COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
From the evidence so far, the covid-19virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humidweather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, ortravel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself againstCOVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminateviruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by thentouching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Cold weather and snow cannot kill the new coronavirus.
There is no reason to believe that coldweather can kill the new coronavirus. The normal human body temperature remainsaround 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. Themost effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is byfrequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them withsoap and water.
Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease
Taking a hot bath will not prevent you fromcatching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C,regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Actually, taking a hotbath with extremely hot water can be harmful, as it can burn you.
The new coronavirus cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites.
To date there has been no information norevidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted bymosquitoes. The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarilythrough droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, orthrough droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. Avoid close contact withanyone who is coughing and sneezing.
Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?
No. Hand dryers are not effective inkilling the 2019-nCoV. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, youshould frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash themwith soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry themthoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
Can an ultraviolet disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?
UV lamps should not be used to sterilizehands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
How effective are thermal scanners indetecting people infected with the new coronavirus?
Thermal scanners are effective in detectingpeople who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal bodytemperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, theycannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This isbecause it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected becomesick and develop a fever.
Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new coronavirus?
No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all overyour body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Sprayingsuch substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes,mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfectsurfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such aspneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do notprovide protection against the new coronavirus. The virus is so new anddifferent that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop avaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. Although thesevaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratoryillnesses is highly recommended to protect your health
Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
No. There is no evidence that regularlyrinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the newcoronavirus. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nosewith saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However,regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections
Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
Garlic is a healthy food that may have someantimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the currentoutbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus
Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by thenew coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medicalconditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be morevulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. WHO advises people of allages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by followinggood hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?
No, antibiotics do not work againstviruses, only bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and,therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention ortreatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receiveantibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.
Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?
To date, there is no specific medicinerecommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). However, thoseinfected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treatsymptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportivecare. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be testedthrough clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and developmentefforts with a range or partners.
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus
Stay aware of the latest information on theCOVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national andlocal public health authority. Most people who become infected experience mildillness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of yourhealth and protect others by doing the following:
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your handswith an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based handrub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distancebetween yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someonecoughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouthwhich may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets,including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and canpick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes,nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
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. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following goodrespiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such ascold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have afever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call inadvance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to dateinformation on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow yourhealth care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. Thiswill also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections
Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider
Stay informed on the latest developmentsabout COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your nationaland local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourselfand others from COVID-19. Why? National and local authorities will havethe most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area.They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing toprotect themselves.