COVID 19 - What You Need To Know

What Is It?

Many coronaviruses have been in existence for many years. However, the strain that has caused the COVID 19 pandemic is different because it is so highly contagious and causes a severe, often fatal illness.

How Does It Spread?

COVID 19 spreads by the virus existing in the breath of an infected person. When that person breathes, sneezes or coughs, the virus is carried in minute droplets through the air, and if these are inhaled by another person, the infection spreads. If the droplets land on someone's hands and that person touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth, that too causes disease.

The Common Symptoms

The symptoms of COVID 19, which may be in mild or severe form, typically appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. The common ones are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Less common symptoms include sore throat, nasal congestion, diarrhea, and body ache and pains.

Prevention

The following precautions help to prevent infection:

• Frequent washing of hands
• Maintaining social distancing norms
• Avoiding touching to the face
• Regular disinfection of surfaces with which you come into contact

Treatment

If you do feel unwell, do the following:

• Isolate yourself at home
• Stay away from others living in the same house or apartment
• Contact your doctor and provide details of your condition before going to see him. Follow the doctor's instructions on what to do.