What Is Coronavirus (COVID-19)? 9 Steps To Protect Yourself From The Virus

As the confirmed cases of coronavirus climbing day by day, people are panicking about the disease around the world. While preclinical studies in mice for the vaccines are already underway at the NIH Vaccine research center, we can do so much to prevent getting the disease.

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that are commonly found in different species of animals, including mammals and birds. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people. The first outbreak was in Wuhan, China, from where it started to spread all around the world.

Symptoms Associated With Coronavirus

The symptoms of Coronavirus are similar to other respiratory infections. The people with the disease may experience mild symptoms to severe symptoms and death. The following symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Sore Throat
• Shortness of breath
• Not feeling well overall

Sometimes the symptoms can be more severe. The infections can turn into pneumonia and bronchitis and cause symptoms such as

• Fever, which may be quite high if you have pneumonia
• Cough with mucus
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or tightness when you breathe and cough

How does Coronavirus Spread?

The virus causing COVID-19 can easily spread from an infected person to others through

• The air by coughing and sneezing
• By personal contact ( by touching or by shaking hands)
• Touching the surface or objects that can carry the infection such as the clothes, tabletops, keyboards and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes without washing hands
• Rarely, feces (poop)

How long can CoronaVirus live on surfaces?

According to WHO it can survive from a few hours to several days depending on the weather and surface material.

If you think a surface is infected, clean it with disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth before washing.

Diagnosis

To make the diagnosis, the health care provider may

• Take your medical history, including asking about your symptoms
• Do a physical exam
• May do blood tests
• May do lab tests of sputum, a sample from a throat and nose swab, or other respiratory specimens

Are Antibiotics effective in treating Coronavirus?

No. Antibiotics are effective in treating bacteria, not viruses.

Steps to protect yourself from Coronavirus

You can take the following simple precautionary measures to protect yourself from getting infected

1. Wash hands frequently

It is essential to clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This helps to kill the viruses

2. Maintain Distance

Distance yourself from someone who coughs or sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they may spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth, which may contain viruses. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. So make sure to maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

3. Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose and Mouth

When you touch the surfaces, your hands can pick up the viruses from the surfaces. Then when you touch your face with those hands, you can transfer those germs to the body and get infected. Make sure not to touch eyes, nose or mouth without washing your hands with soap.

4. Disinfect the surfaces

If you think a surface is infected, clean it with disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others.

5. Stay informed

National and local authorities will have the most up to date information regarding the virus if COVID-19 is spreading in your area, and these authorities can ensure that you know whom to contact in case of infection.

6. Practicing good respiratory hygiene

This means covering your nose or mouth with flexed elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Make sure to dispose of the used tissue immediately after using it and wash your hands afterward.

7. Avoid Traveling

If possible, try to avoid traveling to places — especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart, or lung disease.

8. Stock up household supplies

.You may want to stock up on household supplies ideally for a month.

9. Seek medical attention early

If you think you are infected or experience any symptoms, it is essential to get medical attention at the earliest.

10. Wear a mask

The health authorities do recommend using a face mask can help you and others from getting infected

Are there any natural remedies?

While there is not enough evidence to support how effective the natural remedies are in treating the coronavirus, the following supplements can certainly help you strengthen the immune system. Keep in mind; these supplements are not meant to treat the disease; if you experience any symptoms, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that plays a role in reducing the inflammatory response and also helps to boost the immune system. Lack of vitamin C makes people susceptible to viruses.

Recommended dosage: 3000 mg

Vitamin D

Vitamin D can protect you from viruses. It bolsters your immune system and is anti-inflammatory. You don’t get enough vitamin D during winter months from the sun. So make sure you are supplementing with enough vitamin D. The levels should be between 60- 80.

Recommended dosage: 2000–5000 IU

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that keeps the immune system healthy. It is a common supplement that has been used to protect against or reduce the duration of the common cold. It has a direct effect on reducing viral infections

Recommended dosage: 20 mg daily

Selenium

Studies have shown that selenium deficiency makes people susceptible to developing viral infection. While there is no evidence of how it can help prevent the coronavirus, it can be beneficial in supporting the immune system

Recommended dosage: 100 mcg daily (It can be highly toxic for the body if it exceeds the dosage)

Elderberry syrup

Elderberry syrup is known to be beneficial in supporting and strengthening a healthy immune system function.

At the bottom line: Until the vaccine or any other treatment is developed, it is crucial to distance yourself from people who have an infection, wear mask, wash your hands often, disinfect the surface and seek medical care immediately if you have any symptoms.

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