The Complete Guide to Understanding the Chinese Corona Virus (2019-nCoV) and Staying Safe.
What is it?
- These are viruses that cause diseases in other animals and birds and essentially cross over into Human Beings. The SARS crisis and the Middle Eastern Virus(MERS) are examples.
- MERS came from camels, SARS from cats and it is thought that this virus came from Snakes but we are not sure.
- This one is known as 2019-nCoV.
What does the 2019-nCoV Virus do?
- It causes respiratory symptoms: fever, cough and shortness of breath.
- symptoms appear in 2 days to 14 days after exposure
- in some cases this can be serious, and specially in the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions.
- dozens of people have already died, most have been elderly.
How is it transmitted?
- The virus is transmitted from animals to humans
- Now people to people transmission is also happening, it is currently not clear, how fast it spreads from people to people
- but droplets of respiratory fluid are thought to enable people to people transmission of the virus
What can you do if you have been infected?
- if you think you have been infected it is important to seek medical treatment immediately
- wear face masks, and be careful who you come into contact with so you don’t infect others.
What precautions can we take?
- wear face masks (specially in public and around those who are coughing/sneezing
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- stay home when you are sick.
- cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
What is the cure?
- there is no cure, and no vaccine, treatment is to relieve symptoms
- generally our body will fight the virus on its own, but it is not easy
- a vaccine may take up to a year to be developed
- precaution and not getting infected is your best bet
Should I panic?
- panic won’t solve anything
- taking precautions is the most important thing
- in Pakistan we don’t have any laboratory which can detect the presence of the virus and it is more difficult, the government is setting up treatment centers, but avoid crowded places
- we have had these outbreaks before and precaution and good hygiene is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself
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