The Novel Coronavirus – All You Need To Know
I'm not sure if you've noticed but I am not a doctor. I play one on the radio sometimes but trust me there is no MD in my title. Fear is based on the unknown and with all the Coronavirus talk I figured this is a good time to share some facts from a very straight forward article I found on cnn. Here is a quick glance at all you need to know about the latest international health scare.
What are the symptoms?
Fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and trouble breathing are some of the most common symptoms of the novel coronavirus. "It can be more severe for some persons and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties," the World Health Organization says. "More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes and heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus."
How can you protect yourself?
In general, the public should do "what you do every cold and flu season," said Dr. John Wiesman, the health secretary in Washington state -- where the first US case of Wuhan coronavirus was confirmed. That includes washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
The World Health Organization recommends staying at least 3 feet (or 1 meter) away from anyone who may be infected. If you're the one feeling sick, cover your entire mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. But don't use your hands. Use either your bent elbow or a tissue that you throw away immediately afterward.
While the CDC does not recommend N95 respirator masks for the general public, it does recommend them for health care workers.
Is there a cure for novel coronavirus?
No. While many patients have recovered from their symptoms, there is no known cure.
But the first US study of a drug to treat novel coronavirus in humans is underway at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
That clinical trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the antiviral drug remdesivir in adults diagnosed with coronavirus, the US National Institutes of Health said.
What about a vaccine?
Scientists are working on a vaccine, but don't expect it anytime soon.
Separately, scientists in Texas, New York and China are also trying to create a vaccine, said Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccine scientist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
But the challenge is daunting, Hotez said.
"The lesson we've learned is coronavirus infections are serious and one of the newest and biggest global health threats."
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