COVID-19, BE INFORMED & AWARE. NOT MISINFORMED.

News Desk

Fake news as well as bogus remedies about COVID-19 being rapidly circulated on internet is disturbing the social tranquility. Therefore in order to promote authentic content and curb disinformation All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has come up with information to dispel the myths of corona scare, imbibe correct knowledge & become aware. Follow cough etiquettes, hand hygiene & personal care.

Be careful, not fearful

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new recently discovered novel CoronaVirus. Coronaviruses are large family of viruses that causes illness ranging from common cold to more severe diseases like pneumonia, MERS and SARS.

How does it transmit ?

•  When a person suffering from the disease sneezes are coughs, a lot of droplets spread in the air or fall on the ground and nearby surfaces.
•  If another person is nearby and inhales the droplets or touches these surfaces and then touches his face, eyes or mouth, he can get the infection.
• The changes are more if one is within a distance of less than 1 metre from the infected person.

What happens to a person who develops the disease?

• Majority of the people (80%) will require no treatment as such and will recover and their own.
•  A small proportion (<20%) may need hospitalisation.
•  A very small proportion( mainly with underline chronic illness)may need admission in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

What is the age group in which this disease spread? Does it occur in children as well?

• This disease is known to occur in all age groups.
• It can spread to children as well through the other person suffering from the disease in the household.
• The infection is generally mild in children.
  Older persons and person with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease ,cancer or diabetes) are at a high risk to develop serious illness.

How long does the CoronaVirus survive over the surfaces or objects?

•  It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other Corona Viruses.
• Studies suggest that Corona Viruses( including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist and surfaces for a few hours are up to several days.
•  This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).
•  If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others.
• Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes mouth or nose.
• The aim is to prevent the transmission from contaminated surfaces to your hands and face /mouth/eyes.

What are the common symptoms?

• The symptoms include :
• Fever, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath.
• These are similar to the symptoms of any viral infection like common cold, influenza etc.

Whom should I consult?

You should consult your family physician if you are having clinical symptoms of a respiratory infection plus any of the following:

• Travel history to a CoronaVirus-affected area.
• Close contact with a person infected with CoronaVirus.

What tests are to be done and where to go them done?

you are not required to get tested for COVID-19 if you do not have any symptoms (cough, fever or difficulty in breathing)

If you have any of the above symptoms and have travelled to any of the COVID-19 affected countries or you are a contact of a laboratory confirmed positive case then immediately call the State Helpline Number or Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India’s

24×7 helpline i.e. 011-23978046 and Toll Free No: 1075

The helpline desk will note down your contact details and contact you with the testing protocols of COVID-19.
If you qualify as a case for testing per the protocol, you will be tested at a government approved lab only.

Is there any treatment for Coronavirus infection?

• As on date there is no specific treatment for CoronaVirus infection.
• Treatment for CoronaVirus infection consists of symptomatic treatment.
• Since it is a viral infection, so in more than 80% of the cases it recovers within few days.
• A small proportion may need admission in hospital/ICU if they are having symptoms after severe disease.

Are there any specific medications available to treat Corona Virus infection?

• No as of now there is no specific antiviral medication available to treat the symptoms of the infection however majority of the people recover without any problem just like in an other viral illness.
• Some drugs which have been used for other CoronaVirus infections are being tried in very sick patients.

How can I protect myself and my family member?

You can reduce your chances of being infected are spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol based hand rub or wash them with soap and water after coming from outside or after visiting a patient with CoronaVirus infection.
• Maintain at least one metre(3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching eyes ,nose and mouth.
• Make sure you and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. this means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. lf you have a fever cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical attention.

Who should wear mask?

• 
• Persons having no symptoms are not to use mask.
• Medical mask should not be used by healthy persons who are not having any symptoms because it creates a false sense of security that can lead to neglecting other essential measures such as washing of hands.

In such situations, more effective steps are

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds . An alcohol based hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol must be used for 20 seconds. if hands are dirty or soiled, do not use alcohol based hand sanitizer, but was hands preferably with soap and water.
• While coughing and sneezing cover nose and mouth with handkerchief or tissue paper if handkerchief are tissues paper is not available ,cough into the flexed elbow. dispose off tissue immediately after use and wash hands.
•  Refrain from touching face, mouth, nose and eyes.
•  Stay at least a metre away from those coughing or sneezing.
• Monitor your body temperature.

When and who should use medical masks( apart from HealthCare worker)?

• When a person develops cough or fever use of medical 3 layer masks when will prevent your infection from spreading to others. However you also need to wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading infections to others.
• While visiting a Healthcare facility.
• When you are caring for an ill person.
• Close Family contacts of such suspect / confirmed cases undergoing home
• care should also use triple layer medical mask.

What is the role of hand sanitizers?

• 
• Hand sanitizers are to be used when you are caring for the patients infected with CoronaVirus.
• In general, washing hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds is the recommended option.
• If hands are dirty or soiled then do not use alcohol based hand sanitizer, but wash hands preferably with soap and water.

Is there any role of specific food/drinks in the treatment of CoronaVirus infection?

• 
• There is no specific recommendation on this however one can continue to take his / her regular diet which includes fruits, vegetables etc. to stay healthy.

Is there any vaccine available for the treatment of CoronaVirus infection?

As of now, there is no vaccine available for the treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Are we well equipped to deal with CoronaVirus crisis?

Government of India is handling coronavirus in an efficient manner.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken adequate steps in this direction to equip the designated healthcare facilities to take care of the infected CoronaVirus patients, should they require an admission.

The relevant SOPs for isolation and home quarantine, sample testing, laboratory facilities and discharge of the admitted patients are well available in the public domain on the website of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

What are the few common myths?

1.Does the disease spread through food especially eating chicken, eggs and meet?

There is no conclusive evidence that properly cooked food transmits the disease.

2.Does the disease spread through pets?

The transmission of disease has not been seen through pets.

3.Does the dead body of a person infected with CoronaVirus transmit the infection?

There is no transmission of CoronaVirus infection from the dead body of the person.

How can I help in containing the disease ?

• 
• One can help by following good personal hygiene, handwashing and cough etiquettes.
• One can also avoid/restrict unnecessary travel, participation in public gatherings and can ensure a reasonable social distancing.
• This can contribute greatly in breaking the chain of active transmission.

Don’t panic, keep your stock of essential supplies, stay hydrated, do indoor workout and yoga and enjoy Binging.
Live every moment of this and we shall come out Strong and healthy.