Corona virus family causes respiratory illness like common cold to more severe syndromes like SARS ands MERS. COVID-19 is a novel virus and hence there are no vaccines available yet.
What makes COVID-19 different from SARS?
COVID-19 is genetically similar to SARS which wreaked havoc in 2003. Although this virus spreads in the same way as SARS, preliminary findings indicate that COVID-19 is less fatal than SARS.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 symptoms include,
- difficulty breathing
- tiredness
- fever
- cough
- pain in the muscles
People with reduced immunity can be affected more severely and may even lead to the death.
Elderly people at higher risk of being affected by COVID-19 due to the reduced immunity. People with Diabetes, Heart, Liver disorders, hypertension etc are also at higher risk of contracting this disease.
How can you stay safe?
Wash hands regularly
Washing hands with alcohol-based sanitizer or soap and water will help to kill the virus
Maintain social distance to people with flu symptoms
You can get infected if you breath in the liquid droplets sprayed when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Touching contaminated surface can get your hands contaminated with the virus. You should avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth before washing you hands thouroghly.
Seek Medical Care early
Seek medical help if you have difficulty breathing, fever or cough.
Corona Virus Myths
Now that we have gone through the symptoms and method to prevent coronavirus, let’s discuss some of the myths surrounding coronavirus.
| Cold weather and snow can kill the new coronavirus | FALSE |
| Goods manufactured in China can carry coronavirus | FALSE |
| Hand dryers CANNOT kill coronavirus | TRUE |
| Taking a hot bath will prevent the new coronavirus disease | FALSE |
| Mosquito bites will cause coronavirus infection | FALSE |
| Spraying alcohol or Chlorine cannot kill virus that has entered the body | TRUE |
| Thermal scanners can be used to detect coronavirus | FALSE |
| Pneumonia protects against the new coronavirus | FALSE |
| Can garlic protect from coronavirus? | FALSE |
| Can antibiotics prevent coronavirus? | FALSE |
| There are no vaccines discovered yet for coronavirus | TRUE |
What next?
Although there are no vaccines available yet, it is still possible to stay safe if you follow the above guidelines.
Stay safe and stay protected and don’t fall for the myths.
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