What is coronavirus?

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses make up an extensive family of proven viruses pathogenic properties in relation to humans or animals. It is known that a number of coronaviruses can cause in humans respiratory infections ranging from a common cold to more serious conditions such as Middle Eastern respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Last recently discovered coronavirus causes disease COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 – an infectious disease caused by the last of recently discovered coronaviruses. Before the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 there was nothing about the new virus and disease is known

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, fatigue and dry cough. Near patients may experience various pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, pharyngitis or diarrhea. These symptoms usually develop. gradually and are weakly expressed. Some infected persons do not experience any symptoms or bad well-being. Most people (about 80%) have a disease ends with recovery, with specific healing no events required. In about one in six cases COVID-19 causes severe symptoms with respiratory insufficiency. In older people, as well as people with somatic diseases, for example, arterial hypertension, heart disease or diabetes, the likelihood of a severe course diseases are higher. In the presence of fever, cough and shortness of breath should seek medical help

How does the virus spread?

COVID-19 can be infected by other people if they are infected. the virus. The disease can be transmitted from person to person. through small drops discharged from the nose or mouth of a patient COVID-19 when coughing or sneezing. These drops fall on the person around objects and surfaces. Other people may become infected as a result. touching first such objects or surfaces, and then to eyes, nose, or mouth. In addition, infection can occur when inhaling small drops that are released when coughing or sneezing person with COVID-19. For this reason, it is important to stay away from the patient. person at a distance of more than 1 meter

WHO monitors progress on transmission routes COVID-19 and will publish information as it is updated.

Is the virus causing COVID-19 transmitted through the air?

According to current scientific data, a more significant factor Transmissions than air are precisely small droplets released from respiratory tract. See the answer to the previous question – How is the virus spreading?

Is it possible to get COVID-19 from a person who doesn’t have are there any symptoms?

The virus mainly spreads through drops secreted from human respiratory tract when coughing or sneezing. Risk of infection from a person who does not have any symptoms is extremely low. With another on the other hand, many people have very severe COVID-19 symptoms. weakly. This is especially true in the early stages of the disease. So Thus, the risk of transmitting COVID-19 from a person who does not feel himself sick and has only a mild cough, exists. WHO tracks ongoing research on the interval issue the time during which the sick person remains contagious, and will publish information as it is updated

Can I get COVID-19 through the feces of a patient? person?

The risk of 2019-nCoV infection through feces appears to be the infected person is small. According to preliminary studies of the virus in some cases can be detected in feces, however, such a transfer mechanism does not play a leading role in the current outbreak of the disease. WHO examines ongoing studies regarding the transfer of COVID-19 and will publish information as it is updated. This risk cannot be completely discount, and this once again confirms the importance of regular washing hands after using the toilet and before eating

How can I protect myself and prevent the spread disease?

Personal precautions for everyone

Keep up to date with flash information you can find. on the WHO website and also receive from national and local representatives of public health services. In many COVID-19 infections have been reported worldwide some outbreaks of the disease. The Chinese authorities, as well as several others countries in which outbreaks were recorded managed to slow down spread of the disease or stop it completely. Not less the situation is still unpredictable, and therefore Stay up to date with the latest developments.

By taking simple precautions you can reduce your risk. infection or spread of COVID-19:

• Treat your hands regularly with an alcohol-based product or wash them with soap.
  Why is it needed? If on the surface of the hands if a virus is present, then hand treatment with an alcohol-containing agent or washing them with soap will kill him.

• Keep at least one meter away from coughing or sneezing people.
  Why is this needed? When coughing or sneezing from your nose or the smallest virus-containing drops that a person releases spreads around itself. Being too close to that to a person, you risk inhaling these drops and getting infected from him, in including coronavirus infection if a person is sick COVID-19.

• If possible, do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  Why is this needed? Hands touch many surfaces, and the virus can get on them. Caught in the arms viral particles can enter the eyes, nose, or mouth. From these parts body virus can invade the body and cause disease.

• Both you and others should strictly abide by the rules. respiratory hygiene. To do this, cover your mouth or nose. with an elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Used The tissue should be discarded immediately.
  Why is this needed? The virus is transmitted through small drops. Strictly observing the rules of respiratory hygiene, you can protect others from viral diseases such as SARS, flu and COVID-19.

