Coronavirus infection "COVID-19" - how to prevent, symptoms, treatment

The situation with Coronavirus has greatly influenced lifestyle, the economy and how we interact with the environment. The most dangerous pandemic of the 21st century has already claimed many lives, and is actively rampant around the world. In this article, we would like to collect and share with you key information that could help you protect yourself from COVID-19 infection, as well as in case of infection, quickly respond and get the necessary medical care anywhere in the world.

Symptoms of COVID 19?

The main symptoms are:

• Increase in body temperature (in> 90% of cases)

• Cough (dry or with a small amount of sputum) in 80% of cases

• Shortness of breath (in 55% of cases)

• A feeling of tightness in the chest (in> 20% of cases)


Rare symptoms (at the onset of the disease can occur without fever)

• Headaches (8%)

• Hemoptysis (5%)

• Diarrhea (3%)

• Nausea, vomiting

• Heartbeat

In most cases (about 80%), the disease ends in recovery, while no specific therapeutic measures are required, the immune system independently cope with the disease. In about one in six cases of COVID-19, complications arise with the development of respiratory failure.

The likelihood of a severe course of the disease is higher in older people, as well as people with chronic diseases (arterial hypertension, heart disease or diabetes).

In the presence of fever, cough and shortness of breath, an ambulance should be urgently called.


How to protect yourself and others?

1. It is necessary to try to avoid crowded places.

2. Go outside with gloves on and be sure to use a sanitizer or wet wipes.

3. When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bend of your elbow. Immediately throw the napkin into the garbage container with a lid and treat your hands with an alcohol-containing antiseptic or wash them with soap and water.

4. Do not touch the eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.

5. Keep away from people at a distance of at least two meters, try to avoid them.

6. Avoid public transportation.

7. If possible, use the elevator so as not to touch the railing when walking up the stairs, but do not enter the elevator with other people.

8. Before entering the house, treat your hands with a sanitizer, then wash your hands with soap.

9. Do not go home in street clothes.

10. Do not call guests and do not go on a visit.

11. Monitor the room humidity.

12. Drink more fluids - dehydration leads to dry mucous membranes and reduces their protective function.

13. Do not travel to countries at high risk of the epidemic.

14. If you experience a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, call an ambulance as soon as possible. If you have visited areas with a high risk of infection, inform your doctor.

15. Especially take care of your older relatives. Send grandparents to the cottages, protect from trips to clinics, pharmacies and shops.

16. Stock up on medicines that you take all the time - from pressure, diabetes, asthma, antipyretics, and so on, to minimize trips to the pharmacy and protect yourself in case of quarantine.

17. Arrange delivery of products home.

How long does the incubation period last?

From contact with the virus to the onset of symptoms, it can take from 2 to 14 days, on average - 5 days.

How many days do they get coronavirus?

In cases without complications, the course of the disease can last up to 14 days, with complications - up to 8 weeks.

Where can I get a coronavirus test?

To date, independent delivery of tests for coronavirus is not provided. The examination for COVID-19 is prescribed by medical personnel according to indications:

1. Fever or signs of lower respiratory tract damage (including cough, shortness of breath) + contact with a patient with laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infection for 14 days before the onset of symptoms.

2. Fever and signs of damage to the lower respiratory tract - including coughing, shortness of breath + history of travel to countries with a tense epidemic situation (the list varies depending on the situation) for 14 days before the onset of symptoms.

3. Fever and signs of damage to the lower respiratory tract (including coughing and shortness of breath) requiring hospitalization + travel history to countries with a tense epidemic situation (the list varies depending on the situation) for 14 days before the onset of symptoms.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating 2019 nCoV infections?

Not. Antibiotics do not act on viruses; they are active only against bacterial infections. COVID 19 is a viral disease, therefore antibiotics are ineffective. Do not use antibiotics to prevent or treat COVID 19. Their use is allowed only as directed by a doctor for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Are there currently any drugs or therapies that can prevent or treat COVID-19?

A number of Western medicine, as well as traditional folk or home remedies can help to improve well-being and alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19, however, there is currently no evidence that would suggest that any of the available drugs can prevent or treat this disease.

WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medication, including antibiotics, to prevent or treat COVID-19 infection. At the same time, clinical trials of a number of agents of both Western and traditional traditional medicine are underway. WHO will continue to publish updated information as clinical data becomes available.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

You should wear a mask only if you have symptoms of COVID 19 (especially a cough) or if you are caring for someone who might be sick with COVID 19. Disposable masks cannot be reused. If you do not have symptoms of the disease or you do not care for a sick person, using a mask will be irrational. Currently, there is a shortage of masks in the world, so WHO calls on everyone to use it leanly.

WHO advocates the rational use of medical masks, avoiding the use of valuable resources, as well as the improper use of masks (see Recommendations for the use of masks).

Among the most effective measures to protect your own health and the health of others from COVID 19 are frequent washing of your hands, covering your nose and mouth with an elbow or tissue when coughing, and maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter with people who cough or sneeze. See the section on basic precautions for protection against new coronavirus infection for more information.

How to use a mask?

