The Coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19, is a viral disease and is currently spreading fast throughout the world. Since the first case was diagnosed in Wuhan, China, it has left a few thousand dead and more infected all over the world.
It has also created a lot of panic to the affected countries as well as those not affected as they put precautionary measures to keep away the virus. So far, there is no known cure or vaccine for the coronavirus. Countries with no cases of coronavirus are advised not to allow persons coming from countries already infected.
Measures are being taken to test people traveling from countries already with coronavirus. Getting infected with the virus is not a death sentence as we have heard of many cases of full recovery. Older persons (60 years and above) and persons with severe underlying conditions such as heart problems, cancer, and diabetes are at a higher risk of serious complications from the coronavirus illness. The virus is believed to spread from one person to the next through; These safety precautions have been written by health care writing services company.
Close contact
Being in close contact with a person with the virus (within about less than one meter) can lead to a healthy person becoming infected. Handshaking, too, is another contributor to the rapid spread of the virus.
Through droplets from an infected person when he/she coughs or sneezes.
When droplets from nose or mouth land on the mouth, eyes, or nose of the healthy person he can get infected, they can also be inhaled into the lungs. The droplets too can land to surfaces, and one you get in touch with them, you end up being sick.
With proper caution, one can protect him/herself and the loving ones from getting infected with Covid-19 illness. There are vigorous campaigns to sensitize people on how to keep the virus at bay. Precautions and safety guidelines provided by the World Health Organization are discussed below,
Clean your hands Regularly
Make it a habit of washing your hands more often using running water and soap, especially after you have been to public places and after sneezing or coughing. You should, at all cost, avoid touching your nose, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands. The procedure of washing hands is;
- Wet your hands with water
- Apply a generous amount of soap
- Scrub your hands thoroughly for about twenty seconds, paying attention to the back of the hand, between fingers and around fingernails.
- Rinse under running water for another twenty seconds and dry your hands with a clean towel.
In case you are at a place where water and soap are not available, you can use a hand sanitizer that has 60 percent or more alcohol level. Spread enough amounts to cover all surfaces of your hands, rubbing until they feel dry.
Cover sneezes and coughs
Always cover your mouth with a tissue whenever you cough and immediately throw it away in a dust bin. You should also cover your nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow when sneezing. Immediately use water and soap to thoroughly wash your hands or make use of a sanitizer. This helps to eliminate to protect those around you in case you are infected with the virus.
Wear a face mask if you are sick
If you are sick, you should wear a mask so that you can protect those people around, whether in a shared room or vehicle. The same rule should remain when you are in the presence of the health provider.
A face mask can trap any droplets from coughing and sneezing inside. Thus they do not land on other persons or surfaces. And this minimizes the chances of infecting others with the virus. A point to note is, if you are not sick, you do not need to use the face mask unless you are taking care of a sick person.
Clean and disinfect
Surfaces and areas that are frequently touched, such as doorknobs, light switches, desks, toilets, and sinks, should be cleaned and then disinfected regularly. First, wash the surfaces/areas with a detergent or soap and water and after that disinfect. To disinfect, most common household disinfectants will work just fine.
You can also make your disinfectant by making a bleach solution. Here you should closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application coupled with proper ventilation. Another method of disinfecting is by using an alcohol solution. Ensure the solution contains at least 70 percent alcohol for it to be effective.
Avoid handshaking and hugs
Studies have shown that a high percentage of the virus is being spread the shaking of hand with the affected person. When a sick person shakes hands before he had the chance to wash or sanitize his hands, there is a higher chance he could infect another with the virus. Therefore, people are being advised to use other alternatives of greetings such as bowing, nodding, or the Namaste style. These alternatives are helping to minimize contact between persons. Hugging and kissing too has been discouraged.
Self-Quarantine
In case you get into contact with a person suspected to be suffering from the coronavirus, or you had visited a country or area with the illness, you are advised to self-quarantine yourself for
fourteen days. In case you fall sick while in isolation, you should immediately call a health facility using the provided numbers. By isolating yourself, you minimize being in contact with other persons, thus minimizing the chance of infecting others.
If you feel sick, stay at home
Whenever you feel sick, it is best if you stayed away from school or work. You should stay away from others to protect your contacts in case what you are suffering from is the coronavirus. Besides, if you live with other people and you show signs of the coronavirus, you should take all the necessary measures to protect them.
From the above information, it is evident that you can minimize the chances of getting infected by adhering to proper hygiene like washing hands more often and avoiding touching of surfaces that could be loaded with the virus. Avoiding being in large crowds and gatherings is also another pointer of avoiding the virus. You should also be aware of the symptoms of the coronavirus. They include; high fever, dry cough, and sneezing, among others.
