Coronavirus disease (Coved-19): Questions and answers

What is the Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large species of viruses that may cause disease to animals and humans.  A number of coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections in humans, ranging from common colds to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The recently discovered Coronavirus (CORONA) causes COV-19.

What is Coved-19 disease?

Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the recently discovered Coronavirus. There was no knowledge of the presence of the virus and the disease emerging prior to the outbreak in the Chinese city of Johan in December 2019.

What are the symptoms of Coved-19?

The most common symptoms of Coved-19 are fever, fatigue and dry cough. Some patients may experience pain, aches, nasal congestion, coldness, sore throat, or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and gradually begin. Some people become infected without showing any symptoms and without feeling sick. Most people (about 80%) are recovering. of the disease without the need for special treatment. Approximately one in six people with Coved-19 infection is most acute in the disease, where they have difficulty breathing. Older people and people with basic medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes are more likely to develop severe diseases. About 2% of those who have contracted the disease have died. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How does Coved-19 spread?

People can be infected with Coved-19 through other people living with the virus. The disease can be transmitted from person to person through small catheters that are scattered from the nose or mouth when a person with Coved-19 coughs or sneezes. These villages fall on objects and surfaces surrounding the person. Other people can then develop Coved-19 disease when they touch these objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also develop Cofed-19 if they breathe the villages that come out of the affected person with their cough or exhalation. It is therefore important to stay away from the sick person more than one meter (3 feet).

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the prevalence of Coved-19 disease and will continue to publish its latest findings.

Can the virus that causes Covid-19 be transmitted through the air?

Studies to date indicate that the virus that causes Coved-19 is transmitted primarily through contact with respiratory catheters and not through the air. See the answer to the previous question: "How does Coved-19 spread?

Can you get sick through a symptomatic person?

The main mode of transmission is respiratory catheters that a person secretes when coughing. The risk of Coved-19 disease is reduced by a completely asymptomatic person. But many people with the disease have only minor symptoms. This is particularly true in the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to develop Coved-19 through a person who, for example, has a mild cough and does not feel sick. WHO is evaluating ongoing research on the duration of the transmission of Coved-19 disease and will continue to publish the latest findings.    

Can I get Coved-19 through the feces of an infected person?

The risk of cofed-19 transmission through the feces of an infected person appears to be limited. While preliminary investigations suggest that the virus may be present in the stool in some cases, its spread across this pathway is not one of the main features of the outbreak. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the prevalence of Coved-19 and will continue to publish the new findings. However, due to the risks involved, it is another reason to clean your hands regularly after using the toilet and before eating.

How can I protect myself and prevent the spread of the disease?

Protection measures for all

Keep up-to-date information on the Covid-19 outbreak available on the WHO website and through national and local public health authorities. Most of those affected by Coved-19 are still concentrated in China, while some outbreaks are found in other countries. Most people who become infected suffer from a slight illness and then recover, but the disease may be more severe for other people. You should maintain your health and protect others by following:

Clean your hands thoroughly by rubbing an alcoholic hand sanitizer or washing with soap and water.

Why? Cleaning your hands with soap and water or rubbing them with an alcohol disinfectant can kill viruses that may be on your hands.

Keep at least one meter (3 feet) between you and anyone who coughs or sneezes.

Why? When a person coughs or sneezes, small liquid catheters may contain the virus from their nose or mouth. If you're getting too close to it, you can breathe these birds, including the virus that causes Covid-19 if you have it.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. If the hands are contaminated, they may transmit the virus to the eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can enter the body through these ports and make you sick.

Make sure you and those around you follow good hygiene practices. This means covering your mouth and nose with your tampon or paper napkin when coughing or sneezing, and then getting rid of the used napkin immediately.

Why? The villages spread the virus. Good hygiene practices protect people around you from viruses such as cold, influenza and Coved-19 viruses.

Stay home if you feel sick. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and contact your caregiver before going to him. The guidance of the local health authorities was followed.

