5 Must Know Facts: What is Coronavirus?
Everyone is afraid about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It came out of nowhere and has spread all over the world. We don’t know the complete picture yet however there are some facts that are important to understand.
1. What is Coronavirus and COVID-19?
Coronavirus is a group of viruses that include mild diseases such as common cold as well as severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and SARs. COVID-19 is the name of the coronavirus outbreak that started in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. It has spread all over the world including Hong Kong, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Iran, the GCC, Thailand, Singapore, India, the USA and many more.
2. What are the known symptoms of Coronavirus?
Like most infection and respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 has symptoms such as:
- Cold
- Coughs or sneezes
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Pneumonia
- Breathing difficulties
3. How can I protect myself and my family from Coronavirus / COVID-19?
Safety is the best form of precaution. With COVID-19 its no different. Washing hands, keeping away from crowded areas and eating cooked food (especially meats and eggs) are some easy ways to protect yourself. Avoid touching different objects and refrain from touching your face. If you are feeling sick wear and mask and go see a doctor. Avoid contact with anyone who has been around anyone suffering from COVID-19 or showing symptoms. Also ask people around you to keep a check on the symptoms and consult a physician.
Washing hands properly with soap and water is very important. This video demonstrates how to do it:
4. Is Coronavirus fatal?
Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing aggressive treatment. The incubation period is 1-14 days Around 16% people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. There have been several deaths around the world due to COVID-19. However there has been a correlation between deaths and people who have other medical conditions.
5. Should I wear a mask?
It is still unclear whether wearing a masks healths prevent getting COVID-19. However if you do have any symptoms please wear a mask and ask anyone around you to wear a mask so you do not transmit diseases. Keeping a healthy distance from anyone who shows symptom is a smart way to avoid spreading from person to person.
It is important to understand, wearing multiple masks does not help.
Refernces:
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
