Corona virus - Co Vid 19 awareness
Contents
• What is an infection?
• What are microbes?
• What is the Corona virus?
• Origins and transmission
• Spread
• Symptoms
• Prevention
• Treatment
• Actions if getting sick
• Questions?
Infection
Definition of infection
• Is the transmission of microbes, germs or
pathogens from the sick person or the
holder of the microbe to the healthy person
who has the susceptibility to infection either
by direct or indirect means.
Sources of infection
• Infected person/ microbe holder
• Contaminated environment
• Animals sick with common human-animal
diseases
Microbes
A single or multicell organism so small it
cannot be seen with the naked eye
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Virus
Corona Virus
• Large groups of viruses
• Common Cold
• SARS
• MERS
• Look like crowns (corona)
• Much smaller than cells
• Protein spikes for attaching to healthy
cells to gain entry
• Fool cells into reproducing more versions
of virus
• Co vid 19 (corona virus 2019) attacks
lung cells
Origins and transmission of Co Vid 19
• Live animal market in Wuhan
China
• Virus lives in animals
• SARS in cats
• MERS in camels
• CO Vid 19 thought to be in bats
• Virus jump from animal to human
(spillover)
• Virus is passed by close human
contact
• Cough or sneeze
• With touch of contaminated
object
Where is it now?
• Global as of 23 March 2020 (341,526, 14748 deaths, 99040 Recovered)
• Middle East, India, Pakistan (26711, 1745 deaths)
• 227,738 active cases
• 10,560 serious or critical (5%)
• 217,178 mild condition (95%)
How does it spread?
• Face to face human contact through
cough or sneeze
• From infected surfaces and introduced
into nose, eyes and mouth
• Through faeces and non sanitized areas
Who are the most severely affected?
• Elderly
• People with pre existing conditions
How bad is it?
• Based on data from initial 56,000 cases in China
• 1-2% fatality rate
• 6% critically ill
• 14% severe symptoms
• 80% mild symptoms
How contagious is it?
• Incubation period of 5 days
• Effects for up to 14 days
• Most contagious when symptomatic
• R0 = how quickly it spreads
• R0 = 1 the infection spreads to 1 person
• R0 = 2 then infection spreads to 2 people
• COVID 19 R0 = 2.2
What are the symptoms?
Will appear between 2-14 days of infection
Most common symptoms are:
• Fever (more than 38C)
• Cough
• Dry (most common)
• Wet
• Shortness of breath
Uncommon symptoms can include:
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Fatigue (body pain)
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
How to avoid catching it?
• Practice healthy habits
• No spitting
• Covering cough or sneeze with arm or
tissue
• Keep communal living areas and
washrooms clean
• Stay away from crowds
• Avoid travel
How to avoid catching it
• Wash your hands regularly
• Don’t touch you face with unwashed
hands
• Avoid close contact with unwell people
Handwashing
• Use soap or alcohol based
gel/wipes
• Wash all parts of hand
including wrist
• Wash for at least 20
seconds
Handwashing
How to avoid catching it
• Avoid sharing food, cutlery and other
personal hygiene items
• Wear a mask if sneezing or coughing
• Avoid contact with people when
greeting
Greeting people
• If a person seems unwell stay at least 1m
away from them
• Avoid nose to nose contact
• Avoid kissing or hugging others
• Avoid shaking hands
• Greet without touching
Wearing a mask
• Normal surgical masks do not offer 100% protection
• Should be worn by people:
• Who are presenting with respiratory symptoms such as coughing/sneezing
runny nose
• Staff who are working in a high risk environment
Fitting a mask
• Wash hands before applying mask
• Locate metal strip and place over nose bridge
• Secure mask around the ears using the elastics
• Ensure the mask completely covers the nose, mouth and chin
• While in use do not touch the front of the mask
Removing a mask
• Remove the elastics from behind your ears
• Do not touch the front of the mask
• Remove the mask
• Dispose of the mask in closed container
• Replace mask if:
• It gets damp/humid
• Damaged
• Never reuse single use masks
Fitting and removing a mask
TREATMENT
• Currently there is no cure
• Supportive care only
• Antibiotics not effective
against virus
• No vaccines at this time
Flatten the curve
• Delay the impact of the virus
• Reduce the burden on
healthcare system
• Act responsibly
• Social distancing
• Personal hygiene
• No physical contact
• Masks if symptomatic
• Report to medical if sick
• Self quarantine
What to do if I get sick?
