COVID-19, known as coronavirus disease 2019 or coronavirus disease 2019, is an infection caused by a new type of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and is characterized by the appearance of flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache pain. and general discomfort, as well as shortness of breath.
This infection first appeared in China, but spread rapidly to several countries, and COVID-19 is now considered a pandemic. This rapid spread is mainly due to the easy transmission of the virus, which is done by inhaling saliva droplets and respiratory secretions containing the virus and are suspended in the air.
- It is therefore important that preventive measures are taken to prevent contagion and transmission.
- Helping to combat the pandemic.
- Learn more about coronavirus.
- Its symptoms.
- And how to identify them.
As this is a new virus, there is little information available and there are many doubts left. Here are the main questions about COVID-19 to try to clarify each of them:
Transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 occurs primarily through inhalation of saliva droplets or respiratory secretions in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks, for example, or through contact with contaminated surfaces.
Therefore, to prevent transmission, it is recommended that people who have been confirmed with the new coronavirus, or who have symptoms that indicate infection, wear protective masks to avoid transmitting the virus to others.
There are no cases or evidence that the new coronavirus can be transmitted by mosquito bite, such as other diseases such as dengue and yellow fever, for example, which are only considered to be transmitted by inhalation of droplets in the air containing the virus. Learn more about COVID-19 transmission.
Yes, mainly for the incubation period of the disease, that is, the period between infection and the onset of the first symptoms, which in the case of COVID-19 is about 14 days. Therefore, the person may have the virus unknowingly and, in theory, it is possible to transmit it to other people. However, most infections appear to occur only when the person begins to cough or sneeze.
For this reason, in the case of no symptoms, but being included in a risk group or having had contact with people whose infection has been confirmed, it is recommended to quarantine, as this allows to check for symptoms and, if so, prevent the virus from spreading. Understand what it is and how to quarantine it.
The risk group is the group of people most likely to develop serious complications of infection, mainly due to decreased immune system activity. For example, people in the risk group are people older, 60 years of age, and/or who have chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney failure or hypertension.
In addition, people who use immunosuppressants, undergo chemotherapy, or have recently had surgery, including transplants, are also considered at risk.
Although serious complications are more common in people at risk, all people, regardless of age or immune system, are susceptible to infection, so it is important to follow the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. (WHO).
So far, there is no VACCINE against COVID-19 and it is therefore important to take all preventive measures to prevent contagion and transmission of the virus. However, a number of research is being developed to create a vaccine against this virus, which can be useful both to fight and to prevent the disease.
Existing vaccines, including the influenza and pneumonia vaccine, do not provide protection against COVID-19 because they were developed on the basis of the genetic sequence of viruses responsible for these diseases, which is different from the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2.
Antibiotics have activity only against bacteria and certain fungi and parasites, with no effect on viruses. In addition, when antibiotics are used without medical advice, microbial resistance to antibiotics can be promoted, as well as a decrease in immune system activity, which promotes the development of other diseases.
The treatment of COVID-19 is done with supportive measures, such as hydration, rest and adequate nutrition, and should be performed in isolation to prevent transmission of the virus to others. To date, no antivirals have been identified to act against the new type of coronavirus, but studies have been developed to identify drugs that have action against COVID-19.
It is important to consult travel destination guidelines, as some countries have taken steps to prevent transmission of the virus and there may be an indication of mandatory isolation as soon as it arrives on the scene, for example. In addition, some locations have reported the closure of airports for international flights, also aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.
Planes, trains and buses typically do not have much air circulation and carry a large number of people, which could also promote transmission. Therefore, if a trip is necessary and authorized by sanitary bodies, it is important to take precautionary measures, such as covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoid touching your eyes and mouth, and washing your hands. hand with soap and water often.
Here’s how to wash your hands thoroughly to reduce your risk of viral infection:
According to the WHO, the likelihood of contact with the virus in a country with a large number of cases is very low, as the control is likely to have been exposed to different conditions and variations in temperature and humidity. , which could inactivate the virus. In addition, it is not yet known how long the new coronavirus is able to remain infectious on surfaces.
A March 2020 study [1] by researchers in the United States suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is capable of remaining infectious on surfaces for days, mainly on plastic and stainless steel surfaces, with a shorter survival time in cardboard, which is usually the material in which controls are sent.
If you suspect that the packaging may be contaminated, even if the risk is low, you can disinfect the gel-alcohol packaging, as well as wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
CoVID-19 transmission from pets to humans has not yet been tested. So far, what is known is that transmission is caused by inhalation of saliva droplets and respiratory secretions that are suspended in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, for example.
