Novel Coronavirus outbreak, How can you protect yourself?

India’s first positive case of coronavirus confirmed in a student who returned from Wuhan to Kerala. This is an outbreak of disease whose center point is Wuhan one of the Chinese cities with over 11million population. It’s caused by the novel Coronavirus.

This brand new Coronavirus came from animals and it’s believed that the source is the seafood market in Wuhan which also sells wild animals. So the animal is the primary source of the outbreak. However, the scientist is trying to find the origin of the virus.

The number of people infected with coronavirus in China rises to 9,809, ambassador says, This virus has claimed 213 lives nationwide till now.

as per Al Jazeera reports.

What Is a Coronavirus?

According to WHO, Coronavirus is like other viruses that cause an infection like respiratory symptoms or severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

In 2012 about 858 people have died from MERS in Saudi Arabia.
In May 2015, there was a major outbreak of MERS in Korea.

As per WHO

A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain of coronavirus identified by Chinese authorities that have not been previously identified in humans.

How Coronavirus spread?

This virus transmitted between animals and people. In 2002, China SARS was transmitted from cats to humans. MERS spread from camels to humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012.
The virus spread the same way as other viruses among humans. Through air-ways by coming in contact with infected people coughing and sneezing, by touching them, etc.

The virus transmitted from one person to another. It just came from animals as other Coronavirus do.  So far the cases that come out are from Wuhan or people who visited this place in last week’s.

Symptoms of Coronavirus

According to the WHO, the symptoms of coronaviruses are similar to respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

The symptoms are light in many people that don’t end up in the hospital. But there are severe cases where people develop viral pneumonia and these people end up in the hospital and also deaths are notified among those people.
In China, mostly old people above the age of 40years end up in the hospital and the youngest person diagnosed about 13 or 14years old. So it doesn’t affect children yet. And those who died are already suffering from other vulnerable diseases like heart disease, respiratory disease, kidney disease or cancer. Basically their immune system is weak and can’t cope up with the virus

The incubation period is unknown. As per reports, it’s not as deadly as SARS & MERS, however, the outbreak is widespread across China.
Most cases are reported in Wuhan, China The virus has spread to Asian countries, Australia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Is there any treatment for coronavirus?

There is no vaccine for coronavirus. Also no specific treatment for the disease. However, symptomatic treatment is done as per the patient’s clinical condition.

What are the preventive measures?
One should follow the basic hygiene and safe food practices.

1. Frequent handwashing with soap or handwash
2. Use alcohol-based sanitizer when you are out
3. Visit the doctor for cough, cold, fever
4. Use masks if you have an allergy or walking in crowded places
5. Use tissues while sneezing and coughing
6. Raw or undercooked animal food should be avoided
7. Don’t go to animals farm
8. Get plenty of rest.
9. Drink fluids

Should You Wear a mask?
As per WHO guidelines,
Yes, if you have respiratory symptoms like sneezing, cough, respiratory distress.
Yes, if you are in direct contact with people with respiratory symptoms
Yes, if you are health care providers and dealing with respiratory symptoms patients.
Not, needed for the general public if you don’t have respiratory symptoms.

There’s not any treatment at the moment. Because it’s a virus antibiotic won’t work. Antiviral treatment is given. There are flu drugs but Coronavirus is different from the flu virus. So actually there’s no treatment at the moment. This one is scary because it’s the brand new virus and we don’t know how it will behave.

Myths about Corona Virus

COVID-19 myth vs. fact. Save this post, and refer back to it if you need to!⁣
⁣
Share this post and educate people around you.

Very important – Please refrain from forwarding any news or information related to Coronavirus to WhatsApp groups or any social media.

Please verify the source of every information before following them blindly.

Only follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of health.

The panic is only because it’s a new virus and we don’t know how far it’s severity can go. ⁣Also, masks are advisable to only people suffering from any respiratory infections or other illnesses. 

Wearing masks doesn’t ensure that you will not catch the virus. The emphasis on wearing masks especially by news channels is part of their promotional campaign nothing else.