If you present with the early symptoms, you must:
• Continue to practice good personal hygiene
• Isolate yourself from others
• Monitor symptoms
• Go to doctor/hospital for testing
if symptoms worsen
• Emergency symptoms are:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face
When and What to do if I isolate?
• You should isolate yourself if:
• You have just returned from abroad
• You are symptomatic
• You have been in close contact with
a confirmed case
• Continue to practice good personal
and home hygiene
• Do not leave home except for medical
care or essential supplies
• If you must go out wear a mask
• Check your temperature regularly
When to break isolation?
You can break isolation:
• After receiving 2 negative test results
or
• After 7 days from first symptoms If your fever
breaks and it doesn’t get any worse
or
• After 14 days if isolating with others
Frequently asked Questions
• Can I get it from pets?
• Nothing suggests this yet
• Can I get it from packages delivered from China?
• No. the virus would not be able to survive that long and through all the contacts
it would have to have
• Can I get it from eating raw food?
• Generally raw food should be avoided, cooked food is safe as long as basic
food hygiene rules are followed
• When are people contagious?
• Mostly when showing symptoms of the virus but it is possible to catch it from
someone not showing any symptoms at all
Frequently asked Questions
• Can taking garlic, vitamin C or covering my nose with oil help?
• No, none of those things will kill or prevent the virus
• Can spraying with alcohol, chlorine, saline or gargling bleach help?
• No again none of these things will help, you could end up seriously injuring
yourself.
• Will it go away when it warms up?
• Traditionally cold and flu viruses do clear up during the warmer months but no
evidence yet suggests that this will definitely happen with Co Vid 19
• Can I get it from handling money?
• Yes, money and most objects you touch can have the virus on them
• Can I get it from a mosquito bite?
• No it’s a respiratory virus
Frequently asked Questions
• Can I get it from an elevator?
• Yes, the virus lasts up to 24 hours on some surfaces
• Can I get it in hot and humid countries?
• Yes the virus can be transmitted in all environments
• Can UV lamps kill it?
• No evidence suggests this, washing hands with soap and water is the best
method
• Can drinking lots or warm water kill it?
• There is no evidence to suggest this, the virus also gains entry through the
eyes and the nose
• Can gargling salt water help?
• It will help ease a sore throat but will not kill Covid 19
Frequently asked Questions
• Can I get it from my portable devices?
• Yes, the virus lasts up to 24 hours on some surfaces depending on the
environment
• Can someone who has completed quarantine/isolation give me the
virus?
• People who have completed quarantine are not considered a risk
• Can someone get it twice?
• No evidence suggests this as yet
• When should I get tested?
• On the advice of a medical professional
• What is better soap and water or hand sanitizer?
• Washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water is the best way
In Summary
• Virus is contagious and passed on through droplets from:
• Direct human contact
• Touching contaminated surface then your face
• No Vaccine and No cure for now
• Prevention is very important, remember to:
• Practice social distancing
• Practicing healthy habits
• Wash hands regularly
• Cook food and practice good food hygiene
• Keep living areas and washrooms clean
• Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
• Initial Symptoms are:
• Fever ( above 38C)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
Remember
• The only way to stop this spreading is to be responsible and follow good
basic hygiene and non contact
• If you show symptoms go into isolation and seek medical advice
• Most people who present with symptoms will probably only have a cold.
We all need to do this together and be responsible
to help stop the spread of the corona virus further
