Alarming reports of the novel coronavirus 2019 nCoV originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan are still coming from the world. Governments in many countries are urging citizens not to underestimate suspicious symptoms or delay seeing a doctor if they are seriously concerned.
The 2019-nCoV virus, the epidemic of which broke out in China in Wuhan at the end of 2019 (November-December), belongs to the so-called coronaviruses, which probably originate from animals or seafood. Previously known coronaviruses have caused diseases such as severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (Sars) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers). However, the listed viruses could be easily cured, and the percentage of deaths did not exceed 5% per year. The new coronavirus that has broken out in China is a much greater danger.
Symptoms
The Wuhan virus primarily causes pneumonia. People who got sick suffered from a severe and dry cough, fever, and difficulty breathing (dyspnea). In severe cases, other organs may fail. Since this is a viral pneumonia, antibiotics are not used here. Antiviral drugs used to treat influenza also do not work. Antiviral drugs cannot even slow down the infection.
What are the chances of recovery?
If admitted to a hospital, an infected person will be treated for symptoms associated with damage to the lungs and other organs. The course of treatment and recovery depends on individual characteristics and the state of the body's immune system. The media has repeatedly emphasized that people who died from the new virus had weak immunity.
Is the 2019-nCoV virus transmitted from person to person?
Most likely, the coronavirus can be infected by droplets from animals and humans.
This means that the virus is likely to spread to people when they come into contact with the secretions of an infected person or an infected animal. The number of confirmed infections with the novel coronavirus has more than tripled in 14 Chinese provinces.
The virus has also been confirmed outside of China, mainly in Asian countries, but has also reached the US and France. Cases of the Wuhan coronavirus have also been reported in countries such as Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Portugal and Finland. It is likely that the virus is spreading quickly, so there is a possibility of infection in every country. In particular, it is noted that the virus is transmitted through tourists who come from China. Therefore, in almost every city, tourists undergo special control for the detection of the virus.
Who is susceptible to infection?
It is noted that deaths were observed in people with weakened immunity. First of all, the virus affects young children, as well as the elderly and pregnant women. An ordinary, average person should not worry too much, because a strong and healthy body will be able to resist the virus on its own.
When should you worry and see a doctor?
If you have not traveled to China or had contact with a person infected with the virus in recent months, you should not worry about coughing or other cold symptoms and should treat them as usual. You do not need to see a doctor for a normal cough unless it is a persistent cough or other symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or feeling unwell. If direct symptoms are found, antiviral drugs should be tried. If the drugs do not help within two days (even if the temperature has not decreased), you should immediately seek help from specialists. However, do not worry, because the likelihood of getting sick with coronavirus is extremely small.
Should we panic?
Panic is definitely not needed or justified at this time. The spread of the virus outside of China is a concern, but it has been known to happen. So far, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared a global epidemic, which means the virus is not spreading dangerously quickly and intensely.
The advent of the vaccine
According to the latest information, a vaccine has been found, but so far it has not been used on humans.
If the vaccine found can defeat the symptoms of coronovirus, then this will happen at least in a month. If the discovered vaccine fails to defeat the virus, then scientists will continue to search further. According to the scientists themselves, the vaccine should be expected by the summer.
Such forecasts, of course, are not encouraging, as the number of deaths is growing exponentially. Situation today
To date, more than 30 thousand infected people have been registered.
By the way, in recent years the number of infected has increased by 20%. Also, to date, more than 600 deaths have been recorded, but more than a thousand people were able to recover from a terrible disease. Such forecasts may not bode well, as the number of infected people is growing rapidly.
And what about in Russia?What to do?
Do not panic: until what is happening is a pandemic or epidemic. WHO did not declare what is happening as an epidemic - just a global emergency.
Cancel your trip to China (especially if you are an aged person and in poor health).
If you have been to Wuhan in the past two weeks and become ill, avoid contact with people and call a doctor (by phone in advance that you were in Wuhan).
Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
It is impossible to get infected through fruits and Chinese goods, but any fruits and vegetables, in order not to get sick with other viruses, must be washed. If you still have to go to China, to Hubei Province:
Avoid contact with sick (coughing, sneezing, blowing nose) people.
Avoid contact with wild and domestic animals, do not go to markets, and do not eat raw meat and milk.
Don't buy wild animals
In our country, at the time of publication, no infected people were detected. Anna Popova, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, said that more than 1.3 million people were tested for coronavirus infection - these are those who arrived in Russia by land and air flights. Of these, 100 people were examined, each was diagnosed: someone - SARS, someone - influenza viruses, parainfluenza and other viruses.
The mass hospitalization of Chinese tourists from one of the Moscow hotels, the news about which was actively dispersed in social networks, was associated with increased security measures, but in the end, seven tourists were diagnosed with SARS, all of them are in satisfactory condition.
The hospitalization of five Chinese students at Baikal State University (BGU) with suspected coronavirus infection also ended with the news that they all have seasonal influenza A virus.
Rospotrebnadzor has taken the usual security measures - enhanced control of the passage of "persons arriving from disadvantaged regions using stationary and portable thermal imaging equipment" to the state border, and also issued a recommendation to refrain from visiting China.
The largest tour operators in our country have stopped selling tours to China. In addition, by law, any citizen of our country has the right to refuse a paid tour if there is a threat to his life or health in the country he was going to visit. The money for the trip should be returned to him.
We wish you good health!
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