area in China and, therefore, there is only suspicion of the disease if the person has been in this location or has maintained contact with any person and / or animal that may be infected by the virus. So, even if a person has symptoms, which are very similar to flu, he should not be on the alert if he has not been in contact with anyone who has been in that region of China.

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

At the hospital, the person suspected of having a coronavirus will be placed in an isolated location to prevent the virus from spreading, and then some blood tests, such as PCR, and collection of secretions from the nose will be done, which serve 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 China, the use of "surgical mask" masks is a sufficient measure to delay the transmission of any type of virus that is transmitted through saliva droplets, such as the coronavirus. This is because, in most cases, these masks cover the nose and mouth, preventing the droplets from sneezing and coughing from being scattered through the air.

However, in regions with a higher risk of infection, where there may already be a high viral load in the air, in addition to preventing the virus from spreading, it is also important to avoid any type of possible contact and, therefore, it is recommended to use a mask type N95, N100, FFP2 or FFP3, in addition to goggles, to protect the eyes. This type of protection is usually used at the site of the infection and by health professionals in the hospital, when in direct contact with infected patients.

How to get coronavirus

The types of virus in the coronavirus family can infect animals, such as camels, bats and cats, and the first cases of the new coronavirus, named COVID-19, were identified in people who had contact with animals, so it is believed that this virus has passed for people through these animals. See what are the types of coronavirus already identified.

However, many people infected with the new coronavirus have not been in contact with animals, but have been close to people infected by the animals, confirming that transmission from person to person is possible through inhalation of respiratory droplets and contact with infected people.

Thus, and as with flu, which is transmitted in the same way, it is important to take protective measures such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding placing your hands on your eyes, nose and mouth, as well as avoiding public places with many people..

Watch the following video and check out the importance of these measures in preventing an epidemic:

How the virus affects the body

The coronavirus COVID-19 was recently discovered, so it is not clear what it can cause to people's bodies, however, the symptoms may not be very strong in people with a healthy immune system, and this virus can look like flu or simple cold.

In people with diseases 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 pneumonia, a respiratory syndrome in the Middle East, called MERS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome, also known by the acronyms SRAG or SARS. Learn more about SARS.

What is the treatment

If the coronavirus infection is confirmed, the doctor will indicate that the person is hospitalized in isolation, so that it does not contaminate other people, and medications will be given to relieve the symptoms of cough, fever and pain, in addition to receiving serum in the vein to maintain hydration. of the body.

In addition, there are still no specific drugs to eliminate coronavirus from the body, but studies are being carried out to define which antiviral drugs can be used in these cases. Anyway, the human body has defense cells that make up the immune system and that fight these viruses naturally, so resting and a good diet can strengthen immunity and help eliminate the coronavirus.