COVID-19
COVID-19 affects every part of the globe. It is a worldwide virulent disease that imperils our health and existence. However, it also drags us together as human beings.
What is COVID-19?
Covid-19 is the respiratory illness caused by the SARS COV-2 virus, often called coronavirus. This Virus closely resembles SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which rapidly spreads through human to human and animals contact. It is believed to have been initiated from China and widely distributed to other countries, leading to a pandemic situation.
How is it transmitted?
Three possibilities of COVID-19 virus spread:
Close Contact: COVID-19 is primarily spread through droplets of saliva from an infected person’s nose through sneezing or from coughs, talking loudly, singing, andshouting. This is the primary reason to emphasize the social distancing of 2 meters and coughing into a flexed elbow.
Infected Surfaces: Surfaces infected from the virus remains causative for a short duration. These surfaces get contaminated when affected individual sneezes or coughs; the droplets can transfer onto the surface around them. If someone touches that surface and then touch their eyes, mouth, nose, becomes infected. Henceforth,the HSE has recommended washing the hands properly more often.
These viruses can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, 4 hours on copper, and less than 24 hours on cardboard. Disinfectants can kill the virus before applying; first, clean the surface, then use a disinfectant.
Airborne Spread: Transmission through tiny water particles. This mainly occurs over a longer distance than droplets, such as across a room. It is not a significant contributor to the spread of Covid-19 but can happen in some situations.
Who is at a high risk of causing the virus?
The degree of individuals’ illness depends on the severity of their signs, symptoms, and disease stages—the range of mild to moderate illness experience in most people who recover without requiring the treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like Immunocompromised patients, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, are more inclined to severe illness. The higher viral loads are detected in cases with serious illness as compared to mild.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 virus vary from person to person and also seen in different stages. The most common symptoms are fever (usually above 38 degree Celsius), dry cough and tiredness. Common symptoms are listed below:
It takes 5-14 days to represent most of the symptoms; they can be similar to cold and flu symptoms.
How can you protect yourself and others?
- Avoid direct contact with sick people and surfaces.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for about 20 seconds, or clean with an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Try to maintain at least a 2-meter social distance between you and someone coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face and stay away from large gatherings.
Call a doctor or hospital right away if you have one or more of these COVID-19 symptoms. Lab tests can tell if COVID-19 is what is causing your symptoms. Call your GP or us at 24DOC at (0766020068) if you have questions related to COVID testing.
For up-to date information on Covid-19 please visit
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
Feel free to share with us any of your experience related to COVID-19 below.