Covid 19 – Living with the Invisible Enemy

/in /by
TYPICAL SYMPTOMS
COVID-19 typically causes flu-like symptoms including a fever and cough.
In some patients – particularly the elderly and others with other chronic health conditions – these symptoms can develop into pneumonia, with chest tightness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
It seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough.

After a week, it can lead to shortness of breath, with about 20% of patients requiring hospital treatment.

Notably, the COVID-19 infection rarely seems to cause a runny nose, sneezing, or sore throat (these symptoms have been observed in only about 5% of patients). Sore throat, sneezing, and stuffy nose are most often signs of a cold.

(The World Health Organization (WHO) found that nasal congestion occurs in only 4.8% of patients and runny nose in almost no one. Some people, usually with additional medical complications, can develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.
What are the emergency warning signs and symptoms of COVID-19?
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately.Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Per China – 80.9% of infections are mild (with flu-like symptoms) and can recover at home.
  • 13.8% are severe, developing severe diseases including pneumonia and shortness of breath.
  • 4.7% as critical and can include: respiratory failure, septic shock, and multi-organ failure.
  • in about 2% of reported cases the virus is fatal.
  • Risk of death increases the older you are.
  • Relatively few cases are seen among children.
Pre-existing illnesses that put patients at higher risk:
  1. cardiovascular disease
  2. diabetes
  3. chronic respiratory disease
  4. hypertension
That said, some otherwise healthy people do seem to develop a severe form of pneumonia after being infected by the virus.

The reason for this is being investigated as we try to learn more about this new virus.

NYC.GOV

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/coronavirus.page  

TEXAS

Daily Map
— Spain https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/spain/
— France worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/italy/
— Germany https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/germany/

— UK https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/  

CDC – USA https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
NHI – USA
Johns Hopkins Unversity https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html 
AIRLINES – Cancellation policies https://www.azurom.com/post/list-of-airlines-and-their-cancellations-policies?
Travel restrictions IATA iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm
Prevention of COVID-19
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID‑19.
The best way to prevent infection is to take steps to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the steps you take to avoid the flu.
DSHS recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of any respiratory virus, including COVID‑19:
  • Wash hands often for 20 seconds and encourage others to do the same.
  • If no soap and water are available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

DSHS also recommends that you practice social distancing. Social distancing involves staying away from other people to avoid catching or spreading illness. It’s a fancy term for avoiding crowds and minimizing physical contact. This could mean avoiding concerts or weddings, skipping the handshake, and/or staying at least six feet (in Europe they say 2 meters) away from others.

Please note that many – maybe even most – people who carry Corona virus do NOT know they have it. They have zero symptons.

For that reason it would be best if everyone wears some type of protective mask outside (scarf, cloth etc) that covers your mouth and nose.   
You may carry the virus – unknowingly. That is IN ADDITION to social distancing.
Wear gloves if possible. Wash hands immediately when you come back to your house, take off your shoes, etc

See the CDC website for more information on what you can do at home to prevent the spread of COVID‑19: