1. Is the coronavirus like flu or worse?

It would be wrong to compare the coronavirus (COVID19) with influenza or seasonal respiratory diseases. It is neither worse nor better. It is a virus that can cause lung disorders in a certain category of people, who may need not just hospital treatment, but an artificial lungs ventilation machine. The disease will be mild without complications for most people infected with COVID19.

 

2. Who is the coronavirus dangerous for?

Population aged 65+

People with severe bronchial asthma

Those who have severe cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus

Obese people with a Body Mass Index exceeding 40

Those who are being treated for cancer or who have recently completed a treatment program

People who have undergone organ transplantation and are on hemodialysis.

 

3. What are the symptoms? Should the temperature be high or can it be 37? How to recognize early symptoms to prevent the disease from getting worse?

Body temperature rise (above 37)

Coughing

Increased coughing if you have been coughing for a long time.

 

4. What substance should be used to wash the floor in the stairwell to avoid COVID19 contamination?

Use a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite for treatment (it is sold as bleach in our country). Look closely at the bleach composition. It should contain sodium hypochlorite (15-30%); dilute it following the instructions strictly. You must not make the concentration higher "to kill the coronavirus for sure"; by doing so, you can get an inhalation burn and become more vulnerable to COVID19. I have received many questions via Instagram, in particular, "Maybe I should mix Domestos and Belizna (bleach) to make it stronger"! Such actions are extremely dangerous for your respiratory tract!

 

5. My husband goes to work and I stay home. How to protect him and myself?

The coronavirus does not live in the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus does not hang in the air together with mucus particles, but settles on the surface within a radius of 1.5-2 m.

If you or your husband needs to get to work or anywhere else, observe the following rules:

- do not touch the stair railing, buttons in the elevator, door handles;

- get to work on foot. It is proved that daily walking at a medium pace for at least 60 minutes has a positive effect on your insulin and prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus;

- having reached your destination, wash your hands with liquid soap for 20 seconds;

- wipe all working surfaces (table, keyboard, phone, floor) every 3-4 hours. Use a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for treatment;

- do not touch your face;

- after nasal toilet, immediately wash your hands with liquid soap for 20 seconds!

 

7. Does the coronavirus live on surfaces, in the air? For example, in an elevator?

No, it does not live in the air!

It lives on any surface. There is no exact data on how long it can survive. According to some official sources, the virus lives for a couple of hours, some scientists say it lives about 7-14 days. 

 

8. Why is it important to stay home and not to go outside?

It is important to ensure that a large number of people do not become infected at the same time and the health care system is able to provide quality medical care. It is important to remember that most infected people experience COVID19 without the need for the hospitalization. They should observe a good water-intake regime, and if the fever goes up to 38.5 degrees and higher, take paracetamol.

 

9. Is it possible to have sex, to kiss?

If there are no signs of the disease, yes, it is!

You must hug at least 7 times a day. Support one another. If you feel irritated, angry or helpless, tell your partner that he / she is not the cause of these emotions!

The quarantine will be over, but the relationship can be ruined! It is natural that you start feeling helpless, angry or mistreated! But it is important to remember that any epidemic has not just a beginning but also an end! And most people will have the infection without the need to be hospitalized.

 

10. When is it necessary to stay at home?

If you have:

coughing

fever

if your coughing gets worse

Stay home for at least 7 days.

There is no need to immediately go to the hospital. Just call your family doctor and describe your symptoms. And remember that a family doctor is a human being too.

If someone in your family has the above-mentioned symptoms, it is important that you stay home for 14 days after the affected person develops symptoms. All family members who have been in contact with the patient should stay home in self-isolation for 14 days.

 

11. What symptoms should make you seek medical help?

Most people infected with COVID-19 do not require special medical interventions in addition to regular drinking of at least 2.5 liters by 6 p.m.; you can drink after 6 p.m. too, but the main quantity should be drunk by that time.

⇒ The body temperature does not decrease and remains above 38.5 ° C when taking antipyretics (for example, paracetamol)

⇒ If the cough gets worse / labored breathing or difficulty in breathing

⇒ If you notice that you are feeling much worse overall and, for instance, it is difficult for you to perform habitual physical actions (such as getting out of bed).

 

12. I am unwell, I feel faint, I have a runny nose, and the body temperature does not rise above 37.5 ° С! Is it the coronavirus? What should I do?

It is not necessarily the coronavirus, but you should be self-isolated for 7 days. If it is impossible to stay in a separate room and isolate yourself from the rest of the family, it is important that you wear a mask!

Wash your hands after each nasal toilet and use disposable paper towels for drying your hands and face.

Drink at least 2.5 liters of water.

When your body temperature goes up to 38.5 ° C, take paracetamol and monitor your health state.

To know when you should seek medical advice, read answer #11.