Coronaviruses are a common type of virus, symptoms of a coronavirus typically include fever, runny nose and a cough. Covid-19 is a strand of coronavirus that humans have never contracted before. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild similar to that of a cold or flu and most of those who have died appear to have had pre-existing health conditions. However, with the spread of Covid-19 more and more cases are indicating that the virus affects a wider range of the population with severe symptoms than originally thought.
Scientists are still assessing how this strand of coronavirus spreads from person to person, but similar viruses tend to spread via cough and sneeze droplets. This means that when someone who is infected with Covid-19 coughs or sneezes they release droplets. These droplets can either be inhaled directly by another person or transferred to another person via contact. This could be through any means of touch, then if the uninfected person touches their face the virus is then contracted. Alternatively, the virus is able to survive on surfaces such as handles, bannisters or ticket machines for an extended period of time. This means that the virus can be transferred through touching these surfaces and then touching your face.
This is why it is so important to consistently wash your hands, especially when you are travelling from place to place. This is also why it is so important to stay home and self isolate if you believe you have been in contact with someone who has symptoms or you are showing symptoms yourself to help prevent the spread of the virus.
According to the World Health Organisation, the most common symptoms are fever, tiredness and a dry cough. Some patients may also have a runny nose, sore throat, sinus congestion, aches and pains or diarrhoea. New evidence now indicates that a loss of smell and taste are also a symptom of this coronavirus however this is yet to be confirmed by the World Health Organisation.
The World Health Organisation also states that the best way to prevent and slow down spread is to be well informed about coronavirus, the symptoms it causes and how it spreads. They suggest you protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face.
It is also important to remember that while people of all ages can test positive for coronavirus, older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease) are more likely to become severely ill with the virus and are most at risk. Most people who become infected with the coronavirus will experience a mild case and will recover without requiring specialised treatment.
Good and consistent personal hygiene is the most effective way to limit the spread of Covid-19 as well as regularly cleaning and disinfecting your home. Below are a few everyday precautions you and your children can adopt to best avoid the contraction and spread of the disease.
If you think you might have coronavirus or you have been in close contact with someone who has it, stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital at the risk of spreading the disease and use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next. It is important that you and your family take all the necessary precautions you can to ensure the safety of your loved ones and well as preventing the spread of Covid-19.
The World Health Organisation has released posters advising ways you can talk to your children about coronavirus without scaring them. It is best to be open and honest with them about what is going on throughout the world, they would have heard something, whether that is through the news or having overheard you speaking about it. Allow your children to speak freely about what they think is going on and answer any questions they might have for you. It is ok to not know the answers to these questions, considering how rapidly information is changing every day. Your children may be scared, especially if they are getting their information from unreliable sources such as hearsay from friends, so allow your children to express these fears or confusions they have to you and reassure them that no matter what happens, you are there for them. And finally, end on a positive note, check that they are ok and find positive stories that are also coming out due to coronavirus. This could be about how the air pollution has dropped in areas due to people being in lockdown or about ways communities are coming together during this time to help those in need. You can also discuss with them different ways they could help make a difference to someone during this time. Impressing the importance of washing their hands for at least 20 seconds can be done in a fun and interactive way. This could be through making up a handwashing song that has actions or dance moves incorporated, or you could have a sticker chart to track how often they wash their hands throughout the day.
As it stands, the Government only recommends self-isolating if you feel as though you are showing symptoms of Covid-19. However, it is important to stay at home as much as you can during this time to help stem the spreading of the virus. Everyone with flu-like symptoms - defined as a fever of above 37.8C or a persistent cough - is being asked to stay at home for at least seven days.
Also, anyone who has been in close contact with an infected person, have already been asked to self-isolate for 14 days even if they do not have any symptoms to avoid continuing the spread of the virus. Close contact is being defined as spending 15 minutes within 2m or 6 feet of someone with the virus or with symptoms of the virus.
Self-isolation means cutting yourself off from the rest of the world. You need to stay at home, not go to work, school or other public places, and avoid public transport or taxis, says Public Health England. It is recommended that you self-isolate for at least 14 days if you have been in contact or live with someone who has symptoms.
If you live with someone it is advised to limit contact with others as much as possible. If you share a kitchen, try to use it when others are not, clean surfaces as you cook and take meals back to your room. You shouldn't share towels, toiletries or other household items with someone in isolation and they should have a separate bathroom. If that is not possible, the isolated person should use the bathroom last, cleaning it thoroughly afterwards if they are able.
Any rubbish that the isolated person has been in contact with should be double-bagged and kept. If the person tests positive, you will be told what to do with their waste.
Workers will get statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth, to help contain coronavirus, the prime minister has said. Many casual or agency workers may also be entitled to sick pay but self-employed people are not. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, speak to your employer.
