Facts you should know about COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) prevention tips
- COVID-19 is a new disease that can cause immune problems usually in individuals with medical problems. In the elderly, COVID-19 can cause a potentially fatal viral pneumonia that requires hospitalization. COVID-19 is the cause of the current pandemic.
- COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person by respiratory droplets infected with SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 can also spread by infected droplets that land on surfaces.
- Prevention and decreasing the risk of COVID-19 infection can occur when people follow the CDC recommendations, especially handwashing, social distancing, and decontamination.
- If you are COVID-19 positive, you can use face masks, isolation, quarantine, gloves for caregivers, and disinfection of surfaces to reduce the risk of infecting other people.
What is COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus)?
COVID-19 is a new disease first discovered in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019, that likely came from infected animals and spread to humans. SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The virus can cause severe respiratory problems mainly in people with medical problems, weakened immunity, and the elderly (age 60 and older). As of Mar. 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-9 the cause of a worldwide pandemic. Some infections result in fatal viral pneumonia. The current mortality rate (death rate) is about 4.76%, depending on the data available.
How does COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) spread?
COVID-19 spreads by an infected person coughing and/or sneezing, thus producing infected respiratory droplets. This is person-to-person spread, most often by inhalation. It also spreads by touching surfaces where infected droplets land followed by touching your eyes, nose, and/or face and mouth. There is no airborne spread like the measles virus. Unfortunately, some people can be infected and have little or no symptoms yet still be able to spread COVID-19 to others.
What can people do to prevent a COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) infection?
The best way to prevent or decrease your risk of COVID-19 infection is to avoid contacting infected people and the places they have visited. Infected people can help minimize the chance of infecting other people by strict quarantine procedures that keep the infection isolated from others. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent infection. Also, there is no antiviral drug available to prevent or treat infection. Some individuals suggest that taking zinc and/or vitamin C tablets help, but such data for preventing COVID-19 is lacking.
The CDC has specific recommendations for COVID-19 prevention that it constantly updates. The following is modified from the CDC (as of March 11, 2020). Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:
- Avoid close contact with sick people; distance yourself 6 feet or more from other people (also termed social distancing).
- Stay home when sick, except to get medical care.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Cough and sneeze into your elbow if you can't cover with a tissue.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (for example, tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them first by using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. Depending on the surface type and environmental conditions, COVID-19 virus survives on surfaces for many hours. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved (EPA-registered household disinfectants) emerging viral pathogens claims is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products.
Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, prior to eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Immediately throw away used tissues. If soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitizer that has approximately 60% alcohol.
Make plans about how you will address the issues of child care, school closings, working from home, travel, and other daily life demands so you will be able to cope with these significant disruptions in your lifestyle.
QUESTION
What is COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus)? See AnswerHow can people protect others if they are infected with COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus)?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you should immediately put on a face mask, keep 6 feet or more space between you and other people, put yourself in isolation, and contact your local health department and your doctor. If you isolate at home, interact with only one caregiver to reduce risk to others. Wear a face mask to reduce droplet spread and have gloves available, if possible, for that one person with whom you interact. In addition, if you are able, follow the CDC recommendations listed above.
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Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal; rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease-producing organisms.
Can You Fully Recover From Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) may last between 14 and 30 days and you may slowly recuperate from it. Usually, recovery takes 6 to 12 months, but for some people it could take up to 3 years. GBS is rare and affects fewer than 4,000 people in the United States each year.
Chronic Cough
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease.Chronic cough treatment is based on the cause, but may be soothed natural and home remedies.
What Are the Different Types of Mechanical Ventilation?
Mechanical ventilation is a treatment to help a person breathe when they find it difficult or are unable to breathe on their own. A mechanical ventilator pushes airflow into the patient’s lungs. Mechanical ventilation is part of the arsenal of supportive care clinicians use for COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients with the most severe lung symptoms.
What Is Endotracheal Intubation?
Doctors perform endotracheal intubation when a patient cannot breathe on their own, whether it is due to surgery, disease, or an emergency. Endotracheal intubation is the safest way of providing breathing support to COVID-19 coronavirus disease patients who have severe lung symptoms.
How Do the COVID-19 Coronavirus Tests Work?
Tests used for detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) may use two methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19 disease, a debilitating and potentially deadly viral pneumonia. Genomic or molecular detection confirms the presence of viral DNA. The immunoglobulin or serology tests can tell whether or not you have been exposed to coronavirus, but not whether you are currently infected. Both tests administered in tandem can give you your complete COVID-19 infection status.
How Long Is a COVID-19 Patient Contagious?
People infected with COVID-19 can still be contagious even when they stop feeling sick, so precautionary measures should continue for at least 2 weeks after symptoms disappear and until the COVID-19 test result is negative. Ideally, patients should be quarantined at home or an institution for 2 weeks after the symptoms completely disappear.
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What Is CPAP Therapy?
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Who Needs Mechanical Ventilation?
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