• If you feel unwell, stay home. With increase fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing as much as possible seek medical help faster. Follow directions local health authorities
  Why is this necessary? At central and local authorities health information is available on the situation your area of ​​residence. Timely seeking medical attention help will allow medical professionals to quickly guide you to a suitable medical institution. In addition, you thereby protect yourself and help prevent the spread of viral and other infections.

• Stay tuned for COVID-19 High Risk Zone List (cities or areas in which widespread COVID-19). Avoid traveling whenever possible, especially if you are an elderly person or suffer from diabetes, diseases heart or lung
  Why do you need it? In these areas you expose yourself increased risk of infection with COVID-19.

Personal protective measures for recently 14 days) visited the distribution regions of COVID-19

• Follow the guidelines above.

• If you feel unwell, stay home until recovery even if you have mild symptoms diseases such as headache, low-grade fever (37.3C or higher) or a slight runny nose. If you ask someone bring you groceries and go to the store for you, use mask, so as not to infect a person coming to you.
  Why is this needed? Refraining from contact with surrounding and without visiting medical institutions, you help them institutions work more efficiently and protect themselves and others from possible infection with COVID-19 or other viral infections.

• If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, do not postpone seeking medical help, as these symptoms may be caused by a respiratory infection or other serious illness. Get medical attention immediately institution and inform the medical specialist about all the latest travel or contact with traveling people.
  Why is this needed? Timely appeal for medical assistance will allow medical professionals to promptly refer you to a suitable medical institution. Also it will help prevent the probable spread of COVID-19 and others viral infections.

How much should I be wary of getting COVID-19?

The level of risk is determined by the place of your stay, or rather the presence or absence of an outbreak in the area.

For most people in most regions, the risk of infection COVID-19 is still small. Nevertheless in some parts of the world (cities or areas) the disease continues to spread. Risk contamination is higher for those living in or visiting such areas them. Governments and health authorities take vigorous responses to every new case COVID-19 infections. If locally introduced restrictions on travel, movement or public events observe this mode. Supporting control measures spread of the disease, you can reduce the risk of infection or distribution of COVID-19.

As the example of China and several other countries in our to limit the spread of outbreaks and stop transmission of infection. Unfortunately, flashes can occur quickly in new outbreaks. It is important to stay informed about the situation in your area. or the region you plan to visit. WHO daily publishes updated reports on the current epidemiological COVID-19 setting worldwide.

Is COVID-19 a concern?

Typically, a coronavirus infection of COVID-19 occurs in the lung form, especially in children and young people. Nevertheless there is a severe form of infection: in about one in five cases patients need hospitalization. Therefore concern people for yourself and loved ones in connection with the outbreak of COVID-19 is justified.

We can direct our efforts in a constructive direction and accept measures to protect our own health, the health of our loved ones and people in our community. The most important and primary measure is regular and thorough hand washing, and compliance with the rules respiratory hygiene. Secondly, it is necessary to monitor the development events and adhere to local government recommendations health care, including abiding by their restrictions for travel, travel or public events.

Who is at risk of severe illness?

Our COVID-19 information is not yet complete, but apparently severe the course of the disease is more often observed in the elderly, as well as in people with existing somatic diseases (e.g. arterial hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes)

Are antibiotics an effective preventative and for treating COVID-19 infection

No. Antibiotics do not act on viruses, they are only active in against bacterial infections. COVID-19 disease has viral nature, therefore antibiotics are ineffective. It does not follow use antibiotics to prevent or treat COVID-19. Their use is allowed only as directed by a doctor for treatment bacterial infection

Are there currently drugs or therapy to prevent or treat COVID-19?

A number of Western medicine, as well as traditional folk or home remedies can help you feel better and relieve the symptoms of COVID-19, however, in there is currently no evidence that could testify that the action of any of the available drugs can prevent or treat this disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any kind of had medications, including antibiotics, to prevention or treatment of COVID-19 infection. At the same time, clinical trials of a number of agents, both western and traditional traditional medicine. WHO will continue to publish updated information as clinical data becomes available.

This is the same virus that causes SARS. (TORSO)?

