Corona Virus Disease or COVID-19 is a infectious disease caused by newly discovered virus called "corona virus" and it was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan (China).
Symptoms
The symptoms appears between 2-14 days of exposure. The main symptoms are
- Fever
- Cough
- Breathlessness or difficulty in breathing
How it spreads
- It spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose of infected person via coughing or sneezing.
Who are at risk
- Old age people (above 65 years).
- Person with underlying diseases mainly diabetes, Kidney disease, Cardiac (Heart) problems and respiratory (Lung) disease.
Investigation
- Test - RTPCR
- Sample - Nasopharyngeal or Oropharyngeal swab
Prevention
- Do frequent hand washing with soap and water (for min. 20 seconds).
- Cover your face with handkerchief/ tissue while coughing or sneezing. Dump used tissue into a dustbin immediately after use.
- Keep social distancing.
- Avoid close contact with person who are sick.
- Don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Don't shake hand.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched object or surfaces like mobile phones, switch, door knob etc.
- Mask can be used only when you are coughing / sneezing or you are taking care of person with suspected COVID 19.
Who should go for COVID-19 test
- All person who have undertaken international travel in the last 14 days and having any symptoms.
- All symptomatic* person who was in contact of laboratory confirmed cases
- All symptomatic* healthcare personnel (Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical staff)
- All hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (fever & cough and/or shortness of breath)
*Symptomatic refers to fever/cough/shortness of breath.
MYTHS
- The Corona virus can be transmitted through mosquito bites.
- Corona virus will die in hot climate.
- Eating garlic will prevent from Corona Virus infection.
Take home message
COVID-19 /Corona Virus Disease is highly infectious disease which can transmit from infected person via droplet routes (coughing/sneezing). There is no specific treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 til now. So, prevention is the only method to keep yourself away from disease.
Sources: World Health Organization (WHO); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India
COVID-19 Helpline Number Toll free: 1075, +91-11-23978046 (India)