All you need to know about CoronaVirus, How it spread, myths and prevention

 WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT CORONAVIRUS?

A. What is Coronavirus?

B. How does the virus spread

C. What are the symptoms of Coronavirus

D. How can I protect myself

E. Protecting others from getting sick

F. Myths about the virus

G. How to wear a mask

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

Coronavirus is a new respiratory virus that has not been previously identified in humans. The first case of the virus has been identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. United Nations, Public health officials and partners are working hard to identify the source of the virus. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats.

HOW DOES THE VIRUS SPREAD?

According to World Health Organization, Coronavirus  originally emerged from an animal source but now seems to be spreading from person-to-person. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS

Common signs of Coronavirus infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM CORONAVIRUS

You can protect yourself by:

-  Washing your hands with soap and running water frequently : before and after eating, after using toilet, touching animals or animal waste

- Covering mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing

- Avoiding close contact with anyone who shows symptoms.

- Seek medical care if you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing.

HOW TO PROTECT OTHERS FROM GETTING SICK

You can protect others from getting sick taking the following precautions 

- When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with elbow or tissue

- Throw the tissue in a bin immediately after use

- Clean hands with soap after coughing or sneezing 

- Avoid close contact when you are experiencing cough and fever

- Avoid spitting in public

- Seek medical care if your loved one have fever, cough or difficulty breathing.

MYTHS ABOUT THE VIRUS

>Can pets at home spread the coronavirus?

 >Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people more?

>Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

> Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

CAN PETS AT HOME SPREAD THE VIRUS

 

At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

DOES THE NEW CORONAVIRUS AFFECT OLDER PEOPLE,l OR YOUNGER PEOPLE

People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus .Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. 

ATE ANTIBIOTICS EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING AND TREATING THE NEW CORONAVIRUS?

Antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.

The new coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC MEDICINES  TO PREVENT OR TREAR THE VIRUS?

To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus. However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care.

HOW TO WEAR A MASK

>Can masks protect me against CoronaVirus

>How to put on, use, take off and dispose of a mask

CAN MASK PROTECT ME AGAINST CORONAVIRUS?

Medical masks cannot protect against CoronaVirus when used alone, you should always use them with hand hygiene and other preventative measures. WHO recommends use of masks if you:

- Have cough, fever and difficulty breathing and seek medical care

- Do not have these symptoms you do not have to wear a mask as there is no evidence that they protect people who are not sick

- Are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected CoronaVirus Infection.

HOW TO PUT ON, USE, TAKE OFF, AND DISPOSE OF A MASK

• Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

• Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.

• Avoid touching the mask while using it;

• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.