Myths & Facts About Coronavirus: What You Can Do to Avoid Infection?

What You Can Do to Avoid Infection

As the World Health Organization has declared the Coronavirus as an international emergency, everyone must know about some basics of Coronavirus. Today, we will explain about certain myths and facts about Coronavirus that have spread all over the world.

Necessary Information about the novel (new) Coronavirus

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that causes illness ranging from the common cold to severe medical conditions such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

They are zoonotic, which means they transmitted between people and animals. Detailed investigations have found that ERS-CoV (middle east respiratory syndrome) from dromedary camels to human and SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome) transmitted from civet cats to humans.

Novel Coronavirus is a new strain (new version) of Coronaviruses that has not previously identified in humans. This new Coronavirus virus was first detected in Wuhan city Hubei Province, China, and which has now been recognized in 32 locations internationally, including the United States. The Virus has identified as SARS-CoV-2, and the condition it causes has named “Coronavirus disease 2019”.

What is Coronavirus?

Myth: The Coronavirus is new.

Fact: Yup and no. Technically, this version or strain of the Coronavirus – known as Wuhan Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV – is new to humans, although previously, it lived in animals.

Remember outbreaks of SARS and MERS? Those were also a version of Coronavirus. They, too, had once lived in animals and then jumped to humans. Apart from novel Coronavirus, other less dangerous strains of such viruses exist around the world and cause certain medical conditions like common colds. They create the familiar onslaught of respiratory infection symptoms, including headaches, runny nose, fever, cough, and sore throat.

Novel Coronavirus Symptoms

Myth: If a child is sniffling. It’s probably the Coronavirus.

Fact: No, sniffling doesn’t mean a child has the novel (new) Coronavirus. Only five cases have confirmed all over the United States. If someone has traveled to Wuhan or other areas in central China recently. He or she should call a doctor if having cold symptoms, fever, shortness of breath and coughing, etc. if someone goes to his doctor’s office or the emergency room, he should call ahead and wear a face mask when he entered. Coronavirus signs and symptoms can show up anywhere from 2 to 14 days after an individual exposed to the Virus.

Myth: You can spread Novel Coronavirus if you don’t have symptoms.

Fact: Initially, investigators thought only patients with symptoms of the Coronavirus could spread it to others. Recently, a report from China suggests that such a Virus may spread before symptoms show. And if true, this Virus could be quite different from SARS, where the transmission does not occur until an individual has the symptoms. The CDC is tracking close contacts of peoples with Coronavirus very closely. So far, they have found no clear evidence thus far of individuals being infectious before the onset of symptoms. Till today, we don’t have enough Information to say that someone can pass such Virus on before they show signs of infection themselves.

How to Avoid Getting Infected?

Myth: If I had a flu shot, I am vaccinated against the Coronavirus.

Fact: We don’t have any vaccine to protect against this version of the Coronavirus. Even if someone had a flu shot, he could get this infection. However, the study is ongoing to develop a vaccine that could test as soon as later this year.

Myth: You must wear a face mask to stay safe.

Fact: Currently, health officials or medical experts do not recommend everyone in central Virginia start wearing face masks. But it should take some cautions to stay away from this Virus. Washing your hands and nails is always a good idea, however!

Myth: I will need to take extra precautions to avoid catching the Coronavirus.

Fact: According to the official alerts, follow the right hygiene habits you use to avoid catching a cold.

• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands, especially after sneezing, coughing, cooking, eating, touching animals, and providing healthcare.
• Clean handrails, doorknobs, and toys.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid close contact (such as kissing, sharing cups, or sharing eating utensils) with people who are sick.

What Happens if You Get Sick?

Myth: If you’re pretty healthy, with no underlying conditions or diseases, you don’t need to worry about the Coronavirus.

Fact: Researchers don’t have all the answers to questions associated with this strain of the Coronavirus yet. While most of the peoples who have died had underlying health problems, some people didn’t. Till now, no antiviral treatment exists to cure this strain of the Coronavirus, although supportive care does help.

Myth: If you get the novel Coronavirus, you die.

Fact: Almost all patients who have infected with this Coronavirus strain have survived.

Some more frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the novel Coronavirus.

Are hand dryers effective in killing the new Coronavirus?

No. Hand dryers are not much effective in killing the novel Coronavirus or the 2019-nCoV. To protect yourself against the Virus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with water or soap. Once your hands cleaned, you should try them thoroughly by using towels, papers, or a warm air dryer.

How capable are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new Coronavirus?

Thermal scanners are useful in detecting people who have developed fever or have a higher body temperature than usual because of infection with the novel Coronavirus.

However, they cannot detect individuals who are infected but are not yet sick with a fever. And it takes about 2 to 10 days before people who are affected become ill and develop a fever.

Can pets (like dogs and cats) at home spread the novel Coronavirus?

There is no evidence that pets or companion animals such as cats or dogs can be infected with the novel Coronavirus. But it will be best to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with animals. This protects you against several common bacteria such as Salmonella that can pass between pets and Humans.

Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help cure infection with the novel Coronavirus?

No. there is no clear evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected individuals with the new Coronavirus. There is specific limited evidence that periodically cleaning the nose with saline can help patients recover more quickly from the common cold. However, continuously rinsing the nose has not been shown to cure respiratory infections.

Does putting on sesame oil block the Coronavirus from entering the human body?

No, It does not kill the novel Coronavirus. Some chemical disinfectants can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces. These include chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvent, 75% ethanol, paracetamol acid, and Chloroform.

However, they have little or zero impact on the Virus if you put them on the skin or under the nose. And it can even be injurious to put such chemicals on your skin.