COVID-19

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses constitute an extensive family of viruses with proven pathogenic properties in relation to humans or animals. It is known that a number of coronaviruses can cause respiratory infections in humans ranging from the common cold to more serious conditions, such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The last of the recently discovered coronaviruses causes COVID ‑ 19.

What is COVID-19?

COVID ‑ 19 is an infectious disease caused by the last of the recently discovered coronaviruses. Prior to the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, nothing was known about the new virus and disease.

What are the symptoms of COVID ‑ 19?

The most common symptoms of COVID ‑ 19 include fever, fatigue, and dry cough. A number of patients may experience various pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, pharyngitis, or diarrhea. As a rule, these symptoms develop gradually and are mild. Some infected individuals do not experience any symptoms or well-being. In most people (about 80%), the disease ends in recovery, with no specific therapeutic measures required. In about one in six cases of COVID-19, severe symptoms occur with the development of respiratory failure. In older people, as well as people with existing somatic diseases, such as arterial hypertension, heart disease or diabetes, the likelihood of a severe course of the disease is higher. If you have fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.

Is the virus causing COVID-19 transmitted through the air?

According to current scientific data, it is precisely the small drops released from the respiratory tract that are a more significant transmission factor than air. See the answer to the previous question “How does the virus spread?”

How can I protect myself and prevent the spread of the disease?

Keep up-to-date on the outbreak information that can be found on the WHO website and also from national and local public health representatives. In many countries, COVID-19 has been reported, and in some outbreaks. The Chinese authorities, as well as a number of other countries in which outbreaks were recorded, managed to slow down the spread of the disease or completely stop it. Nevertheless, the situation is still unpredictable, and therefore should stay abreast of recent developments.

By taking simple precautions, you can reduce the risk of becoming infected or spreading COVID ‑ 19:

Treat your hands regularly with an alcohol-based product or wash them with soap.

Why is this needed? If a virus is present on the surface of the hands, treating the hands with an alcohol-containing product or washing them with soap will kill it.

Keep at least one meter away from coughing or sneezing people.

Why is this needed? When coughing or sneezing from the nose or mouth, the smallest drops containing the virus are released, which the person spreads around him. Being too close to such a person, you risk inhaling these drops and getting infected from him, including a coronavirus infection, if the person is sick with COVID-19.

If possible, do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Why is this needed? Hands touch many surfaces and a virus can get onto them. Once in the hands, viral particles can enter the eyes, nose, or mouth. From these parts of the body, the virus can invade the body and cause disease.

Both you and others should strictly observe the rules of respiratory hygiene. To do this, cover your mouth or nose with your elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. The used tissue should be discarded immediately.

Why is this needed? The virus is transmitted through small drops. Strictly observing the rules of respiratory hygiene, you can protect others from viral diseases such as SARS, influenza and COVID-19.

If you feel unwell, stay home. If you have a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Follow directions from your local health authority.

Why is this needed? The central and local health authorities have the most up-to-date information about the situation in your area of residence. Timely seeking medical help will allow medical specialists to promptly refer you to a suitable medical institution. In addition, you thereby protect yourself and help prevent the spread of viral and other infections.

Keep up to date with the COVID-19 High-Risk Areas list (cities or areas where COVID-19 is widespread). Whenever possible, refrain from traveling, especially if you are an elderly person or suffer from diabetes, heart or lung diseases.

Why is this needed? In these areas, you are at increased risk of becoming infected with COVID ‑ 19.

Personal protective measures for those who have recently (in the last 14 days) visited COVID ‑ 19 distribution regions

Follow the recommendations above (“Personal Protective Measures for All”)

If you feel unwell, stay home until you recover, even if you have mild symptoms of the disease, such as a headache, low-grade fever (37.3 ° C or higher), or a slight runny nose. If you ask someone to bring you groceries and go to the store for you, use a mask so as not to infect a person who comes to you.

Why is this needed? By refraining from contact with others and not visiting medical institutions, you help these institutions to work more efficiently and protect yourself and others from possible infection with COVID-19 or other viral infections.

If you have fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing, do not delay seeking medical attention, as these symptoms may be caused by a respiratory infection or other serious illness. Contact your healthcare provider immediately and let your healthcare professional know of all recent trips or contacts with travelers.

Why is this needed? Timely seeking medical help will allow medical specialists to promptly refer you to a suitable medical institution. In addition, it will help prevent the probable spread of COVID-19 and other viral infections.

Who is at risk of severe illness?

Our information on COVID ‑ 19 is not yet complete, but it seems that a severe course of the disease is more likely to occur in older people, as well as in people with existing somatic diseases (for example, hypertension, heart, lung, cancer, or diabetes).

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.

How to put on, use, take off and dispose of the mask

The mask should only be used by medical professionals, caregivers, and those with symptoms of a respiratory illness such as fever and cough.

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

Inspect the mask to make sure there are no holes or damage.

The mask has a metal insert, take the mask with the insert up.

Place the mask with the outside of you (brightly colored side).

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

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

Remove the mask after application; hold the mask by the elastic earloops and do not touch it on your face or clothing, as the mask used may be contaminated with microorganisms.

Throw the mask into a resealable container immediately after use.

After touching or ejecting the mask, hand hygiene should be done: use alcohol-based products, and if the hands are obviously dirty, wash them with soap.