coronavirus

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How to Protect Yourself

What is the Novel Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family unit of viruses that could be the reason for illnesses such as the flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). At the end of the year 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that allegedly originated in China and hence the name “novel” Coronavirus.

 

Why is the disease called COVID-19?

On February 11, 2020, W.H.O. announced the official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, which was first identified in Wuhan, China. The name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, shortened as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘C.O.’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for the disease. Earlier, this disease was also referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.

How COVID-19 spreads?

Coronavirus disease mainly spreads through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze and the tiny droplets gets dispensed in air and is later inhaled by a healthy person. It is also known to spread when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then eventually touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

What is the source of the virus?

Health officials are still striving hard to trace the exact source of the novel coronavirus, early hypotheses stated that it might be linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Some people who visited the market developed flu and viral pneumonia which was caused by the new coronavirus.


 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

  • Cough
  • Cold
  • Mild Fever
  • Runny Nose
  • Shortness of Breath

Is there any vaccination against the disease?

Currently there is no vaccination for the Novel Coronavirus. However, scientists worldwide, are constantly working on developing a vaccination against the pandemic. Although studies claim that even after the vaccination is produced, its mass production and distribution would take a lot of time.


 

How to protect ourselves?

As the old saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure,’ in this case too, the saying is appropriate as there is no vaccination for it currently. Hence, prevention is the best way to protect ourselves from the novel Coronavirus.

Some preventive measures are:

  • Cover the coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then correctly dispose that off.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects like doorknobs, stair railings, tables, etc.
  • Properly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Maintain social distancing and remain at least 2 meters away.
  • If soap and water are unavailable, then alcohol-based hand sanitizers could also be used to disinfect hands.
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