Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the new coronavirus (2019 nCoV) by the Cyprus Pediatric Society
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 3:06 pm
1. What is the new coronavirus?
It is a new virus that appeared in the city of Wuhan, China in 2019. It belongs to the family of coronaviruses. Although in the same family of coronaviruses there are widespread viruses that cause a "common cold", that is, a completely innocent condition, this virus, as well as the related virus, SARS that appeared in 2002, usually cause a more severe clinical picture in patients.
This new coronavirus was recently given the name SARS-CoV-2, to emphasize that it is related to the SARS virus which also caused serious problems. The virus was named COVID-19 from the original CO rona VI rus D isease that appeared in 20 19 .
2 . How dangerous is this virus?
Like other respiratory infections, this new coronavirus can cause mild respiratory symptoms such as nasal runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever. However, some people may develop a more severe picture and may cause pneumonia or difficulty breathing so that the patient may need to be hospitalized. Rarely can it cause death. People who are most vulnerable to the virus and are more likely to be seriously ill are the elderly as well as people with underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease.
3. How is the virus transmitted?
Epidemiological data to date indicate that the virus is transmitted by the respiratory tract secretions produced during sneezing, coughing or exhaling. It is very important that anyone who coughs or sneezes should cover his face with a paper towel which will then be thrown into the trash can and immediately wash his hands. Frequent hand washing with soap and water is very important. If the hands are not visibly soiled with secretions or other organic matter one can also wash their hands with a 70% alcohol solution.
4. How long does the virus survive on surfaces?
This is not yet fully known. There are some preliminary data indicating that the virus can live for a few hours or longer. The virus is easily destroyed with the usual antiseptics.
5. What is the incubation time?
The incubation time (ie the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms) is currently estimated at two to 14 days.
6. Can the virus be transmitted by a person who, although ill, has no symptoms?
We now know that the virus can be transmitted at a time when the patient has symptoms of the disease. However, there are some gaps in our knowledge that even patients with very mild or even no symptoms can also transmit the disease.
7. Can I get the disease from my pet?
No. So far there is no scientific evidence for this.
8. Is it safe to receive a package I ordered from China?
Yes, it's safe. People who receive packages from China are at no risk of sticking to the new coronavirus. From previous experience with other coronaviruses, we know that these viruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.
9. Can I prevent the disease by using antibiotics?
No, antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Antibiotics work against germs. This particular pathogen is a virus and therefore antibiotics have absolutely no effect.
10. I'm going to travel to an area that has an increased incidence. How can I prevent the disease?
When traveling to an area with a disease incidence and transmitting to a community such as China (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/areas-pre ... -2019-ncov ) You should take the following measures to protect you:
a. Avoid close contact with people who are particularly ill with respiratory symptoms, e.g. cough
b. Avoid visiting markets where dead or live animals are sold
c. Follow strict personal hygiene and food hygiene rules
d. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol solution before eating, after using the toilet and after contact with animals.
e. Avoid contact with animals, their secretions or faeces.
11. What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus disease?
From the information we have today, the virus can cause mild flu-like symptoms such as:
Fever
Cough
Dyspnoea
Pain in the muscles and joints
Feeling tired
In more severe cases they may develop severe pneumonia, severe respiratory distress syndrome, image of septic shock which can even lead to death of the patient.
12. Are there people who are more likely to develop serious illness?
In general, older people as well as people with underlying chronic diseases (eg hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, liver diseases and chronic respiratory diseases) are more likely to develop serious disease.
13. Is there a specific cure for the new coronavirus disease?
There is no specific cure for the virus. The treatment offered is supportive (respiratory support, fluid or even antiviral medications, if needed, but not yet confirmed by antiviral action).
14. What is the current risk for those residing in European Union countries?
At this stage a small number of cases have been diagnosed in some European countries. Some of them were imported (that is, they got the disease abroad, usually in China) and some other cases came from the transmission of the disease within European countries.
But at this stage there are very few incidents.
The risk of a European country currently living with the virus without moving from its country is estimated by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) (risk assessment 16 February 2020) as low .
The risk of someone traveling to China's areas infected with the virus is estimated to be moderate to high .
