Overview
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do
the following:
- Wash
your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based
hand rub.
- Maintain
at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid
touching your face.
- Cover
your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Stay
home if you feel unwell.
- Refrain
from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
- Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
Symptoms
The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different
ways. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will
develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special
treatment. People who have underlying medical conditions and those over
60 years old have a higher risk of developing severe disease and death.
Common symptoms include:
- fever
- tiredness
- dry
cough.
Other symptoms include:
- shortness
of breath
- aches
and pains
- sore
throat
- and
very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should
self-isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line
for advice on testing and referral.
People with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call
their doctor and seek medical attention.
Basic protective measures against the
new coronavirus
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak,
available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health
authority. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover,
but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect
others by doing the following:
Wash your hands
frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based
hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using
alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social
distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and
anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets
from their nose or mouth which 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 can pick 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 with your bent
elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue
immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory
hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, 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 a fever, cough and
difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the
directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to
date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow
your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This
will 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 developments about COVID-19. Follow
advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health
authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local authorities will have the 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 to protect
themselves.
Protection measures for persons who are
in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading
- Follow
the guidance outlined above.
- Stay
at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as
headache and slight runny nose, until you recover. Why? Avoiding
contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these
facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others
from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
- If
you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice
promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious
condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or
contact with travelers. Why? Calling in advance will
allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health
facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and
other viruses.
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