The new coronavirus and its consequences continue to spread throughout Brazil.
As so many fake news circulate in social media, we decided to address the main questions around the virus:
What it is:
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large virus family known since the mid-1960 whose newest member is SARS-VOC-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease. This family includes members such as MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) e SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) viruses that cause respiratory infections of variable severity, from common cold to fatal pneumonia. This family is made up of viruses that spillover from animals to humans. A few of these viruses infected humans and caused other epidemics.
Symptoms:
Coronavirus signs and symptoms are mainly respiratory, flu-like. People with the COVID-19 disease might have little or even no symptoms. However, the most common symptoms are dry or wet cough, fever above 38°C, body ache, runny nose, and sore throat. More severe symptoms include, but are not limited to, shortness of breath. Patients can also have diarrhea and nose blockage. Most infected people will develop mild illness. Severe cases affect mainly the elderly (60+) and those with base conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions, or chronic bronchitis, for example. This happens because the viral overload from the new infection might decompensate the base condition, resulting in its aggravation.
Transmission:
In general, the virus is mainly transmitted through “close contact” between people. It might be air-borne (sneezing, cough, and speech), transmitted by contact (kisses, handshakes or hugs) and contaminated surfaces (cell phones, doorknobs, handrails, hand support in public transportation) followed by contact with mouth, nose or eyes.
Prevention:
Maintaining hygiene by cleaning surfaces and objects with alcohol, avoiding close contacts (keeping physical distance of at least 1 meter), avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including under your fingernails, covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of it or, when no tissues are available, using the inner part of your elbow, avoiding going out in case you have any symptoms, and wearing a face mask. Keep rooms well ventilated and avoid agglomerations, particularly if you are ill.
It is worth stressing that respiratory infections tend to spread easily to and are more dangerous for the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, and immunocompromised individuals.
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for the coronavirus disease. The most indicated measures are resting, drinking clear liquid beverages, using pain and fever medication. There are no vaccines, antiviral or other specific treatments available
It is crucial to seek medical care to establish the diagnosis and start treatment as soon as the first symptoms develop, as well as in case of suspicion for COVID-19 due to a travel history to countries with sustained transmission or areas with local transmission, or if you have had close contact with symptomatic individuals.
In Biologix, we decided to work 100% from home. The company introduced this preventive measure due to its responsibility toward its employees and as a precaution, taking into account the spread of Covid-19. It will remain in force indefinitely. In case there is a professional need to leave home during this period, private/individual means of transportation will be used. Biologix understands its own social responsibility in atypical situations such as this one. Nothing is more important for us than our clients’ and employees’ safety and security!
It is important to keep in mind the advice from WHO and the Brazilian Ministry of Health and protect ourselves and our families from coronavirus.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this blog aims at assisting you in your education and is not intended to be construed in any manner as medical advice. Only physicians and dentists can diagnose diseases and prescribe treatments and medication. Thank you for visiting our website.
