There is a lot of scare mongering and fake news going on with regards to the COVID-19 (Corona Virus). Here’s what you need to know.
The COVID-19 is a virus that was transferred from animals to humans via Wet Markets in China. In these markets the assortm,ent of live and dead animals of many and exotic varieties has allowed for the virus to jump from animals to humans.
The virus Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness. Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick very quickly. There is evidence that it spreads from person to person. Good hygiene can prevent infection.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Prevention
Surgical masks in the community are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus disease from spreading it to others. If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask as there is little evidence supporting the widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people to prevent transmission in public.
Everyone should practise good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:
- washing your hands often with soap and water
- using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- avoiding close contact with others, such as touching
If you have a confirmed case, you need to isolate yourself to prevent it spreading to other people.
Presently the number of deaths associated with the COVID-19 virus have been people around 80 years of age and above with a current health condition (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease) so, for the majority of people the virus will just be a bad cold, and Australia’s medical system, whilst it will be pushed, is able to accommodate the influx of vulnerable cases. As such, for the majority of us, there is no reason to panic.
