There is way too much hype and misinformation regarding this new “novel” Coronavirus. So we at Hometriangle felt responsible to shed light on this issue.
Truth & Myths about Coronavirus - Be Alert, Not Anxious.
There is way too much hype and misinformation regarding this new novel Coronavirus. So we at Hometriangle felt responsible to shed a light on this issue. Please note that every piece of information you find here is either from the WHO or the IMA.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. In fact, the common cold that you and I get can be caused by a Coronavirus. What’s happening in Wuhan, China is caused by a novel Coronavirus. It's not the one that causes the common cold. What makes it novel is that it was spread from an animal to humans.
What is a novel Coronavirus?
A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. The new, or novel coronavirus, now called 2019-nCoV, had not previously detected before the outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
How dangerous is it?
As with other respiratory illnesses, infection with 2019-nCoV can cause mild symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. It can be more severe for some persons and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes and heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Can I catch 2019-nCoV from pets?
No, at present there is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as cats and dogs have been infected or have spread 2019-nCoV.
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus
Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based solution or soap and water for about 20 seconds every hour. This will help kill the virus if it’s on your hand
When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or into a tissue - discard the tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands with soap and water.
Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter(3 feet), especially if someone is coughing, sneezing or has a fever because when someone coughs or sneezes, they project small droplets containing the virus and you might inhale them.
Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose. Hands might touch surfaces that could be contaminated by the virus. If you touch your eyes, mouth or nose, you would be potentially transferring the virus from the surface to yourself.
If you have fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately. Tell your doctor if either you have been to China or if you have been in contact with someone who has traveled to China with similar symptoms. Respiratory symptoms with fever can have a range of causes, and depending on your personal travel history and circumstances, 2019-nCoV could be one of them.
Some Myth Busters about Coronavirus.
Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus.
Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.
Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
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