How do I know if I have got it?
Symptoms include coughing, raised temperature and a shortness of breath. However, these are very similar to those for flu. Experts say the hallmark for Covid-19 is the breathing difficulty. Other symptoms can include aches and pains, nasal congestion, sore throat or diarrhoea.
Those in most danger – like older people with existing medical conditions – are likely to exhibit more dramatic symptoms. Obviously, you are more likely to have coronavirus if you have been exposed to it.
How could I have been exposed to it?
You will have caught it from someone else who has it, either here or in one of the higher concentration zones abroad. The disease is spread by respiratory droplets coughed up or breathed out through the nose or mouth by a carrier.
You become infected when you unwittingly absorb these globules through your eyes, nose or mouth.
This can be directly while airborne or if the patient touches a surface they have landed on and then rubs their face. The symptoms can take up to 14 days to appear but on average, should show within five.
Can an infected person spread the virus even if they do not show symptoms?
Yes, the virus can be spread when a person does not show any symptoms, but they are most contagious when they are most symptomatic.
What should I do if I exhibit the symptoms?
NHS experts advise anyone who thinks they may have the virus to self-isolate by staying at home.
Bearing in mind that you may risk infecting other people or may simply have flu, they advise you not to go to your GP surgery or the local pharmacy or hospital. Instead, look up advice on the special NHS 111 online coronavirus service.
Can it be treated?
Not yet. As we speak, doctors cannot cure or prevent Covid-19, though they are working on clinical trials for vaccines and antiviral medicines. Antibiotics do not work because they combat bacteria rather than viruses, but they are dispensed to patients, to prevent secondary, bacterial infections. Medics can also provide treatment to comfort and alleviate the symptoms.
How long does it take to recover?
Anything up to six weeks, according to the World Health Organisation. Other experts have suggested even longer.
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21044/425643/5e6ba93909de3/1584113582745.jpg]
How long does the virus survive on surfaces?
Scientists believe it can survive for days on a hard surface like a tabletop or door handle. Although they do not know for certain, they base their advice on better-known coronavirus types which have remained alive for at least a few hours and as long as several days.
This will depend on factors like temperature and humidity.
Scientists at US university Harvard say it is less easily spread from soft surfaces – like fabric or carpet – than hard.
Can you catch Covid-19 twice?
We do not know yet. Although a woman in Japan is reported to have contracted it again after being given the all-clear, details of the case are unconfirmed.
Other coronaviruses have tended to leave patients with a period of immunity after they have been cured.
What are the most important ways of staying safe?
Health officials advise you first and foremost simply wash your hands more often than usual, with 20 seconds the recommended cleansing time.
They say you can use soap as well as sanitising gel, and that you should be particularly careful to wash when you get home or into work, after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, or when eating or handling food.
Generally, avoid touching your face and try to avoid close contact with other people when out and about.
Will washing my hands slow down the spread of the virus?
Yes. Hot water, soap and rigorous scrubbing is enough to kill the virus.
Even if you have come into contact with an infected surface, comprehensively scrubbing with soap is sufficient to eradicate it.
Can I shake hands with people?
No, handshakes are out and health officials suggest touching elbows as a safe way of greeting people.
What about touching hard surfaces?
These can harbour Covid-19 if they have been in contact with an infected person.
One tip is to use your knuckles to touch unavoidable hard surfaces like light switches and doorbells because you are less likely to rub your face with them afterwards.
Mobile suppliers advise using an alcohol wipe to keep phones germ free and even banknotes should be avoided as a possible source of Covid-19.
What about crowds, buses, trains and other public places?
Experts say the risk of catching the virus is greater in public places. It is highly contagious – that is why some football matches and other major events have been cancelled to avoid spreading the virus.
However, for the individual, the NHS says only those who have the symptoms already should go out of their way to avoid gatherings.
How can I touch buttons on public transport or lifts?
Experts again have suggested that you use your knuckles instead of your fingers because you are less likely to put them in your mouth. If you prefer, use a small tissue and bin it immedia...