Why? National and local authorities have the latest information on the situation in your area. Your advance contact with your healthcare provider will allow you to be promptly directed to the appropriate healthcare facility. This will help protect you and prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.

Keep an up-to-date update on Coved-19. Follow advice from your health care provider, national and local public health authorities or employer on how to protect yourself and others from Covid-19.

Why? National and local authorities have the latest information on whether Coved-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on the actions that people in your area can take to protect themselves.

Protection measures for people visiting or recently visiting areas where Coved-19 is prevalent (past 14 days)

Follow the above guidelines (protections for all)

Stay home if you're starting to feel unwell until you're recovering, even if your symptoms are mild, such as headaches or mild colds.

Why? Avoiding contact with others and visiting medical facilities will allow these facilities to work more effectively, and will help protect you and others from the virus that causes Covid-19 and other viruses.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately, you may have a respiratory infection or another severe illness. Call before going to the caregiver and tell him if you have travelled or contacted any passengers recently.

Why? Your prior contact with your caregiver will allow you to be promptly directed to the appropriate healthcare facility. This will also help prevent any possible spread of the virus that causes Coved-19 and other viruses.

What are my chances of having Coved-19?

The risks depend on where you have stayed and where you have recently travelled. The risk of infection increases in areas where there are a number of people diagnosed with Coved-19. At present, 95% of Coved-19 cases are concentrated in China, with most of these cases in Hubei province. For people in most other parts of the world, the chances of Coved-19 remain low, but it is important that they be aware of the situation in their region and their preparedness efforts.

WHO is working with health authorities in China and around the world to monitor and respond to outbreaks of Coved-19.

Should I be worried about Coved-19?

If you're not in an area where Covid-19 is prevalent, if you haven't traveled from any of these areas, and if you haven't had contact with anyone who feels unwell, your chances of getting sick are currently low. However, you are feeling nervous and anxious about this. Getting facts that help you accurately identify risks so you can take reasonable precautions is a good thing. The health care provider, national public health authorities and employer are possible sources of correct information about Coved-19 disease and its prevalence in your region. It is important to know where you live and to take appropriate measures to protect yourself. (See Protections for All)."

If you are in an area where Coved-19 is an outbreak, you should take the risk of infection seriously. Follow advice from national and local health authorities. Although Coved-19 causes only a slight illness in most people, it can cause severe illness in others. In rare cases, the disease leads to death. Older persons and people with pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes) appear to be more affected. (See protection measures for people who visit or have recently visited areas where Coved-19 is prevalent (past 14 days).)

Who are the people at risk of severe illness?

We still recognize the impact of Coved-19 on people, yet it seems that the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes) develop more severe disease than others.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating Coved-2019?

No. Antibiotics do not eliminate viruses, they only eliminate bacterial infections. Since Covid-19 is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not eliminate it. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of preventing or treating Coved-19. They should only be used according to your doctor's instructions to treat bacterial infections. 

Is there a vaccine, a medicine or a cure for Coved-2019?

Not yet. To date, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral drug to prevent or treat Coved-2019. However, people with symptomrelief should receive care. People with severe illness should be hospitalized. Most patients are recovering from supportive care.

Some potential vaccines and medications specifically for the treatment of this disease are currently being investigated. They are tested by clinical trials. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat Coved-19.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others from Coved-19 disease are to keep your hands cleaned, cover the mouth when coughing by bending the elbow or with a paper napkin, and stay at least one meter (3 feet) away from people who cough or sneeze. (See: How can I protect myself and prevent the spread of the disease?).

Is Coved-19's disease the same as SARS?

All of it. The virus that causes Coved-19 disease and the one that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has a genetic connection but is different. SARS is more deadly but far less contagious than Coved-19. Sars has not been widespread anywhere in the world since 2003.

Should I use a muzzle to protect myself?

