Coronavirus: Is It Really So Scary?

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Coronavirus … Currently, this word is on almost everyone's lips, and there is absolutely nothing to be surprised at, because literally every day in the news there is information about new cases of infection with a dangerous disease and new deaths. However, there are also people who believe that this virus is not worth fearing at all, and fears about it are greatly exaggerated. So how are things really going?

What is this attack?

In fact, the coronavirus, designated by the abbreviation COVID-19, is nothing more than one of the many varieties of the well-known ARVI, and the initial symptoms of the disease in this case are very, very similar! Only coughing up blood is considered to be a sure sign of coronavirus.

Another characteristic feature of the coronavirus is that viral pneumonia often develops as a complication in those infected with this dangerous ailment, an extremely severe course of which in most cases leads to death. However, this figure is not so great as some alarmists believe - it reaches a maximum of 3%, while with seasonal flu the mortality rate is about 0.7%.

Currently, the incubation period for coronavirus is fourteen days, although in reality it is very individual and on average is generally equal to five days. Nevertheless, doctors do not exclude the possibility of a subsequent increase in this period!

Who is at risk?

The categories of citizens most susceptible to coronavirus infection are the elderly, that is, people over sixty years old, as well as persons of Asian nationalities, regardless of their age. Citizens with various chronic diseases (heart, blood vessels, lungs), with immunodeficiency, as well as people suffering from diabetes or kidney failure also get into the risk zone. As for the least susceptible to the ill-fated ailment, this category includes children and adolescents - they have the lowest percentage of infection.

Are there medications for the treatment of coronavirus?

Unfortunately, the modern pharmaceutical industry will not please us with drugs for the treatment of coronavirus, since they simply do not exist. There is an opinion that the well-known "Arbidol", as well as drugs for malaria and drugs for the treatment of HIV infection, are perfect for the treatment of this merciless scourge. In fact, this is nothing more than a myth - you should definitely not count on the effectiveness of such drugs!

Is it dangerous to receive parcels from China and other countries where there is a coronavirus?

Experts say that such parcels do not pose the slightest danger, so you can safely order all the goods of interest and quite calmly go to the post office for the cherished parcels. And those who are scared anyway can simply disinfect the received goods before using them! However, this recommendation is always and in all cases relevant, even without coronavirus, because no one knows in what conditions the goods are stored by sellers in warehouses!

How not to get infected?

Traditional precautions will be sufficient for this. Hands must be washed properly with soap and after using the toilet, and upon coming from the street, and before eating, and in all other situations in which we are usually used to doing this. Outside the home, you can use either wet wipes or a special antibacterial gel for these purposes (as a rule, such gels contain alcohol). But touching your hair or face once again with unwashed hands, especially in the area of the mouth or nose, is taboo, since in this case, harmful bacteria easily enter the mucous membranes, which in itself is unsafe.

If you need to sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a clean paper towel, which should be sent to the trash can immediately after this action. And, of course, it doesn't hurt to wash your hands right away! If there was no napkin at hand, you need to sneeze and cough in the elbow. And in no case should you use your palm for this purpose! By touching a palm rich in microbes to door handles and many other objects, a person automatically makes them potentially dangerous to others!

The premises need to be systematically ventilated, in addition, it is important to try to maintain optimal air humidity in them. And those who plan to use medical masks for protection need to learn how to use them correctly - they only put on them with cleanly washed hands and are replaced as soon as the mask becomes dirty or damp. Of course, such masks are not suitable for repeated use, and after each removal, do not forget to wash your hands with soap and water. As for visiting various public places, it is highly undesirable to approach other people by more than a meter.

If an ARVI infection does occur, you should be especially wary when symptoms of respiratory tract infection appear - this is a good reason to see a doctor. And if, during the two weeks preceding the disease, a person visited regions unfavorable for the coronavirus or came into contact with citizens infected with it, it is necessary to be doubly alert! Ideally, it is better to "sit out" the entire period of the illness at home, trying once again not to go anywhere and strenuously engaged in symptomatic treatment. But in the event that the temperature suddenly rises sharply and there is a fever, shortness of breath or a cough, you should never delay seeking medical help! And whether a coronavirus test is needed in this case - the doctor will decide on his own.