Everything You Need To Know About Covid19 and How to Protect Yourself from the Disease

COVID19 is an infectious disease caused by the broad spectrum virus called the coronavirus. The new viral strain that first emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 has now infected more than 3 million and killed over 220,000 people worldwide. In the absence of an elusive cure, scientists are in a constant battle with an enemy that shows no sign of retreating. In the light of such circumstances, it is important to create awareness and promote the best guidelines for prevention of the disease. With this in mind, EXTAM feels it necessary to give its users an update on how to prevent and protect yourself from COVID19.

WHAT IS THE CORONAVIRUS, HOW DOES IT CAUSE COVID19

The coronavirus is an RNA animal virus that usually infects animals. However due to unnatural circumstances, some strains of the virus can go zootopic. This means the virus mutates itself to cause an infection in humans with transmission abilities that can spread to pandemic proportions. Till date there has been seven such mutated strains among which the deadliest have been SARS-CoV-1, MERS and now SARS-CoV 2 that causes the infectious disease COVID19.

WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF COVID19?

While the entire genome sequencing of the new coronavirus is complete, the animal origins of the disease are still a matter of debate. Research studies have concluded the consensual theory of bats being the most likely culprits and the Pangolin as the intermediate host of SARS-CoV2. The geographical origins of COVID 19 are a wet market in Wuhan, Hubei China from where the disease spread acrossthe country in early December. By spring, the virus had spread across the world and is now a pandemic of epic proportions making the earlier strains pale in comparison.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID19?

According to research and the CDC (US center for disease and prevention), there are major primary symptoms of COVID 19. What is worrying however is the constant emerging of new symptoms proving COVID 19 a far more serious threat to humans that earlier perceived.

MAIN SYMPTOMS OF COVID

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Possible runny nose
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Headache
• Chills and shivering
• Body aches and muscle pain

NEW SYMPTOMS

• Digestive issues
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of taste and smell
• New research has also found toe lesions to be a possible symptom of those who are covid19 positive although this is still a new development.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face
• Consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that may be severe and a cause for concern

WHO IS AT RISK OF THE CORONAVIRUS?

As per the World Health Organization, people of all age groups are at risk of the contracting COVID19.The organization advises all people to exercise precautions by abiding by the steps necessary for prevention of the disease. The main risk factors are given below

• Those who may have travelled to and from countries with a high prevalence of the disease may be carrying symptoms of the disease. If you have just returned from an overseas country, submit yourself to your government’s protocols of testing travellers for containment of the disease.
• Those in contact with COVID19 positive patients
• Those with any underlying disease
• Those with lung/heart conditions, diabetes
• Those with compromised or low immunity

HOW DOES THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD?

• The virus spreads mainly from person-to-person.
• Between people in close contact with one another (about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced by the talking, coughing or sneezing of an infected person.
• Recent research has also found that it is possible for COVID-19 to spread by people who are asymptomatic or not showing symptoms
• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

HOW TO PREVENT CORONAVIRUS?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).According to the guidelines of all major health bodies, the best way to prevent the coronavirus is by the following.

• Avoid being exposed to this virus, touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash your hands: Your hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Do this especially after visiting public places, or after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. If you don’t have soap and water, a good alcohol based hand sanitizers will do.
• Keep a 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Avoid smoking and other activities that compromise your immunity
• Avoid travelling for the containment period
• Cover your mouth and nose with a face mask. Even homemade face masks will do when you travel out in public for shopping for essentials. Cloth masks should be avoided in children below 2, and those with breathing issues. A cloth mask is meant to protect others in case you are infected
• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect your home. Clean all surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, taps, and surfaces that are prone to use by multiple people daily. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. The best disinfectants are EPA registered household disinfectants. You can refer to this article:How to Kill All Germs and Make Your Home Coronavirus Free according To Cleaning Experts
• Wash raw produce well before cutting and cooking

SOCIAL DISTANCING

The most important factor in the fight against the coronavirus is social distancing. When you venture out in public, maintain a safe distance of at least 1 meter or 6 feet away from others who may be asymptomatic carriers of the disease. THE CLOTH FACE COVER IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING.

Abiding by health guidelines and instructions of respective governments is the best way to defeat the virus. Several countries are in a state of lockdown which is for the mutual benefit and greater good of all across the world. You can use this period by setting your business affairs in order and using automated business management applications like EXTAM that provides you additional features of being an incredible expense manager too.EXTAM helps in fighting COVID19 by using distance bookings of expenses and encouraging businesses to operate online simply by using your smartphone.