No. The virus causing COVID-19 belongs to the same family viruses as the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (TARS-CoV), but it is a different virus. TORS-KoV is more dangerous, but less contagious compared with the pathogen COVID-19. Since 2003 outbreaks torso not registered anywhere in the world.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

You should wear a mask only if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (especially a cough) or if you are caring for a person who may be sick with COVID-19. Disposable masks cannot be reused. If you do not have symptoms or you do not care for a sick person, use masks will be irrational. Currently celebrated in the world a shortage of masks, so WHO calls on everyone to be lean use.

WHO stands for the rational use of medical masks, avoiding the use of valuable resources, as well as improper use of masks (see Recommended Use masks).

Among the most effective measures to protect their own health and the health of others from COVID-19 includes frequent hand washing, covering the nose and mouth with a bend of the elbow or a napkin when coughing, and also maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter with people who cough or sneeze. For more information, see basic safety precautions against new coronavirus infection.

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

1. The mask should only be used by medical professionals, caregivers and those with respiratory symptoms diseases such as fever and cough.
2. Before you pick up the mask in your hands, treat them alcohol-based or wash with soap.
3. Inspect the mask to make sure there are no gaps and damage.
4. The mask has a metal insert, take the mask with an insert up.
5. Place the mask on the outside of you (brightly colored side).
6. Put the mask on your face. Bend the metal insert or fixing clip in the shape of a nose.
7. Pull the bottom edge of the mask so that it covers your mouth and chin.
8. Remove the mask after application; hold the mask by elastic earhooks and do not touch your face or clothing, as used mask may be contaminated with microorganisms
9. Throw the mask into a closable immediately after use. container.
10. After touching the mask or throwing it out should perform hand hygiene: use alcohol-containing product, and with obvious hand contamination, wash them with soap.

How long does the incubation period of COVID-19 last?

The incubation period is the period of time between infection and the appearance of clinical symptoms of the disease. According to most estimates, the incubation period of COVID-19 ranges from 1 to 14 days and most often is about five days. These estimates will be updated as new ones become available. data.

Can a person get COVID-19 from an animal?

Coronaviruses make up a vast family of viruses and are widely common in animals. Infection of people with these viruses with subsequent transmission to other people occurs from time to time. For example, the fact of infection of people with TORS-CoV from civet was established, and BVRS-KoV from one-humped camels. Possible source of COVID-19 among animals not yet installed

As a personal protective measure, e.g. when visiting livestock markets should be avoided direct contact with animals, as well as touching surfaces in contact with animals. Should be strictly comply with food safety regulations. At work with raw meat, milk, animal organs should be shown caution to avoid cross-contamination of others products that have not undergone heat treatment, and, in addition, should refrain from eating raw or semi-raw animal products.

Can I get COVID-19 from a pet?

One case of dog infection in Hong Kong is known, however less so far evidence of COVID-19 infection from dogs, cats or other pets are missing. COVID-19predominantly distributed through suspended in air particles that form when a sick person coughs, sneezing or talking. To protect yourself, you often need to and wash your hands thoroughly

WHO continues to closely monitor the results of new studies on both this and other aspects COVID-19, and will publish updated results as they become available. appearances.

How long does the virus survive on surfaces?

COVID-19 virus survival time on surfaces so far not exactly established, however, it is assumed that for this parameter it is similar to other members of the coronavirus family. By research data (including preliminary on the pathogen COVID-19), the virus remains viable on surfaces from several hours to several days. Specific dates depend on a number of conditions (e.g. surface type, temperature and humidity environment).

If you suspect that on some surface you may a virus is present to kill microorganisms and protect oneself and others, treat it with a normal disinfectant. Not forget to wash your hands with alcohol or wash them with soap. Do not touch the eyes, mouth, or nose.

Is it safe to receive packages from an area in which reported cases of COVID-19?

Yes. The likelihood that the infection can be transmitted from a sick person through ordered goods is low, as is the risk of infection with the viral pathogen COVID-19 from packaging that has been moved, transported and affected various weather and temperature conditions

What should I not do?

The following measures DO NOT HELP fight COVID-19 and may cause harm:

• smoking;
• simultaneous wearing of several masks;
• antibiotics (see Are there currently medicinal drugs or therapy to prevent or treat COVID-19?)

If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing then to reduce the risk of infection complications you need to seek medical help as soon as possible and inform your healthcare provider about recent visits places.