Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
What does it cause?
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness (including symptoms like cough and fever) and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
How to pervert it?
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the coronavirus COVID-19, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
Do:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- use hand sanitizer gel if soap and water are not available
- wash your hands as soon as you get back home
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Don’t:
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
How does it spread?
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Is there a vaccine?
At this time (March 2020), there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.
Source: World Health Organization (www.who.int), NHS