prevention of covid-19-Coronavirus.
The outbreak of Coronavirus or the COVID-19 has now been declared as a pandemic by the WHO (World health organisation).
Coronavirus has claimed many lives in past few months and it has been spreading to many countries and have affected thousands of people around the world.
Main question troubling everyone nowadays and rightly so is, how to prevent covid-19 or coronavirus?
what is the prevention of covid-19 or prevention of coronavirus?
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“Prevention of covid-19 coronavirus is always better than cure”
- As the WHO have mentioned that corona virus “is a controllable pandemic”, which means if we put little effort we can prevent the disease from spreading and affecting us or people around us.
- This virus spreads in the air in the form of small droplets. When the infected person sneezes of coughs he sprays the laden droplets into the air.
- When a normal individual comes in contact with these droplets he will get infected by the virus.
- During sneezing and coughing these droplets will get sprayed at a distance approximately 1 meter and then will settle down on the ground or any surface within 1 meter distance of the infected person. Therefore it is advice to maintain minimum 1metre distance from person who is sick or coughing or sneezing.
- When a normal individual comes in contact with any surface or object contaminated by the virus, this virus will get transferred onto the persons hands, when this person touches his eyes, nose or mouth without washing the hands he unknowingly introduces this virus into his own body.
- Another possible way of spread of this virus is through excreta. When a normal person uses a toilet previously used by an infected person the virus present on the toilet seat which can transmit the disease
How to prevent COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS from spreading?
1) Frequent hand washing:
- Even when the hands appear clean they might have microorganisms on then which are not visible through naked eyes.
- As our hands touch a lot of places, places which might be contaminated by the virus and then we touch ourselves or if we handles the food there is a chance of getting infected. It is also seen that if we touch any other surface with our contaminated hands we will end up transmitting the virus from one place to another.
- Therefore it is foremost important to wash our hands to keep yourself and others safe.
- Proper way to wash your hands:
- Wash your hands Regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.
- When soap is not available clean your hands with hands with an alcohol-based hand rub.
- It is very important to do so because Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub will kill the viruses which may be present on your hands.
2) Social distancing
- Try to maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance from people who are coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid going to crowded places such as stadiums, cinema halls, malls, social gatherings etc. this is because as there are lots of people the social distancing is not possible which increases the chances of spread of infection.
3) Refrain from touching your
- Our hands contains millions of microorganisms which are not visible to our eyes, if we touch our mouth, nose and eyes without washing our hands the virus will enter our body and make us sick.
- Wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub before touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
4) Cover your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing.
- Always cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue or a handkerchief when you cough or sneeze.
- Dispose of the tissue or put the handkerchief for washing after use and immediately wash your hands thoroughly.
5) Seek medical help if you feel very sick.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell.
- If you are having symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty in breathing these may be the symptoms of COVID-19, call for medical help, or visit your health care provider but do not forget to wear a mask and cover your face while coughing or sneezing.
6) Avoid touching things and surfaces unnecessarily when you are out of your house.
7) Refrain from handshakes, you can great people by waving your hand, or bowing or by joining your hands saying Namaste.
8) Avoid unnecessary visits to any crowded places like markets, hospitals, parties etc.
9) You may even clean the door knobs, handles, railings of stairs, etc with disinfectants.
10) Stay updated on the latest news about the coronavirus and also educate the people around you to undertake the preventive measures.
There have been many queries regarding the use of the mask.
1) Who should use a mask?
- IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND THE HOSPITAL STAFF TO WEAR A MASK.
- Mask should not be used by healthy individual who do not have any signs or symptoms of any kind.
People who should wear a mask apart from the healthcare provider are:
- People who are sick and has cough, fever.
- Such patients are adviced to wear a medical three layered mask to prevent the spread of the disease.
- People who are taking care of the sick individual to prevent themselves from getting infected.
- People who are going to visit any health care facility.
- People who are close family member of a individual who is a suspect or a confirmed case undergoing home care should also wear a three layer mask.
2) How to use a mask?
- Wash your hands with soap and water before putting the mask.
- There are different types of masks available the mask which is widely available is the flat pleated mask of woven fabric. While wearing the mask unfold the pleats and make sure the pleats are facing downwards.
- Place the mask over the face in such a way that it should cover the nose, mouth and should extend to the chin.
- Press the small metal strip present at the top end of the mask to secure it over the nasal bridge.
- Now tie the mask with the help of the strings provided on the mask, the two upper strings should be taken from above the ears and tied on the top of the head and the lower strings are to be tied at the back of the neck.
- There should be no gaps on either sides of the mask.
- Avoid touching the mask again and again.
- Do not let the mask get wet. If the mask gets wet replace it immediately.
- Replace the mask every 6-8hrs.
- Do not reuse the disposable masks.
- Discard the mask safely into a closed bin.
- Take care while removing the mask. Do not touch the front of the mask, remove the mask by holding the strings of the mask.
NOTE: apart from the flat pleated mask of woven fabric other types of masks are the conical shaped or duck bill shaped masks available with or without valve. Masks with strings or masks with straps or elastic fastener.