When it comes to the news, time and time again, we hear about the pandemic known as Coronavirus or COVID-19. For some, it can be hard to differentiate between what is news and fact from that of anxiety and paranoia about the disease or virus. While it is essential to stay up to date with all that is involved with the pandemic, it is critical to be sure you only consume news that is truthful and unbiased. If you are still skeptical about where to go, we have put together this little guide to provide a little in-depth look at COVID-19. Here is our inside look at Coronavirus:
What is Coronavirus?
According to the World Health Organization, Coronavirus or COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. A member of the coronavirus family causes COVID-19. The strain has never been encountered before or researched within our society. It was found, however, that like other coronaviruses, it has transferred to humans from animals. Coronavirus can easily be described as a type of virus that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
Cases of COVID-19 have been reported in a growing number of countries, with the U.S. WHO declaring Coronavirus a global pandemic in March 2020. Public health groups, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have been monitoring the situation and have been posting updates, treatment, and prevention recommendations on their websites.
The new Coronavirus appears to spread from person to person among those in close contact. It is spread by respiratory droplets when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. It's unclear exactly how contagious the virus is. At this time, there are also no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, many ongoing clinical trials are evaluating potential treatments, with WHO continuing to provide information as soon as clinical findings become available.
What Are The Symptoms of Coronavirus?
What is interesting about the Coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic is that the virus affects people in different ways. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease; most infected people developing mild to moderate symptoms where they recover without requiring special treatment. However, people who have underlying medical conditions, and those over 60 years old have a higher risk of developing severe disease and death.
When it comes to the disease however, these are the common symptoms as reported by the World Health Organization:
- fever
- tiredness
- dry cough
In some rarer of cases:
- shortness of breath
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- and very few people will report diarrhea, nausea, or a runny nose.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider on testing advice or referral. People with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should call their doctor and seek medical attention immediately.
How To Prevent Coronavirus From Spreading?
According to the World Health Organization and MayoClinic,there are a number of things one can do to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub for at least 20 seconds. Sing a song during the time if needed.
- Maintain space between you and people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay home if you feel unwell and only go out when you need essential products like food and water.
- Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
- Keep up aerobic exercise.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch on a daily basis.
If you feel like you have the Coronavirus or are experiencing symptoms, be sure to contact a medical professional who can provide you with information on how to get tested and ensure your safety during this time. Consider doing more research, take the time to read, and get informed.
However, if you need a little time away from all the craziness, feel free to keep dropping by our blog and check out our new articles published daily! Share with us what you are doing to practice self-care during this time by following us on Instagram @itouchwearables and Facebook @itouchwearables and by dropping a comment and like.
- Patrick
