Business News Day – Corona viruses are a large group of viruses that cause various types of diseases. Starting from coughs and colds to more severe diseases. Currently, a new type of corona virus is becoming a global pandemic. This virus is named 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or known as Covid-19. Covid-19 infection was first reported in Wuhan on December 31, 2019. This virus can be transmitted between humans. Until now, researchers around the world continue to work together to explore information related to this new virus, track the spread of infection, and provide the latest information related to preventing the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Signs and Symptoms of the Corona Virus (Covid-19)
Symptoms of coronavirus infection vary, from a mild flu to pneumonia or pneumonia. Complaints can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Complaints improve easily in some patients. But some other patients can experience rapid worsening of symptoms.
1. Common Symptoms
Symptoms of a COVID-19 infection can include:
- Impaired sense of smell (anosmia) and taste
- Increased body temperature aka fever
- Shiver
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Hard to breathe
- Muscle ache
- Fatigue
2. Less common corona virus symptoms
There are also a series of other complaints that are less common and indicate a corona virus infection. Some of these include:
- Disorders of the skin, for example itchy bumps and watery nodules like chicken pox
- Nauseous
- Gag
- Diarrhea
Recently, news emerged that a purplish rash on the toes was experienced by some Covid-19 sufferers. But this symptom, cannot be confirmed as a typical sign of corona virus infection. Please keep in mind that not everyone will experience the same symptoms. You may have shortness of breath and fever, but without nausea or vomiting. Therefore, it is necessary to seek covid testing in chicago or wherever you are for a full medical diagnosis to detect whether you are really infected with the coronavirus or not. Coronavirus infection can be life-threatening if it causes complications. For example, pneumonia, respiratory failure, or septic shock. While death is more prone to occur in elderly patients (elderly) and people who have a weak immune system.
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Corona Virus Transmission Process
The main transmission of Covid-19 is through tiny droplets (droplets) that come out of the human respiratory tract. These droplets are sprayed when the sufferer coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplets containing the virus can then enter the mouth or nose of other people in the vicinity accidentally by:
- Inhaled directly into the lungs
- Droplets land on the hands or surfaces of objects around the patient, then another person touches the hands, objects, or surfaces, then touches their own eyes, nose, or mouth
How to Treat the Corona Virus (Covid-19)
Because the cause is a virus, Covid-19 is an infection that can heal on its own. Treatment is carried out with the aim of relieving symptoms and preventing complications. Until now, medical experts are still conducting research and development to find ways to treat corona. Even so, doctors will generally recommend a series of efforts to relieve Covid-19 symptoms that can still be handled at home. Some of these independent steps include:
- Self-isolate at home by implementing health protocols.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Taking fever and sore throat relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol. However, please note that aspirin should not be given to people under 19 years of age.
- Take a warm bath or use a humidifier to reduce sore throat.
Patients are also advised to always wear a mask even when they are at home. This step is very effective in preventing transmission. Meanwhile, patients with severe symptoms must undergo treatment at health facilities, especially Covid-19 referral hospitals. They will receive supportive therapy, such as a ventilator (breathing aid). In some patients who require hospitalization, the doctor will give the following drugs until the test results prove negative:
- Symptomatic therapy according to symptoms
- Empirical antibiotics, namely macrolide antibiotics (azithromycin 1×500 mg for 5-7 days) or fluroquinolone group (levofloxacin 1×750 mg for 7 days)
- Antiviral drugs
- High dose vitamin C for 14 days
- Chloroquine phosphate in patients with severe symptoms
- Hepatoprotectors (liver protective drugs) if the SGOT and SGPT test results are found to have increased
- Other drugs according to comorbidities
How to Prevent Corona Virus (Covid-19)
Until now, the Covid-19 vaccine has not been found. Therefore, the best way to prevent this disease is to avoid exposure to the virus.
1. Steps to Prevent Covid-19 in General
Some of the efforts to prevent the transmission of the corona virus that you can do include:
- Maintain distance (physical distancing)
The distance referred to here is physical distance, namely maintaining physical distance or physical distancing. Communicating is absolutely not forbidden, but don’t do it by meeting or face to face. To keep communication smooth, you can do this through technology such as the internet. For example, video calls with relatives or friends. With this, social relations are maintained.
- Increase endurance
Strengthening the immune system can be done with simple steps. For example, eating lots of vegetables and fruit, exercising regularly at home, and cleaning the house regularly. For those of you who are used to exercising outside the home or at the gym, it’s time for you to look for alternatives to physical exercise at home. For example, push ups, yoga, weight lifting, and more.
- Wash your hands more often
Use clean running water and soap. Wash your hands thoroughly, for at least 20-30 seconds. This step is included in the clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS) which is easy to implement. If you have to because water and soap are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Do not often touch the eye, nose and mouth area
These parts of the face have mucous membranes that can be an entry point for viruses when you accidentally touch them with contaminated hands.
- Avoid close contact with infected patients
If there are people around you who have a corona virus infection, prevent too frequent direct contact with the sufferer. As much as possible, wear protection to be safe. For example, masks.
- Do not travel to countries with outbreaks
Postpone your travel plans to China or areas known to be the location of the Covid-19 outbreak.
- Using a mask
To prevent transmission from the air and avoid inhalation of saliva splashes from sufferers, wear a mask.
- Avoid contact with wild animals
Because the corona virus is zoonotic or can be transmitted through wild animals (such as bats and snakes), avoid contact with wild animals as much as possible. Don’t forget to wash your hands immediately with soap and clean running water after touching animals, including your pets.
- Cook food until it’s fully cooked
The corona virus will die at temperatures above 56ºC, so always cook your food until it is fully cooked. also make sure you wash food ingredients with clean water before processing.
- Receiving the Covid-19 vaccine
The implementation of Covid-19 vaccination is being promoted globally, including Indonesia. The government has brought millions of Covid-19 vaccines for its citizens.
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2. Steps to Prevent Covid-19 for ODP and PDP
Meanwhile, for people who have been suspected of contracting the corona virus, you are advised to:
- Self-isolating
Immediately after receiving treatment, you should live separately from the people of the house. Including husband, wife, children, and parents. If this is not possible, isolate yourself in a separate room at home. For example, using your own bedroom or toilet. Isolation measures are aimed at preventing transmission and assisting in your recovery, and should be followed for a minimum of 14 days.
- Not accepting visiting guests
If a friend or relative wants to see you, politely decline their good intentions. With this, the risk of their transmission will also not increase.
- Use your own eating and drinking utensils
Do not lend each other eating and drinking utensils so that there is no transmission.
- Wearing a mask
This step is taken to prevent transmission to people around you.
- Apply sneezing, coughing, and spit-up etiquette
Use a tissue when coughing and sneezing, then direct the tissue into the trash can outside the house. Remember, don’t pile up tissues in the room. You are also not recommended to litter. Dump your spit in the toilet, then rinse with water. Alternatively, you can spit it out on a tissue. Then immediately throw the tissue in a closed trash can.
- Observing the development of symptoms
If your symptoms get worse, call your local hospital or health service for pick-up. If possible, you can also directly visit a health facility that has been designated as a referral hospital. In some cases, the symptoms of Covid-19 can worsen and lead to complications. Therefore, prompt medical treatment is needed.