CORONAVIRUS
Coronaviruses (COVID-19) are a large family of viruses that causes illness ranging from the common cold to more severe disease. The most recently discovered coronavirus is caused by the coronavirus disease COVID-19.
It is an infectious disease caused by the recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally.
SYMPTOMS
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and will recover without hospitalization.
Most common symptoms:
- fever,
- dry cough,
- tiredness.
Less common symptoms:
- aches and pains,
- sore throat,
- diarrhea,
- conjunctivitis,
- headache,
- loss of taste or smell,
- a rash on the skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes.
Severe symptoms:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
- chest pain, or pressure,
- loss of speech or movement.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have severe symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or healthcare facility.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.
On average it takes 5–6 days from when a person is infected with the virus to show symptoms, however it can take up to 14 days.
Many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is especially true in the early stages of the disease. It is possible to catch it from someone who has just a mild cough and does not feel ill. Some reports have indicated that people with no symptoms can transmit the virus. It is not yet known how often it occurs.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
People can catch it from others who have the virus. The disease spreads mainly from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or speaks. These droplets are relatively heavy, do not travel far and quickly sink to the ground. People can catch COVID-19 if they breathe in these droplets from a person infected with the virus. This is why it is important to stay at least 1 meter away from others. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces around the person such as tables, doorknobs, and handrails. People can get infected by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. This is why it is important to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand rub.
CAN ANIMALS CATCH COVID-19?
COVID-19 spreads through human-to-human transmission.
We already know a lot about other viruses in the coronavirus family and most of these types of viruses have an origin in animals. The COVID-19 virus (also called SARS-CoV-2) is new in humans. The possible animal source of COVID-19 has not yet been confirmed but research is ongoing.
Several dogs and cats in contact with infected humans have tested positive for COVID-19. Besides, to be highly susceptible to the infection. In experimental conditions, both cats and ferrets were able to transmit the infection to other animals of the same species. However, there is no evidence that these animals can transmit the disease to humans and spread COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.
Minks raised in farms have also been detected with the virus. Most likely, they have been infected by farmworkers. In some instances, the minks that were infected by humans have transmitted the virus to other people. These are the first reported cases of animal-to-human transmission.
It is still recommended that people who are ill with COVID-19 and those who are at risk limit contact with a companion and other animals. Basic hygiene measures should always be implemented when handling and caring for animals. This includes hand washing after handling animals, their food or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing, licking, or sharing food.
PREVENTIONS
To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain at least 1-meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
If you have minor symptoms, such as a slight cough or a mild fever, there is generally no need to seek medical care. Stay at home, self-isolate, and monitor your symptoms. Follow national guidance on self-isolation.
However, if you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever you mustn't ignore symptoms of fever. Seek medical help. When you attend the health facility wear a mask if possible, keep at least 1-meter distance from other people, and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If it is a child who is sick help the child stick to this advice.
Seek immediate medical care if you have difficulty breathing or pain/pressure in the chest. If possible, call your health care provider in advance, so he/she can direct you to the right health facility.
When grocery shopping, keep at least 1-meter distance from others and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. If possible, sanitize the handles of shopping trolleys or baskets before shopping. Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased products.
There is currently no confirmed case of COVID-19 transmitted through food or food packaging.
IS THERE A VACCINE FOR COVID-19?
While some western, traditional, or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of mild COVID-19, there are no medicines that have been shown to prevent or cure the disease. World Health Organization does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials of both western and traditional medicines. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-ISOLATION, SELF-QUARANTINE, AND DISTANCING?
Quarantine means restricting activities or separating people who are not ill themselves but may have been exposed to COVID-19. The goal is to prevent the spread of the disease at the time when people just develop symptoms.
In this case:
- Have a large, well-ventilated single room with hand hygiene and toilet facilities
- If this is not available place beds at least 1 meter apart.
- Keep at least 1-meter distance from others, even from your family members.
- Monitor your symptoms daily
- Self-quarantine for 14 days, even if you feel healthy
- If you develop difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider immediately – call them first if possible.
- Stay positive and energized by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising yourself at home.
Isolation means separating people who are ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and may be infectious to prevent the spread of the disease.
Physical distancing means being physically apart. WHO recommends keeping at least 1-meter distance from others. This is a general measure that everyone should take even if they are well with no known exposure to COVID-19.
HOW TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?
In this pandemic, it is important to strengthen your immune system to stay safe from the diseases. We all have heard about 'daadi maa ke nukshe', that can be easily made in the Indian kitchen. You may try one or more of these tricks.
- Gooseberry: It is a nutritious fruit that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Tender Neem Leaves: It leaves are consumed in the morning on the empty stomach. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties and helps to increase your immune system.
- Kadha: It plays an important role in fighting illness-causing bacteria and increases the body's immunity. You just have to make a warm tea with few Basil Leaves, a piece of Ginger, a small stick of Giloy, and a dash of Black Pepper.
- Ginger-Basil: It boosts your digestive abilities and gets relief from cough. Take a juice of fresh ginger, crush some basil leaves in it and add a teaspoon of honey to it.
- Basil-Peppercorn: Take a 5-6 basil leaves, add two crushed peppercorns with a teaspoon of honey and consume immediately on an empty stomach and don't drink water after this.
- Turmeric Jaggery Ginger Balls: Take a teaspoon powdered turmeric, 1 teaspoon jaggery, 1 teaspoon cow ghee, and 1 teaspoon dry ginger powder. Mix it well and make it into small round balls. You may have 2-3 daily.
- Turmeric Milk: The combination of milk and turmeric is always good for boosting the immune system. You add have half a teaspoon of turmeric in one cup of boiled milk. Mix well and drink hot. It is advised to consume milk at night 20-30 minutes before going to bed.
- Yoga and Meditation: Yoga and mindful meditation can keep us healthy during this pandemic. It is well-known that the benefits of yoga are far beyond physical. Yoga has helped change the lives of several people across the world.
ADDITIONAL POINTS
- There have not been reports of fecal-oral transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, there is no evidence to date on the survival of the COVID-19 virus in water or sewage.
- The most important thing to know about coronavirus on surfaces is that they can easily be cleaned with common household disinfectants that will kill the virus. Studies have shown that the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, less than 4 hours on copper, and less than 24 hours on cardboard.
As always clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
STAY SAFE, STAY HOME!!
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