What is corona virus
Corona viruses are a large family of viruses
which may cause illness in animals or
humans. In humans, several coronaviruses
are known to cause respiratory
infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.
What is COVID-19
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by
the most recently discovered corona virus. This new virus and disease were
unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are
fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal
congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually
mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any
symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most
people (about 80%) recover from
the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people
who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood
pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical
attention.
How does COVID-19 spread
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through
the air?
Studies to date suggest that the virus that
causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets
rather than through the air. See previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?”
Can CoVID-19 be caught from a person who has no symptoms?
The main way the disease spreads is through
respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching
COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people
with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the
early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from
someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.
Can I catch COVID-19 from the feces of someone with the disease?
The risk of catching COVID-19 from the feces
of an infected person appears to be low. While initial investigations suggest
the virus may be present in feces
in some cases, spread through this route
is not a
main feature of the outbreak. The ongoing
research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new
findings. Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands
regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.
What can I doto protect myself and prevent the spread of disease
Protection measures for everyone
Stay aware of the latest information on the
COVID-19 outbreak, available on the national,state and local public health
authority. Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and
several have seen outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have
succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is
unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.
You can reduce your chances of being infected
or spreading COVID- 19 by taking some simple precautions:
·
Regularly and thoroughly clean your
hands with an alcohol- based hand rub
or wash them
with soap and
water. Why? Washing your hands
with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be
on your hands.
·
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet)
distance between yourself and anyone
who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or
sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may
contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including
the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
·
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can
transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter
your body and can make you sick.
·
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good
respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then
dispose
of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread
virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you
from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
·
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have
a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in
advance. Follow the directions
of your local
health authority. Why? National and local authorities will
have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in
advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right
health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses
and other infections.
·
Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19
hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If
possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older
person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease. Why? You have a higher chance
of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.
Protection measures for persons who
are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading
o Follow
the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)
o Self-isolate
by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as
headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose, until you
recover. If it is essential for you to have someone bring you supplies or to go
out, e.g. to buy food, then wear a mask to avoid infecting other people.
Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits
to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively
and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
o If
you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to
a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell
your provider of any
recent travel or
contact with travelers.
Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly
direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent
possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
How likely am I to catch COVID-19?
The risk depends on where you are - and more
specifically, whether there is a COVID-19 outbreak unfolding there.
For most people in most locations the risk of
catching COVID-19 is still low. However,
there are now places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is
spreading. For people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching
COVID-19 is higher. Governments and
health authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new case of COVID-19
is identified. Be sure to comply with any local restrictions on travel,
movement or large gatherings. Cooperating with disease control efforts will
reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.
COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained and
transmission stopped, as has been shown in China and some other countries.
Unfortunately, new outbreaks can emerge rapidly. It’s important to be aware of
the situation where you are or intend to go.
Should I worry about COVID-19?
Illness due to COVID-19 infection is
generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause
serious illness: about 1 in every 5
people who catch it need hospital care. It is therefore quite normal for people
to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.
We can channel our concerns into actions to
protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. First and foremost among
these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and good respiratory
hygiene. Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the local health authorities
including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings.
Who is at risk of developing severe
illness
While we are still learning about how
COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical
conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or
diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others.
Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating the
COVID-19?
No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses,
they only work on bacterial infections.
COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should
not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. They should only
be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.
Are there any medicines or therapies that can prevent orcure COVID-19
While some western, traditional or home
remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no
evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease. We does not
recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a
prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical
trials that include both western and traditional medicines. We will continue to provide updated
information as soon as clinical findings
are available.
Is
there a vaccine drug or treatment for COVID-19
Not yet. To date, there is no vaccine and no
specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019. However, those
affected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illness
should be hospitalized. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
Possible vaccines and some specific drug
treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical
trials.
The most effective ways to protect yourself
and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your
cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least
1 meter (3 feet) from people who are
coughing or sneezing
Is
COVID-19 the same as SARS?
No. The virus that causes COVID-19 and the
one that caused the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in
2003 are related to each other genetically, but the diseases they cause
are quite different.
SARS was more deadly but much less infectious
than COVID-19. There have been no outbreaks of SARS anywhere in the world since
2003.
Should I wear mask to protect myself
Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19
symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19.
Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after
someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage
of masks, so We urge people to use masks wisely.
We advises rational use of medical masks to
avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources and mis-use of masks The most
effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to
frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue
and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are
coughing or sneezing.
How to put on use take off and
dispose of a mask?
1.
Remember, a mask should only be used
by health workers, care takers, and individuals with respiratory symptoms, such
as fever and cough.
2.
Before touching the mask, clean hands with an
alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
3.
Take the mask and inspect it for tears or holes.
4.
Orient which side is the top side (where the metal strip is).
5.
Ensure the proper side of the mask faces
outwards (the coloured side).
6. Place the mask
to your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to
the shape of your nose.
7.
Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers
your mouth and your chin.
8.
After use, take off the mask; remove the
elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching
potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.
9.
Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.
10.
Perform hand hygiene after touching or
discarding the mask – Use alcohol-based hand rub or, if visibly soiled, wash
your hands with soap and water.
How long is the incubation period
for COVID-19?
The “incubation period” means the time
between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. Most
estimates of the incubation period for
COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. These estimates
will be updated as more data become available.
Can humans become infected with the
COVID-19 from an animal source?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are
common in animals. Occasionally, people get infected with these viruses which
may then spread to other people. For example,
SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels. Possible animal sources of
COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.
To protect yourself, such as when visiting
live animal markets, avoid direct contact with animals and surfaces in contact
with animals. Ensure good food safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat,
milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and
avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products.
Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?
While there has been one instance of a dog
being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or
any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced
when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean
your hands frequently and thoroughly.
We continues to monitor the latest research
on this and other COVID- 19 topics and will update as new findings are
available.
How longdoes the virus survive on surfaces?
It is not certain how long the virus that
causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other corona
viruses. Studies suggest that corona viruses (including preliminary information
on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several
days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface,
temperature or humidity of the environment).
If you think a surface may be infected, clean
it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others.
Clean your hands with
an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and
water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Is it safe to
receive a package from any area where COVID-19 has been reported?
Yes. The likelihood of an infected person
contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that
causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to
different conditions and temperature is also low.
Is there anything I should not do?
The following measures ARE NOT effective
against COVID-2019 and can be harmful:
·
Smoking
·
Wearing multiple masks
·
Taking antibiotics
In any case, if you
have fever, cough and difficulty breathing
seek medical care early to reduce the risk of
developing a more severe infection and be sure to share your recent travel
history with your health care provider.
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