Advice from a front line fighter of COVID-19
Overview
COVID-19 is one of the Coronavirus disease which emerged in 2019 in China. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, Common cold, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS. Covid-19 is caused by specific virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-Cov-2. This disease has spread all over the world and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared as pandemic in March 2020. As of today, March 14th, 2021, the disease have infected 120,669,300 and killed 2,669,113 worldwide. Currently, the most hit countries with the number of death in bracket include- United States (547,672), Brazil (278,327), Mexico (194, 710) India ( 158,892), United Kingdom (125,580), Italy (102,499), Russia (92, 494), France (90,762), Germany (74, 002) and Spain (72, 242). These numbers are changing on hourly and daily basis. For most current information please check website: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Covid-19?
Incubation period may be 2 to 14 days after exposure; they may be mild or severe. Some people may have no symptoms at all, although they can transmit the disease. These symptoms may include – fever, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, body aches, runny nose and sore throat. Older people and people with chronic conditions such as lung and heart diseases, diabetes and compromised immune system have higher risk of developing complications and death.
Seek medical attention immediately if you have difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in your chest, confusion or inability to wake up, bluish lips or face.
How a person gets infected?
Covid-19 is caused by severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (or SARS-Co-2). It is very contagious (spreads easily) and virulent (severely cause illness). It is believed to be transmitted by contact and droplet. The disease spreads from person to person who are in close contact (within two metres) or by touching surface with virus and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Also you can get Covid-19 through droplets from infected person when a person is sneezing, coughing or talking.
Who is at Risk of getting Covid-19
- Recent travel from areas affected by Covid-19
- Living in area with ongoing active Covid -19 cases
- Being close contact with person affected by Covid -19
Treatment
There is no specific and effective cure for Covid 19, but there are a different vaccine already developed for this disease. The management of this disease is supportive care. That is, the disease is managed by relieving symptoms such as fluid therapy, oxygen support and prone positioning, and also medications and devices that support vital organs. As of March, 2021 there are four different types of vaccine available. Research is still going on vaccine.
Complications of Covid – 19
Many people infected with Covid-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms. In fact, some will have no symptoms at all. However, to some people, especially those with chronic medical condition and compromised immune system, the disease may cause life threatening complications to death. Therefore severe complication of covid-19 may include:
- Multiple organ failure ( e.g. failure of your heart, kidney, lungs)
- Pneumonia in your lungs (this called Covid Pneumonia)
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How to Prevent Covid-19
You need to know that there is no Vaccine or drugs for treating Covid-19; therefore, the only way to avoid this disease is by preventing from getting the disease by:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-bases hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect high-tough surfaces daily (e.g. doorknob, light switches, table, desks, handles, keyboards, toilets faucet)
- Stay home if you are sick unless you are going to seek medical attention.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw away the used tissue.
- Avoid sharing household items (e.g. dishes, utensils, glasses, beddings) if you are sick.
- Avoid large events and mass gatherings.
- Avoid close contact (within 2 metres) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
- If you have chronic condition or compromised immune system and if Covid-19 is spreading in your area, keep distance between yourself and others. You may wear a cloth face covering mask in public places such as super market.
Other tips
Diluting your household bleach at home:
To make disinfecting solution mix 5 tablespoons of bleach in one imperial gallon of water (one tablespoon contains 15mls and one imperial gallon contains approximately 4.5 litres).
What do you do when a family member get sick
Choose a room in your house that can be used to separate sick household members from others and follow preventive measures as pointed out previously. Infected person should stay home and self-isolated himself/herself. The sick person should go out if she/he is experiencing severe symptoms that warrant medical attention. In order to prevent spreading of infection, it is recommended the sick person to use mask or face cloth to cover the mouth and nose while in transit.
Stop and Think Twice: Online Remedies for Covid-19
Because of the catastrophic impact of Covid-19, anxieties are running high and quacks are praying on those fears by offering sham products, nonsense treatment option, fake remedies and fraudulent cures. I am acutely aware that the remedies that are really dominating now are the fake cures and fake preventive strategies. Some of them are very absurd. I would really recommend that during this difficult time, ignore those fake news and pay attention to those trusted voices such as CDC and WHO. Some of the fake remedies that have been posted online are listed below.
Garlic – Fake. High consumption of raw garlic may cause throat inflammation!
Miracle minerals – Fake. It contain chlorine dioxide which is a bleaching agent!
Drinkable Silver – Fake. It could cause serious side effects including kidney damage, seizure, argyria!
Drinking water every 15 minutes – the whole idea is fake, but nevertheless, drinking adequate water and staying hydrated is a good medical advice. Excessive water consumption can cause water intoxication a condition that is life threatening!
Heat and avoiding ice cream – Fake. You cannot kill virus this way. To actively kill the virus you will need temperatures above 60 degree Celsius!
Very hot steam inhalation, hot tea, hot gargle four times a day – Fake. if you have Covid-19 already you have fever (high temperature), subjecting yourself to even higher heat will kill you sooner.
Cow urine and cow dung – Fake. Was suggested by Indian politician. It will not cure Covid-19!
Snake oil – Fake. It is being sold in US and China!
Neem Leave (Azadirachta indica) – Fake. No evidence for cure!
It is important to note that Social medial is chaotic platform, before you post or forward anything regarding Covid-19 remedy, STOP AND THINK TWICE!
Reference :
Coronavirus (Covid-19) by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Coronavirus Pandemic by World Health Organization: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
Iringa Yetu 