The text was based on recent corresponding editions of the World Health Organization, the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) and the American Center for Disease Control (CDC). The text was edited by Dr. Maria Koliou, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Cyprus School of Medicine.
https://cyma.eu/2017/index.php/2016-06- ... o-koronoio
It is a new virus that appeared in the city of Wuhan, China in 2019. It belongs to the family of coronaviruses. Although in the same family of coronaviruses there are widespread viruses that cause a "common cold", that is, a completely innocent condition, this virus, as well as the related virus, SARS that appeared in 2002, usually cause a more severe clinical picture in patients.
This new coronavirus was recently given the name SARS-CoV-2, to emphasize that it is related to the SARS virus which also caused serious problems. The virus was named COVID-19 from the original CO rona VI rus D isease that appeared in 20 19 .
2 . How dangerous is this virus?
Like other respiratory infections, this new coronavirus can cause mild respiratory symptoms such as nasal runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever. However, some people may develop a more severe picture and may cause pneumonia or difficulty breathing so that the patient may need to be hospitalized. Rarely can it cause death. People who are most vulnerable to the virus and are more likely to be seriously ill are the elderly as well as people with underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease.
3. How is the virus transmitted?
Epidemiological data to date indicate that the virus is transmitted by the respiratory tract secretions produced during sneezing, coughing or exhaling. It is very important that anyone who coughs or sneezes should cover his face with a paper towel which will then be thrown into the trash can and immediately wash his hands. Frequent hand washing with soap and water is very important. If the hands are not visibly soiled with secretions or other organic matter one can also wash their hands with a 70% alcohol solution.
4. How long does the virus survive on surfaces?
This is not yet fully known. There are some preliminary data indicating that the virus can live for a few hours or longer. The virus is easily destroyed with the usual antiseptics.
5. What is the incubation time?
The incubation time (ie the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms) is currently estimated at two to 14 days.
6. Can the virus be transmitted by a person who, although ill, has no symptoms?
We now know that the virus can be transmitted at a time when the patient has symptoms of the disease. However, there are some gaps in our knowledge that even patients with very mild or even no symptoms can also transmit the disease.
7. Can I get the disease from my pet?
No. So far there is no scientific evidence for this.
8. Is it safe to receive a package I ordered from China?
Yes, it's safe. People who receive packages from China are at no risk of sticking to the new coronavirus. From previous experience with other coronaviruses, we know that these viruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.
9. Can I prevent the disease by using antibiotics?
No, antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Antibiotics work against germs. This particular pathogen is a virus and therefore antibiotics have absolutely no effect.
10. I'm going to travel to an area that has an increased incidence. How can I prevent the disease?
When traveling to an area with a disease incidence and transmitting to a community such as China (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/areas-pre ... -2019-ncov ) You should take the following measures to protect you:
a. Avoid close contact with people who are particularly ill with respiratory symptoms, e.g. cough
b. Avoid visiting markets where dead or live animals are sold
c. Follow strict personal hygiene and food hygiene rules
d. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol solution before eating, after using the toilet and after contact with animals.
e. Avoid contact with animals, their secretions or faeces.
11. What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus disease?
From the information we have today, the virus can cause mild flu-like symptoms such as:
Fever
Cough
Dyspnoea
Pain in the muscles and joints
Feeling tired
In more severe cases they may develop severe pneumonia, severe respiratory distress syndrome, image of septic shock which can even lead to death of the patient.
12. Are there people who are more likely to develop serious illness?
In general, older people as well as people with underlying chronic diseases (eg hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, liver diseases and chronic respiratory diseases) are more likely to develop serious disease.
13. Is there a specific cure for the new coronavirus disease?
There is no specific cure for the virus. The treatment offered is supportive (respiratory support, fluid or even antiviral medications, if needed, but not yet confirmed by antiviral action).
14. What is the current risk for those residing in European Union countries?
At this stage a small number of cases have been diagnosed in some European countries. Some of them were imported (that is, they got the disease abroad, usually in China) and some other cases came from the transmission of the disease within European countries.
But at this stage there are very few incidents.
The risk of a European country currently living with the virus without moving from its country is estimated by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) (risk assessment 16 February 2020) as low .
The risk of someone traveling to China's areas infected with the virus is estimated to be moderate to high .
The text was based on recent corresponding editions of the World Health Organization, the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) and the American Center for Disease Control (CDC). The text was edited by Dr. Maria Koliou, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Cyprus School of Medicine.
https://cyma.eu/2017/index.php/2016-06- ... o-koronoio