Dr Tasaduk Hussain Itoo
With recent outbreaks reported all over the news, you may be worried about contracting coronavirus. Coronavirus is a potentially life-threatening family of viruses that cause conditions like the common cold, MERS, SARS, and other respiratory conditions, including new strains of the virus.
As of January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several other health organizations around the world are currently monitoring an outbreak of a new coronavirus in Wuhan City, China.
Certain strains of coronavirus are limited to a particular area of the world, so there is no need to worry if your area has no confirmed cases of a serious strain of coronavirus. As of January 2020, only people who reside in or have travelled to China are likely to encounter the new strain of coronavirus that’s being reported in the news, though there are reported cases in Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. There has also been a confirmed case in the United States in Washington state from a traveller who came back from China. So, If you have a high fever, cough, or shortness of breath after you or someone you’ve come into contact with has travelled to Wuhan City, China or been around others with 2019-CoV, it is highly advised to seek medical testing immediately.
People with weakened immune systems or pre-existing medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, are especially vulnerable to potentially deadly coronavirus infections. Babies and elderly people are also at risk of developing complications, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. If you or someone you care for are at risk, take special care to avoid exposure to infected people or animals. While coronavirus can be serious, taking preventative measures can help you protect your health in public, at home, and while caring for a sick person.
Wash your hands with soap and water to minimize your infection risk. The best way to prevent coronavirus is to wash your hands as often as possible. Wet your hands with warm water, then apply a mild soap. Work the soap into a lather for 20-30 seconds, then rinse your hands clean under warm running water. And always wash your hands before you eat or drink anything. However, it’s also best to wash your hands anytime you’re out in public or after you’re around someone you suspect may be sick.
Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. You may come into contact with the coronavirus on a surface, like a doorknob or countertop. When this happens, the germs can linger on your hands, so you can easily infect yourself if you touch your face with dirty hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth in case the virus is on your skin. If you need to touch your face, wash your hands first so you’re less likely to infect yourself.
Stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing. Since coronavirus is a respiratory infection, coughing and sneezing are common symptoms. Additionally, coughing and sneezing both release the virus into the air, so they may increase your risk of infection. Keep your distance from people who appear to have symptoms of an upper respiratory infection.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily using a product that kills viruses. Unfortunately, coronavirus can linger on surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops, and faucets. Use a spray disinfectant or bleach wipes to clean these surfaces daily. Make sure the surface stays wet for about 10 minutes so it effectively kills the virus. This limits the risk of the virus lingering on the surfaces and potentially causing an infection.
Wear a disposable face mask while in public. Since coronavirus spreads through the air, it’s possible to breathe it in. Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable face mask to limit your risk of contracting the virus. Don’t reuse your masks because that can increase your risk of contracting coronavirus. Always wash your hands after you remove your mask in case you encountered coronavirus. If you take off your mask and then immediately touch your face, you could become ill if the germs are present. If you’re at high risk for respiratory infections or have lung disorders like asthma or COPD, and you’re traveling internationally, wear a disposable mask on the plane to help prevent the spread of infection.
Cook meat and eggs thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection. Coronaviruses can transmit from animals to humans, so it’s important to cook animal products thoroughly to kill any germs. Follow the instructions for the type of meat or eggs you’re cooking, and check the internal temperature of your food using a food thermometer before you eat. Heat your foods to the following temperatures:
*Chicken and turkey should be 165 °F (74 °C).
*Cook beef to 145 °F (63 °C).
*Heat ground meat to 160 °F (71 °C)
*Eggs need to reach 160 °F (71 °C).
Limit your contact with live animals to lower the risk of transmission. Don’t risk handling an animal that might be ill. Avoid handling live animals unless you work with animals or are caring for pets. If you must handle an animal other than your pet, touch it as little as possible. Remember! Farm animals and bats are the most likely sources of infection.
Wash your hands immediately after handling live animals if you must. You don’t want germs from the animals to linger on your skin. Wet your hands and apply a mild soap. Lather the soap on your hands for 30 seconds, then rinse it off with warm water. Dry your hands on a clean, dry towel.
Wear disposable protective gear while providing care to a sick person. Put on disposable gloves, a face mask, and a paper gown before you care for the sick person. When you leave their room, take off your protective gear and throw it in a plastic trash bag. Don’t reuse your protective clothing because you may accidentally come into contact with the virus. Coronavirus spreads through the air and can linger on your clothing, so protect yourself as best you can.
Pay attention to travel advisories if you plan to visit other countries. If you’re planning to travel abroad, visit your country’s travel website to find out if any dangerous strains of the coronavirus are active in the area you plan to visit. You can also check the website of the CDC or the World Health organization for information. These websites can offer advice about how to protect yourself while you travel.
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