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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused
by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people
infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to
moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring
special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying
medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to
develop serious illness.
best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well
informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and
how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by
washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently
and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus
spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from
the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s
important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for
example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
At this
time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for
COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials
evaluating potential treatments.
To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and
most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special
treatment. People who have underlying medical conditions and those over 60 years old have a higher risk
of developing severe disease and death.
Common symptoms include:
- fever
- tiredness
- dry cough
- shortness of breath
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose
Common questions
How do I care for someone suffering from Covid-19?
Keep the patient rested and comfortable in loose-fitting clothing, keep the room where they are well ventilated, and ensure they drink plenty of water. Over-the counter pain relief may be helpful – but paracetamol (Tylenol) is recommended rather than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil). To prevent the coronavirus spreading within the household, if possible keep the patient in their own separate room and using a separate bathroom. They should have separate cutlery, crockery, bedding and towels, and preferably wear a mask. Regularly clean and disinfect high-frequency touch surfaces in the home such as door handles, toilets, kitchen counters and tabletops. Everybody in the house should be washing their hands frequently.
Can a mask protect me?
To some extent, yes, but not completely. Masks are effective at capturing droplets, a main transmission route of coronavirus. If you are likely to be in close contact with someone infected, a mask cuts the chance of the disease being passed on. If you’re showing symptoms of coronavirus or have been diagnosed, wearing a mask can also protect others. However, masks will probably make little difference if you’re just walking around town, and are no guarantee of protection. Medical staff working with Covid-19 patients have been catching the virus despite all the protective equipment they have at their disposal.
What do we know about Covid-19 and children?
Reassuringly for parents, the disease has generally been milder in children, though they can spread it without displaying any symptoms. There are many unknowns, and research is continuing.
What happens to people’s lungs when they get coronavirus?
The cough and fever is a result of the infection reaching the air passages that conduct air between the lungs and the outside. The lining of the air passages become injured, causing inflammation. The inflammation can spread throughout the lungs, causing them to fill with liquid, making breathing difficult. The lungs are then unable to get enough oxygen to the bloodstream, which can cause death.
How does coronavirus affect our pets?
There’s little evidence that domestic pets can catch the coronavirus, but contact between them and an infected person may help transmit the virus. It is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after coming into contact with any animal.
Why are some people at greater risk from coronavirus?
People with diabetes or heart disease are known to be at greater risk from coronavirus. The over-70s and pregnant women are also considered to be at higher risk. Men also seem more likely to die than women.
Could I already have had this coronavirus?
There is no test to tell. Scientists are developing antibody tests to check for a prior infection, but those aren’t ready for clinical use. The only definitive way to know that you’ve had it is to test positive for it while you have it.
Have there been other coronaviruses?
Yes. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (Mers) were both caused by coronaviruses that made the leap from animals to humans. In 2002, Sars spread virtually unchecked to 37 countries, causing global panic, infecting more than 8,000 people and killing more than 750.
What is the mortality rate of the new coronavirus?
It is probably about or a bit less than 1%. The rate appears to be as high as 4% from globally confirmed case figures, but it is likely that many mild cases are going undetected. However a 1% mortality rate would still make Covid-19 about 10 times more deadly than seasonal flu, which is estimated to kill between 290,000 and 650,000 people a year globally. The death rate also increases significantly for people over 60.
DO THE FIVE
Help stop coronavirus
1 ELBOW Cough into it
2 HANDS Wash them often
3 FACE Don't touch it
4 SPACE Keep safe distance
5 HOME Stay if you can