What are the symptoms, how dangerous is coronavirus disease, how to prevent ourselves and the others, and which groups are under greatest risk? Here are some answers to the most important questions for coronavirus – Covid-19.
Coronavirus may cause influenza-like symptoms like cough, slightly sore throat, high temperature, general indisposition. You may also have diarrhoea, while runny nose is relatively rare. In more serious cases, the virus may spread intensely in the lower respiratory tracts and cause difficult breathing. Patients with severe symptoms should be isolated and undergo intensive therapy.
The incubation period of coronavirus – Covid-19 (i.e., the period between the contact with an infected person and the appearance of the symptoms) – is currently calculated between 2 and 12 days. While people are most infectious when they show (influenza-like) symptoms, there are indications that some people may spread the virus without having any symptoms or before the appearance of the symptoms. Moreover, there are people who are ‘carriers’ of the disease without being visibly ill. The experience with other viruses shows that these people may spread the virus for a longer period of time as well.
Just like other infectious agents causing diseases of the respiratory tracts, this virus is mainly transmitted through airborne droplets (mainly with sneezing and coughing, but also while talking) as well as while touching contaminated surfaces followed by touching your nose, mouth, or eyes with the same hand.
Washing and disinfection of hands is the key to preventing infection. You should often wash your hands well, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. If there is no soap and water, you may use a disinfecting agent for hands based on at least 60% alcohol. The virus penetrates the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid touching them with dirty hands. Moreover, at home everybody should use their own towel for the face and hands as well as for the kitchenware and cutlery. In public transport, it is recommendable that you use gloves, which should be changed every day, if possible.
Cough and sneeze etiquette should be maximally followed: you should stand at a good distance from the others and should sneeze and cough either in a tissue or in your cubital fossa. People with suspicion for being carriers of a disease should stay away from public gatherings and avoid using public transport. In addition, it is recommendable for them to avoid handshakes and other similar rituals of greeting and seeing someone off.
If you are afraid that you are a carrier, you should first undertake measures against spreading the disease. Avoid going to the GP, where you will meet a lot of other people waiting. It is best to talk to your doctor on the phone and follow their instructions for the further steps.