What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?
Infection with the coronavirus may lead to cold-like symptoms primarily during cooler temperatures. The most common of these symptoms include the following:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Shortness of breath
Severe symptoms of infection with coronavirus may lead to pneumonia, organ failure and even death. Severe symptoms are uncommon in healthy individuals
Who is at risk of infection?
The risk of contracting the coronavirus may be increased in individuals who have:
- Travelled recently to countries with a high number of coronavirus cases
- Been to a hospital in an area where coronavirus has been found
- Been in crowded areas
- Had contact with anybody who was confirmed to have coronavirus
How is COVID-19 spread between people?
As the virus is still new, it is still unclear exactly how this virus is spread between people. Based on the viral family that the coronavirus belongs to, it is thought to be spread through direct contact and respiratory droplets.
What can we do to protect ourselves?
- Avoid meeting people who are sick
- Avoid crowded and unsanitary markets
- Avoid travel to and from countries with high prevalence of coronavirus
- Wash your hands often with water and soap
- Sanitize hands and surfaces when possible
- Wearing masks may help, but isn’t as important as washing your hands
What can we do to protect others?
If you think you may have contracted the coronavirus and are experiencing cold-like symptoms, you can help protect those around by abiding by the following recommendations:
- Stay at home while you are sick
- Avoid contact with others
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and washing your hands afterwards
- Clean and disinfect objects on a regular basis
What to do when you suspect that you are infected?
- Remain indoors and avoid contact with others
- Refrain from visiting hospitals as special equipment may be required in dealing with suspected cases of coronavirus
- Call your physician to ask for advice and inform them you may be at risk
- Avoid the use of public transport
- Call the hospital/clinic before you arrive for them to prepare the relevant equipment and room specifically designed to deal with cases of isolation
- You may be put into isolation depending on your symptoms. Do not be alarmed by this. This is being done to protect you and those around you.
Treatment for COVID-19
As of it yet there is no specific treatment for the novel coronavirus. However, advanced diagnostic testing aims to find a cure to relieve the symptoms. Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 are recommended to stay at home and rest. Most people who contract the virus will recover on their own although options exist to relieve the symptoms you may experience. Examples of these options include:
Using painkillers to help reduce pain
Taking hot showers or using humidifiers to help with symptoms such as blocked sinuses, cough and sore throat.
It’s hard to determine the time required for this pandemic to reach its peak. However, when looking at the Wuhan province in China where COVID-19 is believed to have originated, the number of new cases of infection have begun to decrease. This is a step in the right direction and indicates positive progress in containing the disease.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, please contact your physician.
