Back to basics

Is there any treatment available for COVID-19?

To date, there is no vaccine and nospecific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019. However, thoseaffected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illnessshould be hospitalized. Majority of the patients recover due to supportivecare.

   

Should I wear a face mask to protect myself from COVID-19?

Only wear a face mask if you are ill withCOVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may haveCOVID-19. Please remember that disposable face mask can only be used once. Ifyou are not ill, then you need not wear a mask.

How to use, remove and discard face mask?

1. Remember, a mask should only be used byhealth workers, care takers, and individuals with respiratory symptoms, such asfever and cough.

2. Before touching the mask, clean handswith an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

3. Take the mask and inspect it for tearsor holes.

4. Check which is the top side

5. Ensure proper side of the mask facesoutwards (the coloured side).

6. Place the mask to your face.

7. Pull down the mask’s bottom so it coversyour mouth and your chin.

8. After use, take off the mask; remove theelastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your faceand clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.

9. Discard the mask in a closed binimmediately after use.

10. Perform hand hygiene after touching ordiscarding the mask – Use alcohol-based hand rub or wash your hands with soapand water.

PREVENTION:

As we all know that prevention is betterthan cure, precautionary measures will have a greater impact on shutting downthe transmission cycle of the virus. A lot of prevention advice is goingaround, both good and bad. I hope it’s helpful to compile some of the former inone place. Preventing the spread of an outbreak requires a massive globaleffort, but here are steps everyone can take.

If you are unwell with either a hightemperature or new continuous cough, you should self-isolate. You need to seekmedical advice immediately, if your symptoms worsen during home isolation orare no better after 7 days.

Stay home: Only go outside for food and health reasons.

The consumption of raw or undercookedanimal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should behandled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as pergood food safety practices

Maintain 2 meters (6ft) distance betweenyourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing

Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and noseregularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol based hand rub orwash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after goingto the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, orsneezing.

After washing hands, the preferred strategyis to dry them with a paper towel; alternatively, a towel can be used butshould be washed and disinfected daily.

Clean and disinfect frequently touchedsurfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches,countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Usedetergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Avoid close contact with people who aresick.

Make sure you, and the people around you,follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose withyour bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the usedtissue immediately

Always avoid crowded place.

Avoid handshakes politely. Handshaking isan efficient way to spread infection.

If you have a fever, cough and difficultbreathing, seek medical care as soon as possible.

Visits from relatives and friends should belimited.

Stay aware of the latest information fromMinistry of Health.

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). Avoidtraveling to such places – especially if you are an older person or havediabetes, heart or lung disease.

Please remember that you can spread thevirus even if you don’t have symptoms.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) is really stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease canbe overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping withstress will make you, the people you care about, and your communitystronger.  In order to reduce stress, youneed to take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories,including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.Everyone is advised to take care of his body. Take deep breaths, stretch, ormeditate. It is advised to take healthy, well-balanced diet, exercise regularly,get plenty sleep (at least 7 – 8 hours per night) as a sleep-deprived immunesystem doesn’t work as well and avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs.  It is well known that a healthy dietand exercise are important to maintaining a strong immunesystem. Try your best to do some other activities you enjoy.

Be relaxed and do not panic, stay calm.

Dr. Shamweel Ahmad Naqash is Professor and Consultant Microbiologist, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin AbdulAziz University, KSA.

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