Coronavirus symptoms: What are they and how do I protect myself?
Coronavirus has spread to 169 countries or territories,
including the UK, and claimed more than 9,700 lives.
So, what is the disease, how does it spread and when are
people most infectious?
How do I protect myself?
The best thing is regular
and thorough hand washing, preferably with soap and water.
Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small
droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or
cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, then your eyes,
nose or mouth.
So, coughing and sneezing into tissues, not touching your
face with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with infected people are
important for limiting the spread.
Face
masks do not provide effective protection, according to medical
experts.
What are the coronavirus symptoms?
Coronavirus infects the lungs. The symptoms start with a
fever followed by a dry cough, which can lead to breathing problems.
This is a new, continuous cough and means coughing a lot for
more than an hour, or having three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if
you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
It takes five days on average to
start showing the
symptoms, scientists have said, but some people will get symptoms much later than this. In fact the World Health Organization (WHO) says the incubation period lasts up to 14 days.
symptoms, scientists have said, but some people will get symptoms much later than this. In fact the World Health Organization (WHO) says the incubation period lasts up to 14 days.
How deadly is coronavirus?
The proportion of deaths from the disease appears low (between
1% and 2%) - but the figures are unreliable.
Thousands are being treated but may go on to die - so the
death rate could be higher. But it may also be lower if lots of mild cases are
unreported.
- 6%
become critically ill - lung failure, septic shock, organ failure and risk
of death
- 14%
develop severe symptoms - difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
- 80%
develop mild symptoms - fever and cough and some may have pneumonia
Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions
(such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely
to become severely ill. The data from China also suggests that men are at a slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.
Treatment relies on keeping the patient's body going,
including breathing support, until their immune system can fight off the virus.
Work to develop a vaccine is underway.
- How close are we to a
coronavirus vaccine?
- A visual guide to the
outbreak
- Coronavirus:
Your questions answered
What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?
Patients with mild symptoms - such as a new continuous cough
or a high temperature above 37.8C should self-isolate
at home for at least seven days, according to the latest advice issued by
Public Health England.
People are being advised not to ring NHS 111 to
report their symptoms unless they are worried. They should also not go to their
GP, or A&E.
Details for Scotland are to check NHS inform, then
ring your GP in office hours or 111 out-of-hours. In Wales call NHS 111, and
in Northern Ireland, call
your GP.
If you have come into contact with somebody who maybe
infected, you may be
told to self-isolate. Advice for people who have
traveled back to the UK from affected areas and who may need to
self-isolate has been issued.
Other countries have introduced their own measures For
example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people
showing symptoms to call their healthcare provider and those who
are mildly ill to self-isolate.
The World
Health Organization has also issued advice for the public.
Who gets tested and how does it work?
In its latest advice, Public Health England (PHE) has said
those who
are self-isolating with mild symptoms will not be tested.
However, all hospital patients
with flu-like symptoms will be tested.
If you need testing in the UK results may be available on
the same day, but you may be asked to stay at home and self-isolate. while
you wait.
How fast is it spreading?
Hundreds of new cases are being reported worldwide each day.
However, it is thought health agencies may be unaware of many cases.
After starting in China, coronavirus is now spreading fast
in many other countries.
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