HISTORY
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available.
SYMPTOMS
People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of corona virus disease (COVID-19) are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
PREVENTION
There
is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus
or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around
36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The
most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by
frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing
them with soap and water.
To
date there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new
coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. The new coronavirus is a
respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated
when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva
or discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands
frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and
water. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and
sneezing.
No.
Hand dryers are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To protect
yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your
hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using
paper towels or a warm air dryer.
Thermal
scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever
(i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection
with the new coronavirus.
However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
People
of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older
people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma,
diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming
severely ill with the virus.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available.
SYMPTOMS
People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most common symptoms of corona virus disease (COVID-19) are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
People may experience:
- cough
- fever
- tiredness
- difficulty breathing (severe cases)
PREVENTION
You can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others if you:
Do
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze
Avoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell
Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell
Don't
Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean
TREATMENT
If you have mild symptoms, stay at home until you’ve recovered. You can relieve your symptoms if you:
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- drink plenty of liquids
- use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough
Medical treatments
If
you develop a fever, cough, and have difficulty breathing, promptly
seek medical care. Call in advance and tell your health provider of any
recent travel or recent contact with travelers.
From the
evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with
hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you
live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to
protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By
doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection
that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Myth busters
COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
The new coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.
Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?
How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus?
However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.
Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