Symptoms include coughing, raised temperature and a shortness of breath. However, these are very similar to those for flu. Experts say the hallmark for Covid-19 is the breathing difficulty. Other symptoms can include aches and pains, nasal congestion, sore throat or diarrhoea.
Those in most danger – like older people with existing medical conditions – are likely to exhibit more dramatic symptoms. Obviously, you are more likely to have coronavirus if you have been exposed to it.
How could I have been exposed to it?
You will have caught it from someone else who has it, either here or in one of the higher concentration zones abroad. The disease is spread by respiratory droplets coughed up or breathed out through the nose or mouth by a carrier.
You become infected when you unwittingly absorb these globules through your eyes, nose or mouth.
This can be directly while airborne or if the patient touches a surface they have landed on and then rubs their face. The symptoms can take up to 14 days to appear but on average, should show within five.
Can an infected person spread the virus even if they do not show symptoms?
Yes, the virus can be spread when a person does not show any symptoms, but they are most contagious when they are most symptomatic.
What should I do if I exhibit the symptoms?
NHS experts advise anyone who thinks they may have the virus to self-isolate by staying at home.
Bearing in mind that you may risk infecting other people or may simply have flu, they advise you not to go to your GP surgery or the local pharmacy or hospital. Instead, look up advice on the special NHS 111 online coronavirus service.
Can it be treated?
Not yet. As we speak, doctors cannot cure or prevent Covid-19, though they are working on clinical trials for vaccines and antiviral medicines. Antibiotics do not work because they combat bacteria rather than viruses, but they are dispensed to patients, to prevent secondary, bacterial infections. Medics can also provide treatment to comfort and alleviate the symptoms.
How long does it take to recover?
Anything up to six weeks, according to the World Health Organisation. Other experts have suggested even longer.
[https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/21044/425643/5e6ba93909de3/1584113582745.jpg]
How long does the virus survive on surfaces?
Scientists believe it can survive for days on a hard surface like a tabletop or door handle. Although they do not know for certain, they base their advice on better-known coronavirus types which have remained alive for at least a few hours and as long as several days.
This will depend on factors like temperature and humidity.
Scientists at US university Harvard say it is less easily spread from soft surfaces – like fabric or carpet – than hard.
Can you catch Covid-19 twice?
We do not know yet. Although a woman in Japan is reported to have contracted it again after being given the all-clear, details of the case are unconfirmed.
Other coronaviruses have tended to leave patients with a period of immunity after they have been cured.
What are the most important ways of staying safe?
Health officials advise you first and foremost simply wash your hands more often than usual, with 20 seconds the recommended cleansing time.
They say you can use soap as well as sanitising gel, and that you should be particularly careful to wash when you get home or into work, after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, or when eating or handling food.
Generally, avoid touching your face and try to avoid close contact with other people when out and about.
Will washing my hands slow down the spread of the virus?
Yes. Hot water, soap and rigorous scrubbing is enough to kill the virus.
Even if you have come into contact with an infected surface, comprehensively scrubbing with soap is sufficient to eradicate it.
Can I shake hands with people?
No, handshakes are out and health officials suggest touching elbows as a safe way of greeting people.
What about touching hard surfaces?
These can harbour Covid-19 if they have been in contact with an infected person.
One tip is to use your knuckles to touch unavoidable hard surfaces like light switches and doorbells because you are less likely to rub your face with them afterwards.
Mobile suppliers advise using an alcohol wipe to keep phones germ free and even banknotes should be avoided as a possible source of Covid-19.
What about crowds, buses, trains and other public places?
Experts say the risk of catching the virus is greater in public places. It is highly contagious – that is why some football matches and other major events have been cancelled to avoid spreading the virus.
However, for the individual, the NHS says only those who have the symptoms already should go out of their way to avoid gatherings.
How can I touch buttons on public transport or lifts?
Experts again have suggested that you use your knuckles instead of your fingers because you are less likely to put them in your mouth. If you prefer, use a small tissue and bin it immedia...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 13, 2020