🔹What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause disease in animals. Seven, including the new virus, have made the jump to humans but most just cause common cold-like symptoms.
🔹What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus?
According to the NHS and the WHO, symptoms of the Wuhan coronavirus usually include:
Feeling tired
Difficulty breathing
A high temperature
A cough and/or sore throat
These symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases, including flu and the common cold. So if you have symptoms consider the following:
🔹When should I seek medical help?
If you have travelled to Wuhan City in China (or another significantly affected area) in the last two weeks, or have been in contact with someone who has and feel unwell, call NHS 111 for advice now.
Do NOT go straight to a doctor's surgery or hospital as, if you have the virus, you risk spreading it to others.
The NHS is asking anyone returning from Wuhan to "self-quarantine" themselves for two weeks, that is stay away from work and other busy places and take care interacting with others.
🔹how can I protect myself?
Hand hygiene is the first and most important line of defence.
Like cold and flu bugs, the new virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.
It follows that the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitising gel.
Also try to avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands – something we all do unconsciously on average about 15 times an hour.
Other tips include:
Carry a hand sanitiser with you to make frequent cleaning of hands easy
Always wash your hands before you eat
Be especially careful in busy airports and other public transport systems about touching things and then touching your face
Carry disposable tissues with you, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue carefully (catch it, bin it, kill it)
Do not share snacks from packets or bowls that others are dipping their fingers into
Avoid shaking hands or cheek kissing if you suspect viruses are circulating
Regularly clean, not just your hands, but commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle
🔹How can I protect my family, especially children?
Children are a major vector for the spread of droplet-based viruses because they interact physically so much with each other and are not the best at keeping themselves clean.
However, you can greatly lower the risk that children pose of spreading or catching viruses by:
Explaining to them how germs spread and the importance of good hand and face hygiene
Keeping household surfaces clean, especially kitchens, bathrooms and door handles
Using clean cloths to wipe surfaces, so you don't transfer germs from one surface to another
Giving everyone their own towel and making sure they know not to share toothbrushes etc
Keep your home dry and airy (bugs thrive in musty environments)