How Can I Protect Myself (and Others) from the New Coronavirus and COVID-19?

What is COVID-19 and how can I protect myself?

v Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

v 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.

v The 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. 

v 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).

v At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available.

v COVID-19 is a new infectious disease caused by a strain of coronavirus (coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause different infections such as common cold, but also SARS).

v The common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough, and tiredness, which can develop into more serious symptoms later on.

Protecting yourself and others from the spread COVID-19

v  Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

v  Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. Why? When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person has the disease.

v  Avoid going to crowded places. Why? Where people come together in crowds, you are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COIVD-19 and it is more difficult to maintain physical distance of 1 metre (3 feet).

v  Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.

v  Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

v  Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others. Why? Avoiding contact with others will protect them from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

v  If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

v  Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Why? Local and national authorities are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

However, in these testing times, it is important to not panic, and instead, maintain composure while practicing some important protection measures and taking up precautions when necessary. Here are 7 things you can do to stay safe: 

Wash hands frequently

ü Hand hygiene is the most important factor in protecting yourself, according to WHO. Wash your hands at least for 20 seconds frequently when you have been in contact with multiple objects or in a crowded area. Make sure you are scrubbing the back of your hands, between the fingers and under the nails. Using regular soap and water is enough, and washing up to half your forearms is recommended. In situations where you cannot do so, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers is the next best option.

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth

ü Your hands can pick up the virus from surfaces. Once contaminated, the virus can enter your body when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. It would be advisable to avoid shaking hands and hugging people who may be sick or may have returned from places where outbreaks have happened- it is important to do so politely too.

Practice respiratory hygiene

ü As mentioned before, the coronavirus infection spreads via droplets of saliva and mucus. Practice good respiratory hygiene by covering your face while coughing or sneezing into your elbow when in crowded places. Make sure to dispose of used tissues or masks carefully.

Avoid crowded places

ü Try not to be present in crowded places. If someone sneezes or coughs, you may catch the virus since the droplets can levitate in the air within several feet from the sneeze and for over 10 minutes. If travelling is a must, then it is advised to steer clear of a sick person and wear a mask. WHO has recommended avoiding non-essential travel to high-risk coronavirus-affected countries. Always check the travel advisory before you proceed with any plans.

Wear a mask

ü Not everyone needs to wear a mask. If you are a healthcare provider, or if you are caring for an infected person, or if you are sick or having symptoms, or if you are going to be amongst a large crowd, you need to wear a mask to contain and prevent the spread of droplets. Do not hoard masks as they are not foolproof methods to avoid catching the infection. Remove the mask from the back of the head instead of touching it while disposing.

Follow good personal hygiene

ü Make sure you’re cleaning your house with disinfectant. Ensure food is cooked properly. Avoid raw or under-cooked food. Avoid contact with live animals, and if you do so, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

ü There is no evidence however of the infection spreading to pets, but it would always be helpful to wash your hands frequently, especially before and after contact with your pet, as a precaution.

Talk to a doctor

ü If you are showing signs of fever, cough or breathing difficulties, wear a mask and visit your doctor for a check up after informing duly that you might be suspecting the infection. Additionally, if you have these symptoms and have been in contact with someone who has the infection and if you have returned from an area where an outbreak has occurred, it is important to report to a helpline number dedicated to handling this, and then visiting the nearest hospital as per instructions given.

To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:

v  Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.

v  Maintain at least 1 meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.

v  Avoid touching your face.

v  Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

v  Stay home if you feel unwell.

v  Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.

v  Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

Symptoms of Covid-19

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.

Most common symptoms:

v  fever.

v  dry cough.

v  tiredness.

Less common symptoms:

v  aches and pains.

v  sore throat.

v  diarrhoea.

v  conjunctivitis.

v  headache.

v  loss of taste or smell.

v  a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes.

Serious symptoms:

v  difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

v  chest pain or pressure.

v  loss of speech or movement.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms.  Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility. 

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. 

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.