For Kids
The new coronavirus 2019 (COVID 2019) is an infectious agent that first appeared in Wuhan, China, late last year and has escalated into a pandemic, meaning it has spread rapidly to many countries and has many deaths to its credit.
What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus infection, and what are its clinical manifestations?
Symptoms: high fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In addition, muscle pain and fatigue may occur. In rare cases, the disease may be accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea.
In patients diagnosed with coronavirus infection, the mortality rate is 2 %, and the risk of serious diseases (respiratory failure, shock, multiple organ failure) is 5 %. In 80 % of patients, the disease can occur without oxygen deficiency and difficulty breathing. In addition, this infection can be detected in the absence of symptoms. The probability that a person who is diagnosed with a new coronavirus infection will infect you (a healthy person) and you will get sick is 1 %.
The incubation period (that is, the period of time from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first symptoms) is 5-14 days.
The treatment period for an infected person is from 2 to 6 weeks. The coronavirus can be transmitted to anyone. Fortunately, the risk of death in infected people is 2 %. This means that the coronavirus does not cause death in every infected person.
The cause of death is respiratory failure caused by serious lung damage. Therefore, the risk of mortality is higher in the elderly, in people with heart or lung diseases, in people with reduced immunity (people with transplanted organs, cancer patients).
What are the available treatments for coronavirus infection?
People who are diagnosed with coronavirus receive supportive treatment. There is no other treatment yet. In addition, the majority of patients with the disease is mild, and they fully recover.
Who is at risk for coronavirus infection?
People who have a cough, shortness of breath, and a high fever.
People who are in close contact with an infected or suspicious person.
People who have visited countries infected with coronavirus in the last 2 weeks (China, Japan, Iran, Italy, South Korea).
These are high-risk groups, and these people should see a doctor immediately.
On the other hand, any cough or the presence of a high temperature is not a sign of a coronavirus infection. Some upper respiratory tract infections, such as influenza, pneumonia, and sinusitis, can cause the same symptoms. You should contact your nearest doctor and undergo tests that your doctor will offer you for a differential diagnosis.
People who have visited dangerous countries or have been in close contact with an infected person have a higher risk of transmitting the virus. From the moment of infection with the virus and until the appearance of symptoms, a certain time passes, for 2 weeks there may be no symptoms. Similarly, an infected person may not have symptoms, but they may infect other people. In this case, there is a rapid infection of a large number of people.
Is there a vaccine for coronavirus?
In addition, the flu shot does not protect against the coronavirus.
How can the coronavirus spread?
Despite the fact that for the first time a new coronavirus appeared in wild animals and was transmitted to humans, now the main route of its spread is human-to-human transmission. It is spread by airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
As far as we know, it is not transmitted to humans from pets.
Can wearing a mask protect us from the virus?
The mask will not protect uninfected people. But you can protect yourself from other airborne diseases in this way.
Does cancer increase the risk of coronavirus infection?
Yes. Both cancer itself and cancer treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and related situations (COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nutrient deficiency) increase the risk of infection. In addition, if there is an infection, they can lead to a more serious disease. This also applies to coronavirus infection. In conclusion, it should be noted that if you have cancer, then the consequences of infection with the coronavirus can be more serious for you than for other people.
If you need to interrupt treatment for cancer because of the pandemic?
There is no scientifically proven reason to discontinue cancer treatment due to the coronavirus outbreak.
You should observe the mode of therapeutic nutrition and to continue the treatment of cancer in accordance with the prescriptions of your doctor.
How can cancer patients protect themselves from the coronavirus?
Cancer patients should follow all general precautions for coronavirus infection.
The coronavirus is spread by airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Thus, the best way to prevent the disease is hygiene.
The main point of protection against coronavirus is the hygiene of hands, food and the environment (air and surfaces), as in other epidemic or pandemic situations.
General precautions to protect against infection:
* Hand hygiene: Frequent and thorough hand washing (at least for 30 seconds, preferably for a minute) is the most important rule of hygiene. Hands should be washed with soap and plenty of water, and the back of the hands, between the fingers, and the inside of the nails should also be washed. Each person should have their own towel. Disposable towels are the best solution, and if you use a regular towel, it should be changed frequently.
In case of lack of soap or water, you can carry a spray with 80 degrees cologne or disinfectants with an alcohol content of at least 60 %.
Coronavirus and many other infectious agents infect people by getting airborne droplets from infected people on the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and eyes. Infected particles (droplets)can spread approximately within a radius of one meter from the patient. In addition, the infection can be on surfaces (for example, on door handles, elevator buttons, on a table, sink, on money, computer, etc.) in those places where people are sick. The virus can persist on these surfaces for approximately several days. You can get infected if you touch surfaces that are infected with infected people, and then touch your face (mouth, nose, and eyes). That’s why the most important prevention methods are: protecting yourself from infected people, washing your hands with soap and plenty of water (especially when returning home, before eating and after using the toilet), and cleaning with soap and water or detergents.
* If possible, do not touch your face, hands, or other people’s faces, and if necessary, wash your hands before and after.
* If you see someone coughing, sneezing, or having a runny nose or fever, try not to get within a meter of them. If you live in the same house with this person, try to spend as much time as possible in a separate room until this person recovers. Also observe hygiene in relation to such things as towels, food, forks, spoons, glasses, do not use these things together with anyone else.
* There is no evidence that the coronavirus is transmitted by pets (for example, dogs and cats). Therefore, in relation to pets, follow the general principles of hygiene. You should wash your hands after you have touched your pets.
* If you are infected, stay at home, use a mask to avoid infecting anyone else. When you cough and sneeze, use a tissue, and then wash your hands with soap and water.
* Try to take a sufficient amount of food in a hygienic environment. It is necessary to drink a lot of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables. If you want to eat something raw, you should put it in water with vinegar for half an hour, then clean it, and after all these procedures you can start eating.
* Should stay away from the crowds and from people who are coughing, and having a high temperature.
* Care should be taken to ensure that the sleep is sufficient and good.
* You should take care of the air in the room you are in, closed rooms should be ventilated every day.
* Avoid contact with infected people.
* Unless absolutely necessary, do not travel to countries with a high risk of infection.
* You should stay away from information pollution on the Internet or in the social environment and take into account the suggestions of doctors and other specialists.
* If you have a cough, shortness of breath or a high fever, you should immediately contact the nearest ambulance service and inform your doctor. Do not forget that symptoms can occur for various reasons, in addition to the coronavirus, and try to follow the recommendations of doctors as much as possible. Do not take antibiotics unless your doctor has prescribed them, and do not insist that your doctor prescribe them.