Infection With Coronavirus(COVID-19): How It Manifests And How It Can Be Prevented
/Infection With Coronavirus(COVID-19): How It Manifests And How It Can Be Prevented
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause infections in humans and a variety of animals. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted between animals and humans. However, pets are not considered sources of disease at the moment.
To date, there is evidence that seven coronaviruses have infected and caused human disease. As animal coronaviruses evolve, they can infect humans and can be transmitted from human-to-human, leading to outbreaks such as those caused by MERS-CoV and SARS.
The new coronavirus COVID-19 represents a coronavirus strain that has not been previously identified to humans and, therefore, is a cause for concern for public health, especially since there is little knowledge about the characteristics of the virus, how it is transmitted between people and about the severity and treatment of the resulting infections.
How serious are the infections caused by the new coronavirus COVID-19?
The new coronavirus detected in China is closely related to the 2003 SARS virus and appears to have similar characteristics. According to ECDC experts, the infection can cause mild flu-like symptoms, but also severe illness, such as pneumonia. People with existing chronic conditions seem to be more vulnerable to complications. Pre-existing conditions reported so far include high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, liver disease, and other respiratory diseases.
ECDC experts announce that pneumonia produced by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory disease whose clinical spectrum is not yet fully known. International Health Institutions, as well as ECDC experts, say that, until now, patients with this type of pneumonia have the following symptoms:
Fever (minimum of 38 degrees Celsius)
Cough
Difficulty breathing - in more severe cases
Regarding the incubation period of the disease, that is, the time from the moment of infection to the first signs and symptoms of the disease, it did not exceed 14 days.
Pneumonia produced by the new coronavirus was initially detected in the Wuhan City of Hubei Province and then spread to 3 other provinces in China: Guangdong Sheng, Beijing Shi, and Shanghai Shi.
The number of confirmed cases of infection with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) identified in Wuhan City of China is increasing, according to data published by experts from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). At the European level, there are still multiple confirmed cases in France of people who have recently traveled to China, but not only, A big focal of positively tested patients were is found in the northern part of Italy. Most cases reported outside China have been identified in people who have gone to China, except for one case being detected in Vietnam. This is the first and only case transmitted from man to man outside China, according to ECDC.
The human-to-human transmission has already been confirmed, but more information on the mode of transmission is needed. The source of the infection is still unknown and could even be active. So far, ECDC does not have enough epidemiological information to determine the extent of this transmission from human to human. As the number of cases and the number of deaths in China is increasing, and ECDC experts expect further global expansion, European states and beyond are advised to establish and apply, if necessary, in a timely and rigorous manner. Prevention and control of possible infections.
For now, ECDC experts believe there is a moderate likelihood of infection with the new coronavirus for Europeans visiting China.
Healthy habits limit the spread of infections!
The standard recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce exposure and respiratory disease transmission include hand hygiene and respiratory and practice safe food:
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
If you do not have soap or water, use an alcohol-based solution. It is advisable to wash your hands:
After you cough or sneeze
When you care for a sick person
Before, during and after food preparation
Before eating
Before and after using the toilet
After you touch or handle an animal
After you take the garbage
2. Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable napkin when coughing and sneezing.
Discard the towel after each use and wash your hands. If you do not have a towel, cough, or squeeze in the bend of the elbow.
3. Avoid as close as possible contact with people who have a fever and whooping cough.
Go to the doctor if you have a fever, cough, and have difficulty breathing.
As, most likely, the primary source of infection is of animal origin, the following preventive measures are also recommended:
Cook the meat and eggs well before eating. The consumption of raw products of animal origin should be avoided. Raw meat, milk, or organs of animal origin should be handled with care to prevent cross-contamination with negated foods by following good food safety practices.
If you visit markets in areas where there are confirmed cases of coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching an animal or animal products. Do not put your hand on your eyes, nose or mouth after contact with an animal
Travel recommendations by experts
A series of recommendations to people who intend to travel to one of the four provinces in China where cases of infections with the new coronavirus are confirmed:
Avoid visiting the "wet markets" or places where living or dead animals are handled
Avoid contact with sick people, especially people with respiratory symptoms
Respect good hand and food hygiene
If you have recently returned from China and have the following symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness of breath, wear a protective mask and call 112 to be taken to an infectious disease hospital as soon as possible. Mention the travel history of the contagious physician.
Also, as a result of the intense epidemic influenza activity in China, people who want to travel to China are recommended to get the flu vaccine at least two weeks before they leave. In this way, they will be able to prevent severe respiratory illness.
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