1. Before picking up the mask, treat it with an alcohol-based product or wash it with soap.

2. Inspect it to make sure there are no holes or damage.

3. Put the mask on your face. Bend the metal insert or the retaining clip in the shape of a nose.

4. Pull the bottom edge of the mask so that it covers your mouth and chin.

5. Remove the mask after use, holding the elastic earloops and do not touch it on your face or clothing.

6. Immediately after use, throw it into a resealable container.

7. After touching the mask or throwing it away, use an alcohol-based product, and if the hands are obviously dirty, wash them with soap.

Can I get COVID 19 from a pet?

One case of dog infection in Hong Kong is known, however, to date, there is no evidence of the possibility of COVID 19 infection from dogs, cats or other pets. COVID 19 primarily spreads through airborne particles, which are formed when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

To protect yourself, you must often and thoroughly wash your hands. WHO continues to closely monitor the results of new studies on both this and other aspects of COVID 19, and will publish updated results as they become available.

Is it safe to receive parcels from the area where COVID-19 is reported?

Yes. The probability that an infection can be transmitted from a sick person through ordered goods is low, as is the risk of infection with the COVID-19 viral pathogen from packaging that has been moved, transported, and exposed to various weather and temperature conditions.


MYTHS AND FALSE REPRESENTATIONS

The transmission of the viral pathogen COVID 19 occurs in areas with a hot, humid climate.

According to current data, the transmission of the viral pathogen COVID 19 can occur in ANY AREAS, including areas with a hot humid climate. If you live or travel to an area where COVID 19 is reported, take protective measures regardless of climatic conditions. Regular hand washing is the best personal protective measure against COVID 19. This measure eliminates possible viral contamination of the hands and avoids infection if you touch your eyes, mouth or nose.

Staying outdoors in cold and snowy weather WILL NOT HELP destroy a new coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

The body temperature of a healthy person is in the range of 36.5 ° to 37 ° regardless of the ambient temperature or weather. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that staying outdoors in cold weather helps to fight a new coronavirus infection or other diseases. The most effective way to prevent a new coronavirus infection (2019-nCoV) is to regularly treat your hands with an alcohol-containing antiseptic or wash them with soap and water.

Hot tub won't help against new coronavirus infection

Taking a hot bath will not save you from COVID-19 infection. Normal body temperature ranges from 36.5 ° C to 37 ° C, regardless of the temperature of the water in the bath or shower. On the contrary, taking too hot a bath can be harmful and cause burns. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to wash your hands often. This will destroy viruses that may be on the skin and avoid infection if you touch your eyes, mouth or nose.

New coronavirus DOES NOT transmit through mosquito bites

The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus, mainly transmitted by airborne droplets, i.e. as a result of inhalation of drops released from the patient’s respiratory tract, for example by coughing or sneezing, as well as drops of saliva or nasal discharge. At the moment, information about the possibility of transmitting the 2019-nCoV virus through mosquito bites is not available. To protect yourself from infection, you must stay at a distance from people who have a cough or fever, and also follow the rules of hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene.

Is it true that electric hand dryers can destroy the 2019-nCoV virus?

Not. Hand dryers don't kill the 2019-nCoV virus. To prevent a new coronavirus infection, you must regularly treat your hands with an alcohol-containing antiseptic or wash them with soap and water. Washed hands should be thoroughly dried with paper towels or an electric dryer.

Is it true that an ultraviolet disinfection lamp (UV lamp) can destroy a new coronavirus (nCoV)?

UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of the skin, as ultraviolet radiation can cause erythema (irritation) of the skin.

It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the list of all preventive measures that protect against the new coronavirus.

How effective are body scanners in detecting those infected with the new coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Thermal scanners can effectively detect those people who developed a fever as a result of infection with the new coronavirus (COVID-19) (fever).

However, it is not possible to identify infected people before the fever stage using this technology. From the moment of infection to an increase in temperature, from two to ten days pass.

Is it true that treating the entire body surface with ethanol or bleach can destroy the new coronavirus (nCoV)?

Not. Treating the whole body with alcohol or bleach will not destroy viruses that have already entered the body. Spraying such substances can harm clothing and mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). It should be remembered that both alcohol and bleach can be effective means of disinfecting surfaces, but they must be used in appropriate cases and in compliance with the rules.

There are a number of preventative measures to protect against new coronavirus infection. First you need to regularly treat your hands with an alcohol-containing antiseptic or wash them with soap and water.

Can regular washing of the nose with saline protect against infection with a new coronavirus?

Not. There is no scientific evidence that regular washing of the nose with saline can protect against new coronavirus infection. According to some reports, regular rinsing of the nose with saline can accelerate recovery from a common cold. However, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of regular nose washing as a means of preventing respiratory infections.

Does garlic protect against infection with the new coronavirus?

Garlic is a healthy product with certain antimicrobial properties. However, during the current outbreak, there was no evidence of garlic consumption as a preventative measure for new coronavirus infection.

WHO recommends that people of all ages take measures to protect themselves from infection, for example by observing hand hygiene and cough hygiene.


If you or your loved ones become ill and have suspicions of Coronavirus, we recommend immediately contacting an ambulance in your country.

We have collected emergency medical phones in each country to make it easier for you to find and call for help.