The coronavirus detected in China, which specialists call SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), has caused countless cases of respiratory infections, which are easily transmitted when ingested by drops of saliva and respiratory secretions. .
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of influenza, which can lead to hair loss, shortness of heart and headaches; However, it is not yet known exactly how the virus works, WHO recommends that anyone with symptoms found in China, Italy, Iran or anywhere else with a high number of cases, has been in contact with someone who may be infected, contact the health department in your area to find out how to proceed.
Identify the most common symptoms of COVID-19 and the new online game to find out what your risks are.
In people who are not infected, it is recommended to protect themselves to prevent possible infection by taking general measures against any type of virus, such as:
Learn more about the virus in the video below
In more detail, how the coronavirus is transmitted.
During a pandemic such as COVID-19, it is possible to recommend staying home as long as possible to avoid mass contact with people in public places, making it easier to spread the virus.
In these cases, it is important to have specific care at home to protect the whole family, including:
In addition, it is important to follow general precautions against the virus, how to cover your nose and mouth in case you need to stop it and how to prevent multiple people from staying in the same room.
In the event of a sick person at home, it is important to take additional preventive measures, such as cleaning that person in a separate room.
The purpose of the isolation room is to separate sick people from other healthy family members who have been discharged from the hospital, who have been screened for coronavirus and who have had a negative result, because coronavirus produces flu-like symptoms, the common cold, and there is no other way to confirm whether or not you are infected with the virus.
This type of accommodation does not require any special preparation, but you must have the door closed and the sick person in the salt room. In case it is necessary to soil the bao, for example, it is important to wear a mask so that the person can get rid of the corridors of the house. In the end, the bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected every time it is used by that person, mainly bathrooms, watering holes and toilets.
Inside the room, the person should have the same general care, such as using disposable towels to cover the mouth and nose during grooming and frequent hand washing and disinfection. Any object that can be used in the room, such as dishes. , vases or booths, should be moved with water and washed immediately with soap and water.
Also, if a healthy person in the room has to wash before and after being in the room, as well as use disposable handles and masks.
The isolation room should be reserved for sick people with mild or moderate symptoms who may receive treatment at home, such as general discomfort, constant starlings, rapid and weak mucus.
If the person has more severe symptoms, such as a condition that does not prevent him from breathing, it is important to be in contact with health authorities and follow the instructions of professionals, if appropriate to go to the hospital, avoid public transport and wear a disposable mask.
During a pandemic, as in the case of COVID-19, it is ideal to work from home whenever possible, however, if there are no rules that can help reduce the risk of spread of the virus at work:
These rules should be followed with general attention against any type of virus, such as keeping windows open whenever possible to allow air circulation and clean the environment, for example.
When it comes to work, public places should also be avoided except where necessary, such as supermarkets or pharmacies to buy food or medicine, for example.
Other places such as shops, cinemas, gyms or cafes should not be avoided, as they are not considered essential products and favor crowding of people.
Therefore, if it is necessary to go to a public place, it is important to have specific care, such as:
If you can go to well-ventilated public places and outdoors such as parks or gardens for physical exercise, it is recommended to avoid group activities.
It is considered a suspected infection with the new coronavirus (COVID-19), when the person:
In these cases, it is recommended that the person alert the local hospital or health center by phone call and follow the instructions. If it is convenient to go to the hospital for the test and confirm the diagnosis, it is important to take some precautions to prevent transmission of the virus to others, such as:
In addition, it is important for people to know that there has been close contact in the last 14 days, such as family and friends, so that necessary precautions can be taken and symptoms monitored.
The hospital will isolate the person with the name COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus and then perform blood tests such as PCR, respiratory secretions analysis and chest x-ray, which aim to identify the type of virus that causes symptoms. The isolated person is released when the test results are negative for COVID-19 infection.
The disposable mask is not mandatory for everyone, however it is indicated for sick people who must have the hospital in another public place, such as the health center or pharmacy, this is because the mask prevents the entry of people from your environment. contact with droplets that may be released when the starling is removed.
Apparently healthy people do not need to wear masks, as there are other more effective and efficient hygiene measures, such as frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoiding close contact with apparently sick people, and avoiding face-to-face washing.
However, if masks are opted for, surgical devices are sufficient in places that do not have a high number of cases, as these masks cover the nose and mouth, avoiding starling drops and those that are suspended in the air.
However, in areas of high risk of infection, where viral load in the air can be high, it is important to use another type of mask N95, N100, FFP2 or FFP3, as well as eye protection lenses. This type of protection is generally used in places where the number of cases is high by hospital healthcare professionals during direct contact with infected patients.
The types of viruses in the coronavirus family can infect animals, such as camels, bats and cats, and the first cases of the new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), which have been identified in people who have been in contact with animals, for this reason, it is believed that the virus has been transmitted to humans by animals.
However, many people infected with the new coronavirus in contact with animals were close to people infected with animals, confirming that one person may be transmitted by another, by inhaling drops suspended in the air from respiratory and contact secretions. with infected people
Thus, because of the similarity of the flu transmitted by the same disease, it is important to take protective measures, such as washing your hands frequently, avoiding taking your hands to your eyes, nose and mouth. To avoid public places with a lot of people.
According to a scientific survey conducted in the United States in March 2020 [1], SARS-CoV-2 has been found to be able to survive on certain surfaces for up to 3 days, but this duration can vary several times compared to the material. environmental conditions.
Thus, in general, the time that survives the virus that causes COVID-19 appears to be:
This study suggests that contact with infected surfaces may also be a form of transmission of the new coronavirus, however, if further studies are needed to confirm this form of contagion, therefore precautionary measures such as hand washing, the use of alcohol gel and disinfection. potentially infected surfaces. This disinfection can be done with standard detergents, 70% alcohol or a mixture of 250 ml of water with a chlorine sink.
The COVID-19-producing coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, has recently been discovered, so its effects on the body are not yet clear.
However, it is known that in some vulnerable groups it can produce very severe life-threatening symptoms, including people with weakened immune systems, such as:
In these groups, the new coronavirus appears to produce symptoms similar to pneumonia, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which require intensive treatment in the hospital.