The coronavirus, which originated in China and quickly spread worldwide, causes symptoms such as high fever, respiratory distress, fatigue, loss of appetite, body aches, and pneumonitis. It spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and breathing, but currently has no specific vaccine or targeted treatment. To reduce the risk of infection, general precautions are essential. The disease can be particularly severe in people over 65 and those with underlying conditions like lung disease, diabetes, or cancer.
It’s important to remember that the coronavirus can survive on surfaces for hours to days, depending on the material. Regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces like door handles, keyboards, and mobile phones can significantly reduce transmission risk.
If someone comes to the hospital, how are they treated?
Patients should remain in their current environment and be handled with minimal contact. Both the patient and healthcare personnel must wear surgical masks, which should be worn whenever entering or leaving the room. In addition to masks, staff must also use protective gowns, hair coverings, and gloves. Contact and droplet isolation procedures are applied, since current information suggests the virus spreads via droplets within about one meter.
The infection control team will be notified, and the Provincial Directorate of Health will be contacted immediately. Nasal and throat swabs are collected and sent to a reference center for testing. Continuous monitoring of patients is essential to detect early complications such as pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome, which are serious consequences of coronavirus infection.
How to diagnose?
If a patient has severe acute respiratory illness or respiratory infection (such as fever and coughing that require hospitalization) and has either been in close contact with a confirmed coronavirus case in the past 14 days or recently traveled to China, they should be evaluated as a potential case. Appropriate samples should be collected, the Provincial Directorate of Health must be notified for confirmation, and the patient should be transferred to a reference hospital for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Is there a medication?
Vaccine research is ongoing, but there is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus. Care is focused on supportive treatments to relieve symptoms and help patients recover.
How is the disease transmitted?
Coronavirus is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, laughs, or talks, tiny droplets can land on the mucous membranes (such as the eyes, nose, or mouth) of nearby healthy individuals, leading to infection. Typically, the virus spreads through close contact, defined as being within one meter of an infected person.
To protect from these kinds of viruses:
- Strengthen your immune system by maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly.
- Stay well-hydrated to keep your upper respiratory tract moist; dry mucous membranes make it easier for viruses to enter the body.
- Practice good hand hygiene. Respiratory droplets can contaminate surfaces like tables and chairs. If you touch contaminated surfaces and then touch your mouth, eyes, or nose, you can infect yourself. Avoid touching these surfaces, and always wash your hands thoroughly if you do.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Try to avoid crowded places and gatherings, especially during outbreaks.
- Masks can help prevent you from spreading germs to others, but standard masks may not fully protect you from viruses. Do not rely solely on masks”always follow other preventive measures as well.
- Avoid traveling to high-risk areas or countries until the epidemic is under control.
* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
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