Coronavirus symptoms can be mild or very severe and include fever, cough and shortness of breath: how to protect yourself to avoid contagion.
Coronavirus is a virus called the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus is known as the cause of a disease outbreak that began in China in 2019. COVID-19, also the name of this virus, is still family with common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
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Coronavirus: the symptoms and how to protect yourself
You must know the symptoms to protect yourself. The COVID-19 symptoms can be very mild to severe and include a fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Some people have no symptoms. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure. The virus itself spread by respiratory droplets when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes. To avoid yourself infected of Coronavirus you need:
- Avoid large events and mass gatherings.
- Avoid close contact (about 6 feet) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
- Keep distance between yourself and others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren’t clean.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch on a daily basis.
Who also recommends these steps:
- Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or animal organs.
- If you’re visiting live markets in areas that have recently had new Coronavirus cases, avoid contact with live animals and surfaces they may have touched.
- If you have a chronic medical conditionand may have a higher risk of serious illness, check with your doctor about other ways to protect yourself.
Then if you have symptoms, you’ve been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, you can follow these steps:
- Stay home from work, school and public areas if you’re sick, unless you’re going to get medical care.
- Avoid taking public transportation if you’re sick.
- Stay isolated in a separate room from family and pets when possible. Wear a mask around other people if you’re ill.
- Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you’re sick.
- Use a separate bathroom from family if possible.
- Stay home for a period of time and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
- You may need to be treated in the hospital if you’re very ill.
