The outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19, the viral disease causing severe respiratory problems, has led to a global crisis to the point of being classified as a pandemic, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

What started as an unknown virus in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, has now spread to 114 countries across all continents, infecting more than 115,000 people and claiming the lives of 4,000 victims.

For this reason, it is essential to understand what the coronavirus COVID-19 is and what hygiene measures to take from home or office to prevent contagion. Below, we will briefly explain it.

What is the Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a type of virus that causes various respiratory illnesses ranging from a simple cold to more concerning conditions such as pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Unlike other viruses, COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person before they show symptoms; therefore, it is extremely complicated to diagnose it in time. Furthermore, as it is a new strain, research on its nature is still being developed.

The main symptoms caused by Coronavirus COVID-19 are:

• Cough.
• Fatigue.
• Sore throat and headache.
• Fever.
• Chills and body aches.
• Difficulty breathing.

Prevention Measures

It is important to note that, for the moment, there is no specific treatment to cure COVID-19; thus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is necessary to take the following prevention measures whether at home or in the office.

• Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or with soap and water frequently.
• When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth with your forearm and not with your hands. If you use a tissue to cover yourself, throw it away immediately in the trash.
• Keep at least one meter away from other people, especially if they cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean the surfaces of furniture with a disinfecting wipe from time to time.

According to information provided by the organization Sharecare in collaboration with Dr. Mehmet Oz, a professor of surgery at Columbia University, unlike the common cold, people suffering from COVID-19 present fever, fatigue, and dry cough to a greater extent than headaches, chills, and sore throat. Similarly, sneezing and nasal congestion occur to a lesser extent, as you can see in the following infographic.

 

If you identify any symptoms, see your doctor immediately to review your case.

In addition to being extremely disciplined with these hygiene measures, we recommend following a healthy diet that includes foods rich in vitamin C to boost your defenses and better protect yourself against any respiratory disease.