For almost two months we have been watching the spread of a virus that has reasonably caused concern to world organisms and humans at all lengths and widths of the earth in general. Even more acute are the concerns in our country after the hundreds of cases in our neighboring Italy.
The coronavirus mentioned (2019-nCoV) is a new strain of a large family of viruses that is unknown to scientists. Coronaviruses are estimated to cause about one-third of human upper respiratory tract infections.
This new strain had not previously been detected, until it is known that it appeared in the Wuhan region of China in December last year.
What are the symptoms that should worry us?
The symptoms range from mild, like common cold, to very severe. The mild symptoms, due to infection with the new coronavirus 2019 – nCoV, are:
• Running nose
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Cough
However, some people may experience serious events:
• Pneumonia
• Breathing difficulty
Because the symptoms of course seem to be very common, it takes sobriety and calmness in how we are treated on a case-by-case basis.
2-4% can lead to death. Elderly and people with underlying diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease) are more susceptible to developing serious disease. At least the evidence so far shows this.
If this information is still little known, we as a site dealing with health issues consider it appropriate to provide the necessary information on safeguards in order to be able to protect ourselves and those around us.
Protection
To protect yourself, avoid direct contact with live animals or surfaces that have come into contact with animals.
You should also avoid eating raw or free-cooked animal products. When handling raw meat, milk and animal offal, all necessary precautions, as set out in the rules for the safe management of food, must be taken to avoid contamination.
• Regular handwashing with alcohol or water and soap. Washing your hands with alcohol or water and soap kills the virus if it is in our hands.
• Keep a distance of at least 1 meter from you and other people, especially people who cough, sneeze or have a fever. When someone is suffering from a respiratory infection, such as 2019-nCoV, he coughs or sneezes and produces microdroplets containing the virus. If you are too close, you can inhale the virus.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes. The hands touch many surfaces that may be infected with the virus. If you touch your eyes, mouth or nose, you can carry the virus from the surface to yourself.
• If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately.
• Tell your treating physician if you have traveled to China or contacted people from China or people who have returned from a recent trip to China who have respiratory symptoms.
• Whenever you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, as you may be suffering from respiratory infection or more serious illness. The onset of respiratory symptoms with fever can be due to a number of causes and, depending on your travel history and circumstances, 2019 -nCoV may be one of them.
• If you have mild symptoms of respiratory infection and have not traveled to China, stay home until your recovery, observing all the rules of personal hygiene.
Should I wear a mask?
This is another measure that can help prevent some respiratory diseases from spreading. However, the mask alone does not guarantee complete protection and should be combined with other protective measures, such as proper hand hygiene and avoiding close contact.
According to the World Health Organization, the use of a mask is recommended for people with respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing) or for patients with mild symptoms and suspicion of 2019-nCoV infection or for persons caring for patients suspected of having 201 nCoV.
Simple surgical mask application guidelines
The National Public Health Organization stresses that:
• The correct way to apply a simple surgical mask is ONE
• The simple surgical mask is a natural barrier to fluid and large respiratory droplets. When used properly it protects against the spread of respiratory diseases transmitted by droplets.
The simple surgical mask should be applied:
• In any case of respiratory infection
• In any case of care of a patient with respiratory infection
• in any case of visits to health facilities during a pandemic or the peak of seasonal influenza
Implementation instructions
• Choosing the right size
• Applying hand hygiene before mask placement
• Applying the mask on the face so that it fully covers the nose, mouth and chin (firmly, without gaps)
• Pressure of the metal element on the spine of the nose
• Secure the cords to the middle of the back of the head and neck. In the case of a mask with elastic loops they are applied around the ears
• avoid contact with the mask after application, otherwise apply hygiene before and after contact
• Remove the mask by grasping only the cords first below and above. If it is a mask with elastic loops, remove it while grasping the loops, beware!
• Disposal into the special bin for infectious items
• application of hand hygiene
• avoid reusing the mask (it is disposable)
• Removal, disposal and replacement if it is dirty or damaged
Duration of recovery
In patients with mild symptoms, the recovery time is approximately 2 weeks, while for patients with severe or critical symptoms, recovery lasts 3 to 6 weeks.
By Dr Angel,
Aggeliki Koskeridou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc c. Health Psychology
insta: dr_aggelikikoskeridou_official
