Dr Vanita Mahajan
In recent weeks, a new Coronavirus disease called Covid-19, has spread, that can affect your lungs and airways. It was first detected in China. The bulk of cases and fatalities have been confirmed to China but the virus is spreading internationally.
Now several U.S states have confirmed cases.
According to the (Centre for Disease Control) CDC, patients with confirmed COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: cough, fever, shortness of breath. Some patients have had other symptoms, including muscle-aches, headache, sore throat or diarrhoea. Based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of other corona viruses, CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear two to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses that are circulating, such as influenza, so experiencing these symptoms alone, does not necessarily mean you need to be tested for COVID-19. Additional criteria will help your health care provider decide if you should be tested such as, if you have history of recent travel, (within past 14 days) from as affected geographic area. Affected geographic areas can be found out at CDC- Corona virus disease 2019. If you had close contact with any person who is a lab-confirmed patient within the past 14 days of symptom onset. If you are hospitalized with something like acute respiratory illness or pneumonia without other explanation (e.g;influenza).
Most people who contracted the virus will have mild symptoms and can recover on their own at home. But people over age 50 and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease (high blood pressure) lung disease or weekend immune systems seem to be more at risk for serious infections that could lead to pneumonia and difficult breathing and likely to become severely ill, Dr. Esper says. The data from China also suggests that men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women. Treatment relies on keeping the patient’s body going, including breathing support, until their immune system can fight off the virus. Work to develop a vaccine is under way. The only way to confirm that someone has COVID-19 is through a swab test. Efforts are under way to make testing more widely available. Most people who develop COVID-19 only experience mild symptoms. These symptoms may buildup slowly and should go away after a few days. It is important for anyone who may have COVID-19 to contact their healthcare provider. For those with mild symptoms call a doctor over the phone for medical advice. It is essential to contact the emergency services if any of the following symptoms occur: *difficult breathing,*lasting chest pain or pressure,*confusion, *a bluish tint to the lips or face, *drowsiness and inability to wake.
The WHO and other organizations have issued the following general recommendations:
*Avoid close contact with subjects suffering from acute respiratory infections.
*Wash your hands frequently, especially after a contact with infected people or their environment.
*Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
*People with symptoms of acute airway infection should keep their distance, cover coughs or sneezes with disposable tissues or clothes and wash their hands.
*Strengthen, in particular, in emergency medicine departments, the application of strict hygiene measures for the prevention and control of infections.
*Individuals that are immune compromised should avoid public gatherings.
The most important strategy for the populous to undertake is to frequently wash their hands and use portable hand sanitizer and avoid contact with their face and mouth after interfacing with a possibly contaminated environment. Staying home from school for work if you are not feeling well, whether you think you have something extremely contagious or not. Wear a mask if you are sick. Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs and handles. Critics say that shortage of test and facilities has contributed to the community spread of the virus and some have raised doubts that health officials can meet the demand for more tests. Patients with mild symptoms-such as a new continuous cough or a high temperature above 37.8 C should self isolate at home for at least seven days, according to the latest advice issued by Public Health England. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the incubation period lasts up to 14 days. If you self quarantine or self isolate for 14-days, that means not going to work, school or other public places and avoiding any public transit, including ride shares and taxis. Researchers said that average time from exposure to onset of symptoms suggests that the CDC’s 14 day quarantine period for people who were likely exposed to the virus is reasonable. It’s high time we prepare ourselves and act now as we all are vulnerable.
*Wearing a mask alone will not prevent you from getting a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Careful hand washing and social (physical) distancing must also be followed.
*Wash your hands before you put on your mask.
*If you are wearing a mask, avoid touching the front of it. You can transfer the virus from your hands to the mask.
* You can also transfer the virus from the masks to your hands. Wash your hands if you touch the front of the mask.
*Know how to put on and remove a mask by touching the elastic ear straps only.
*Do not wear a mask if you are healthy and in self quarantine.
*Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. This may help prevent spreading the virus to others.
* If you think you may have the SARS CoV-2 infection, wear a mask. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have any symptoms.
*Wear a mask if you are caring for someone who may have the SARS CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease. It may help prevent you from catching the infection.
*Don’t write your name or initials on your mask as that will inactivate it.
*Do not reuse a worn mask. It may have the virus on it.
*Throw away used masks in a closed bin.
Taking these preventive strategies seriously is extremely important to stop the spread of the virus. Practicing good hygiene, following these guidelines and encouraging your friends and family to do the same will go a long way in preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. As all the citizens too have a responsibility to adhere to the health restrictions.
21-day lockdown in the entire country to deal with the spread of corona virus is a great step forward initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Goivernment to recommend residents avoid or postpone mass gatherings until the virus is contained.
(The author is Lecturer in Economics GGHSS, Shastri Nagar)
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