What is corona virus??
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.
Corona virus is a zoonosis, meaning that it is transmitted between animals and humans. According to investigations that have been carried out, SARS-CoV is transmitted from civet cats or better known as weasels to humans and MERS-CoV from camels to humans. However, some Corona viruses are also known to circulate in animals that have not previously infected humans.
The first case was found in Wuhan City in China. After investigation, the virus originated from wild animals and fish markets, which have now been closed due to the outbreak of the case. This virus is thought to be transmitted through direct contact between humans and animals, or perhaps from air that is full of bacteria .
Patients who have been exposed to the virus have symptoms of fever, shortness of breath, and coughing. This virus can also cause pneumonia or pneumonia, an infection that attacks the lungs and can cause the lungs to fill with fluid or pus. Older people are more susceptible to contracting this virus than young people.After this virus spread in December last year, this virus has spread to more than hundreds of people in China. Similar cases have also been found in the United States, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.Beberapa efek dari virus korona menyebabkan demam biasa, yang lain juga bisa menjadi penyakit parah dan menyebabkan masalah pernapasan, radang paru-paru dan bahkan kematian.
Misalnya, pada tahun 2002 dan 2003, virus korona agresif yang disebut SARS-CoV menyebar di 30 negara. For example, in 2002 and 2003, an aggressive corona virus called SARS-CoV spread in 30 countries. In various parts of the world, more than 8,000 people contracted the virus, around 1,000 people died. In 2012, the Middle East corona virus that attacks the respiratory tract (MERS-CoV) was discovered in the Arabian Peninsula.
If an outbreak of the virus is announced as an international emergency health threat, this could lead to international travel restrictions, tight security at the border, and the procurement of special handling centers or quarantine facilities.
As is commonly recommended, measures to maintain health and always be careful, including maintaining contact with people with respiratory infections, or contact with farm animals, living or dead, must always be considered. Try washing your hands when you're out traveling.Until now, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet issued a travel ban for the city of Wuhan in China.
Some steps that can be taken to prevent Corona virus infection, including:
1. Wash your hands properly
Washing your hands properly is the simplest but effective way to prevent the spread of the 2019-nCoV virus. Wash your hands with running water and soap, for at least 20 seconds. Make sure all parts of the hand are washed thoroughly, including the back of the hand, wrist, between the fingers, and nails. After that, dry your hands using a tissue, clean towel, or hand dryer.
If you are a commuter worker on public transportation, it will be difficult to find water and soap. You can clean your hands with a hand sanitizer. Use hand sanitizer products with an alcohol content of at least 60% to be more effective at disinfecting germs.
Wash your hands regularly, especially before and after eating, after using the toilet, after touching animals, taking out the trash, and after coughing or sneezing. Washing hands is also important before breastfeeding a baby or expressing milk.
2. Using a mask
There are two types of masks that you can use to prevent Corona virus transmission, namely surgical masks and N95 masks.
Surgical masks or surgical masks are disposable masks that are commonly used. This mask is easy to find, the price is affordable, and comfortable to wear, so many people use this mask when they are on their daily activities.
The correct way to use a surgical mask is that the colored side of the mask should face outward, while the white inner side faces the face and covers the chin, nose and mouth. The white side is made of material that can absorb dirt and filter germs from the air.
Although not entirely effective in preventing exposure to germs, the use of these masks can still reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases, including Corona virus infections. The use of masks is recommended for people who are sick to prevent the spread of viruses and germs, rather than in healthy people.
While the N95 mask is a type of mask designed specifically to filter out harmful particles in the air. This type of mask is actually more recommended to prevent Corona virus infection. However, this mask is not comfortable to wear everyday and the price is relatively expensive.
When removing the mask from the face, both the surgical mask and the N95 mask, avoid touching the front of the mask, because that part is full of germs attached. After removing the mask, wash your hands with soap or hand sanitizer, so that the hands are clean from germs that stick.
3. Maintain endurance
A strong immune system can prevent various diseases. To maintain and increase endurance, you are advised to eat healthy foods, such as vegetables and fruits, and protein foods, such as eggs, fish, and lean meat. If necessary, you also increase the consumption of supplements as directed by your doctor.
In addition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, not smoking, and not consuming alcoholic beverages can also increase endurance to avoid transmission of the Corona virus.
4. Don't go to an infected country
Not only China, Corona virus infection has now also spread to several other countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, the United States, and Europe. The Corona virus has also been confirmed to be found in neighboring Indonesia, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
To avoid contracting this virus, you are advised not to travel to places that already have cases of Corona virus infection or have the potential to become a coronavirus site.
5. Avoid contact with animals that have the potential to transmit coronavirus
The new type of coronavirus is thought to originate from bats and is spread by several mammals and reptiles. Therefore, avoid contact with these animals
If you want to eat meat or fish, make sure the meat or fish has been washed and cooked until completely cooked. Avoid eating meat or fish that are not fresh or rotten.
If you experience flu symptoms, such as coughing, fever, and colds, which are accompanied by weakness and shortness of breath, especially if in the last 2 weeks you have traveled to China or other countries that already have Corona virus infection cases, immediately ask your doctor to be able to ascertained the cause and given the right treatment