People who do not have respiratory symptoms such as coughing should not use medical muzzles. WHO recommends the use of muzzle for people with symptoms of Coved-19 and those caring for people with symptoms such as cough and fever. The use of muzzle is critical for health workers and people caring for a patient (at home or in a health-care facility).

WHO recommends the rational use of medical muzzles to avoid wasting precious resources and misuse of masks (see tips on the use of muzzles). Do not use muzzle unless you have respiratory symptoms (coughing and sneezing), are suspected of having a mildly symptomatic Coved-19 infection, or are caring for a person suspected of having this infection. The suspected infection is linked to travel to areas where cases have been reported, or by close contact with a person who has travelled to those areas and has been infected.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others from Coved-19 disease are to keep your hands cleaned, cover the mouth when coughing by bending the elbow or with a paper napkin, and stay at least one meter (3 feet) away from people who cough or sneeze. See protection measures for more information.

How to put, use, remove and dispose of the muzzle

1. Remember that the use of muzzle should be limited to health workers, caregivers and people with respiratory symptoms such as fever and cough.

2- Before touching the muzzle, clean your hands by rubbing them with an alcohol disinfectant or washing them with soap and water.

3- Hold the muzzle and check it to make sure it is not torn or pierced.

4- Select the top end of the muzzle (the position of the metal band).

5- Make sure the right side of the muzzle is directed outward (the colored side).

6- Put the muzzle on your face. Press the metal tape or reinforced end of the muzzle to take the shape of your nose.

7- Pull the bottom of the muzzle to cover your mouth and chin.

8. After use, remove the muzzle by removing the rubber band from behind the ears, removing the muzzle from your face and clothes to avoid contact with potentially contaminated muzzle parts.

9- Get rid of the used muzzle immediately by throwing it in a closed waste bin.

10. Clean your hands after touching or throwing the muzzle by rubbing them with an alcohol disinfectant, or if washing them with soap and water if they are clearly dirty.

How long does the incubation period for Covid-19 take?

The term "incubation period" refers to the duration of hiv infection to the onset of symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for Covid-19 range from one to 14 days, usually five days. These estimates will be updated as more data becomes available.

Can Coved-19 infection be transmitted to humans from an animal source?

Coronaviruses are a large species of viruses common among bats and animals. In rare cases, people become infected with these viruses, which they then transmit to others. For example, mers-coV, which is associated with civet cats, and MERS-Covone virus that has moved the camel route. The potential animal sources of Coved-19 have not yet been confirmed. 

To protect yourself, for example, when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct contact with animals and animal contact surfaces. Ensure that good food safety practices are followed at all times with due diligence when dealing with raw meat, raw milk and animal organs to avoid contamination of undercooked foods, and to avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products.

Can I get Cofed-19 through my pet?

All of it. There is no evidence to suggest that domestic or pet animals such as cats and dogs have been infected with Coved-19 or can spread the virus that causes the disease.

How long does the virus survive on the surface?

It is not known for sure how long the coved-19 virus will survive on surfaces, but it appears to be similar to other coronavirus. Studies indicate that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the coved-19 virus) may remain alive on surfaces for a few hours or several days. This may vary depending on the conditions (e.g. surface type, temperature or environmental humidity).

If you think a surface may be contaminated, clean it with a regular disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. Clean your hands by rubbing them with an alcohol disinfectant or washing them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose.

Is it safe to receive parcels from areas that have reported cases of Coved-19 disease?

Yes. The risk of contamination of commercial goods by an infected person is low, and the risk of contracting the virus that causes Coved-19 through a transport, shipment and exposure to various conditions and temperatures is low.

Are there things I should avoid?

The following measures are ineffective in the face of Coved-19 and may even be harmful:

Smoking

Use of traditional herbal remedies

Use multiple muzzles

Self-medication such as antibiotic use  

In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention early in order to reduce the risk of a more severe infection, and make sure you check your health care provider with any places you've recently traveled.