Although the first cases of infection were from animals to humans, related animals are wild animals, i.e. they are not often found and are also in inadequate conditions in terms of temperature and hygiene.
Although gel alcohol is widely used to prevent infection with infectious agents, including viruses, homemade gel alcohol does not necessarily have the same efficacy. In order for it to function properly, it is important that it has an adequate concentration of alcohol capable of eliminating the infectious agent, in addition to the fact that some homemade gel alcohol recipes indicate the use of certain substances which may promote the development of the micro-organism. Learn more about alcohol gel and other types of antiseptics.
Therefore, to protect yourself it is important to use a 70% alcohol gel, both for hand hygiene and to disinfect surfaces and objects, and to wash your hands with soap and water on a regular basis. In addition, hand dryers or UV lamps do not have a proven virus inhibition or removal effect and should therefore not be used as a means to prevent COVID-19.
So far, there is no information indicating the most appropriate temperature to prevent the spread and development of the virus. However, the new coronavirus has already been identified in several countries with different climates and temperatures, indicating that the virus may not be affected by these factors.
In addition, your body temperature is usually between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius, regardless of the temperature of the water in which you bathe or the temperature of the environment in which you live, and since the new coronavirus is linked to a number of symptoms, it is a sign that manages to develop naturally in the human body, which has higher temperatures.
Diseases caused by viruses, such as colds and flu, occur most often during the winter, as people tend to stay indoors longer, with little air circulation and with many people, making it easier to transmit the virus between populations. However, as COVID-19 has already been reported in countries where it is summer, it is thought that the emergence of this virus is not related to the highest temperature in the environment and can also be easily transmitted among people.
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that vitamin C helps fight the new coronavirus. What is known is that this vitamin helps improve the immune system, as it is rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals, prevent the onset of infectious diseases and can alleviate cold symptoms, for example.
Because it is rich in antioxidants, Chinese researchers [2] are developing a study to test whether the use of vitamin C in critically ill patients is able to improve lung function, promoting an improvement in infection symptoms, as this vitamin is able to prevent influenza through its anti-inflammatory action.
However, there is still no scientific evidence to confirm the effect of vitamin C on COVID-19, and when this vitamin is consumed in excess, there is an increased risk of developing kidney stones and gastrointestinal disturbances, for example.
To protect against coronaviruses, in addition to having a diet that improves immune system activity, favor foods rich in omega-3, selenium, zinc, vitamins and probiotics, such as fish, nuts, orange, sunflower pipes, yogurt, tomatoes. , watermelon and unpeeled potatoes, for example. While garlic has antimicrobial properties, it has not yet been verified if it has an effect on the new coronavirus and is therefore important to invest in a balanced diet. Find out what to eat to improve your immune system.
It is also important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid indoors and with lots of people, and cover your mouth and nose whenever you need to cough or sneeze. In this way, it is possible to avoid the contagion and transmission of the virus to others. Discover other ways to protect yourself from coronavirus.
A study conducted by Swiss and Greek researchers in March 2020 [3] indicated that the use of ibuprofen was able to increase the expression of an enzyme present in cells in the lungs, kidneys and heart, leading to respiratory symptoms. more serious. However, this relationship was based on a single study in diabetics that took into account the expression of the same enzyme, but present in heart tissue.
Therefore, it is not possible to say that the use of ibuprofen is related to the worsening of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Learn more about the possible relationship between coronavirus and ibuprofen use.
Research conducted in March 2020 by US scientists [1] indicated that the survival time of SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19, varies depending on the type of surface found and environmental conditions. Therefore, in general, the virus can survive and remain infectious for approximately:
Although it may be present on surfaces in its infectious form for a few hours, this type of contagion has not yet been determined. However, it is recommended to disinfect surfaces that may contain the virus, as well as use gel alcohol and wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
The time between sampling and publication of the result may vary depending on the type of exam to be performed, which can vary from 15 minutes to 7 days. Results that come out in less time are those obtained by rapid testing, such as immunofluorescence and immunochromatography tests.
The difference between these two is the collected sample: while in immunofluorescence a sample of the airways is used, which is collected through a nasal swab, immunochromatography is performed from a small sample of blood. In both tests, the sample comes into contact with the reagent and, if the person has the virus, is indicated between 15 and 30 minutes, with the case of COVID-19 confirmed.
The test that takes the longest to be published is the PCR, which is a more specific molecular test, considered the gold standard and is primarily performed to confirm the positive case. This test is done from a blood sample or nasal or oral smear sample, and indicates whether there is a SARS-CoV-2 infection and the number of copies of viruses in the body, indicating the severity of the disease.
Clarify more questions about the coronavirus by watching the following video: