Countries are going into lockdown and states are shutting institutions and organisations in fear of the Coronavirus outbreak. What are the signs and symptoms you need to watch out for? Read all about that and more here.
Here are some interesting facts about the horrid COVID-19 virus that everyone needs to know about. Awareness and knowledge are the only weapons that can tackle myths and fears and fake news that create paranoia for people across the globe.
Is there a vaccine to treat or prevent COVID-19?
No, there is no vaccine at present.
Who is at a greater risk of contracting the virus?
From the initial reports that are coming in, it is evident that elders above the age of 70 are at a greater risk of contracting the infection compared to others. That does not rule out people from other age groups. A newborn has recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Europe. However senior citizens and people with co-morbidities such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and other immunity-suppressing illness are at greater risk and need 24*7 care to curb the spread of the infection and to reduce the intensity of the infection.
What is the incubation period for COVID-19?
The incubation period for the novel coronavirus is somewhere between 2 to 14 days after exposure.
What is the difference between a common cold and coronavirus?
A regular common cold presents itself as runny nose accompanied by sneezing, a sore throat, body aches and a mild dry cough. Fever happens in some occasions and not all. Whereas for the coronavirus, the symptoms to note are shortness of breath, fever, dry cough with a gradual onset from 2-14 days of contracting the virus.
Can the virus spread quickly even before I show symptoms?
Sadly, yes. According to the researchers, including those from the University of Texas at Austin, the average serial interval for the novel coronavirus in China was approximately four days. The study showed that the time between cases in a chain of transmission is less than a week, and over 10 per cent of patients are infected by someone who has the virus but does not show symptoms yet,