HOW DOES THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD and WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Gina Giordan
UPDATED FACTS on the CORONAVIRUS. THE SYMPTOMS and how the virus SPREADS…
Passengers wearing face masks travel on a subway train in Shanghai on March 5, 2020.(AFP photo)
1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold.
2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.
3. This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun.
4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours - so if you come into contact with any metal surface - wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.
6. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. Normal laundry detergent will kill the virus.
7. Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice.
8. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.
9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice.
10. Can't emphasize enough - Drink plenty of water!
THE SYMPTOMS
1. It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days
2. The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further.
3. With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.
4. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you then seek immediate attention.
As Coronavirus Spreads, Here’s What You Can Do
As coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreads globally, public health experts suggest these 5 vital steps to take now for prevention:
Wash your hands
Experts agree that washing your hands frequently is one of the most important acts in preventing virus spread. During an outbreak, proper hand-washing is your best defense against a virus. So, follow the evidence-based advice to wash for 20 seconds or more using soap and water. In addition, you may want to forego hugging and hand-shakes, and embrace "low-touch" salutations such as the elbow bump.
Self-quarantine if you feel sick
Stay home if you aren’t feeling well, and encourage your friends and coworkers to do the same. Keep your distance from other people. As for what constitutes far enough, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends maintaining at least “three feet of distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.”
Should you start to feel ill, stay out of public areas to avoid spreading the sickness. But if you develop more than mild symptoms, particularly if you have any trouble breathing, then seek immediate care.
Refrain from touching your face
Don't touch your face, eyes, nose, and mouth since you can transmit a virus in a single touch. While coming into contact with a contaminated surface won’t immediately confirm the spread, infection occurs when you touch your eyes, your mouth, or the inside of the nose. Another solution is to wipe down your surroundings with disinfectant wipes before coming into contact with them.
Carry hand sanitizer
Although washing with soap and water is king, coating hands with hand sanitizer is a handy on-the-go method. The CDC recommends an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (for example, Purell has 70%).
Stock up on essentials
Beyond hand soap, make sure you have at least a little food in your house in case you decide to stay at home for a few days. When you’re doing bulk buying, remember that surgical masks do not need to be top of the list. The standard paper surgical masks on the news have virtually no protective value for healthy people. Masks are most important for health care workers taking care of sick people.
Source: Vogue March 4, 2020 article by Jenna Rennert
As the news changes every day check out the CDC's website below for the latest updates.
– U.S. Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
PLEASE SHARE THE FACTS AND NOT THE FEAR…