What is Coronavirus - Tips & How To Protect Yourself From Coronavirus
World Health Organization (WHO) describes Coronavirus or viruses as a group of viruses that cause diseases in most higher animals and birds. In humans, coronavirus causes conditions such as severe and sometimes mild respiratory infections, common cold, and fever.
However, rare forms such as MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) and the Novel Coronavirus that causes the current outbreak can be noxious and life-threatening.
According to the World Health Organization[I], Coronaviruses (CoV) are zoonotic, this means that they’re mostly transmitted from person to person and between animals. Other detailed investigations show that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans.
There are several known coronaviruses in circulation in animals that have not yet infected humans.
What's 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new strain of coronaviruses which was diagnosed through an investigation into an epidemic in Wuhan City, China. It is important to be aware that the spread of the virus can change. Although viruses are so, some viruses are highly infectious.
Tests are ongoing to understand other attributes related to 2019-nCoV, seriousness, and transmissibility, however, there are signs that spread is currently happening [ii] in some countries and parts of the world.
What Are The Symptoms of Coronavirus
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), patients with confirmed 2019-nCoV have reported moderate to severe respiratory disorders with symptoms like:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
CDC believes that symptoms of 2019-nCoV might develop in two days or as long as 14 days following exposure. This can be based on what's been seen since MERS viruses' phase. [iii]
Learn How Coronavirus is Spread
75% of known reported Wuhan Virus (coronavirus) cases are said to have occurred through Person to Person transmission, and also, through the below shortlisted listed channels:
- The air from sneezing and coughing
- Close contact, such as shaking or touching hands
- Touching the surface of a contaminated item or an item itself before washing your hands and touching your nose, mouth, or eyes
- Infrequent, fecal contamination
It's still unclear how easily 2019-nCoV is currently spreading between individuals. There's far more to find out regarding the transmissibility, severity and other attributes of 2019-nCoV, but thorough investigations are ongoing.
How To Protect Yourself From the Dreaded Coronavirus (Wuhan Virus)
The very best precautionary step is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The CDC suggests simple and concise measures that will help in day to day prevention of the disease for persons and their families.
Some of these mandatory tips include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with bar soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
As with all diseases, personal hygiene truly plays a vital role in preventing coronavirus. The public health suggests that individuals should report to the nearest health facility should they detect or notice any indicative symptoms of the Coronavirus.
And it is advised that you call the office of your healthcare provider and inform them about your symptoms and your journey so far. This will enable them to provide you directions about the best way to deal with it without exposing it to other people.
Can Dettol kill the Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)?
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV) is a new strain of coronavirus. It is not yet available for commercial testing.
Specific Dettol products have demonstrated effectiveness (>99.9% inactivation) against coronavirus strains from the same family as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in third party laboratory testing when used in accordance with the directions for use. These products include:
Dettol Disinfectant Surface Spray
The CDC and World Health Organization specifically advises people to wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a key preventative measure against the spread Coronavirus 2019-nCoV. A good quality disinfectant will help reduce risk to families. Our Dettol Hand Sanitizers have ethanol (alcohol) as the germ disinfectant active ingredient in line with CDC and WHO recommendations.
Please refer to the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/, and/or the WHO website at https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus for additional information.
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