SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS, WHAT TO DO IF YOU DEVELOP THEM AND ALL ABOUT MASKS

IN MY PREVIOUS BLOG I TALKED ABOUT THE PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO KEEP THE CORONAVIRUS AT BAY. THROUGH MY TODAY'S BLOG I WILL TRY TO MAKE YOU ALL AWARE ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASES , AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND SUCH SYMPTOMS ARISING ALONG WITH SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASKS ONE SHOULD WEAR.
In such times is important that we get just the right and adequate information to avoid spread of rumours and panic, thus, i have made an effort to make the information as precise and authentic as possible.

1.  SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS V/S SYMPTOMS OF SEASONAL FLU

COVID-19:-
-fever
-dry cough(coughing blood)
-shortness of breath or breathing problems
-incubation period:14 DAYS
-complications: acute pneumonia,respiratory failure,organ failure.
-treatment: no vaccination, symptomatic treatment available
SEASONAL FLU:-
-fever
-dry cough
-headache
-runny nose
-fatigue
-incubation period:4 DAYS
-complications: acute pneumonia
-treatment: can be easily treated

⭐NOTE:- DO NOT PANIC IF YOU HAVE A STUFFY/RUNNY NOSE OR ARE SNEEZING, YOU MOST LIKELY DO NOT HAVE CORONAVIRUS.BUT CONSULT WITH A DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATIONS.

              If you have a travel history abroad and are experiencing the above listed symptoms only then you would be asked to get quarantined (I have listed the governmental helpline numbers down at the end of the blog). However owing to the season change, many people might develop a seasonal flu, but do not panic. In fact children in the age group of 0-19 are less affected than adults. The elderly and those with underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, etc. are at a higher risk. Thus it is important we take the necessary precautions and self quarantine ourself. 

2. WHO NEEDS TO WEAR A MASK?

ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINES GENERATED BY THE WHO,
(i) For healthy people, wear a mask only if you are taking care of a person with suspected COVID-19 infection.
(ii) Wear a mask if you are sneezing or coughing. 
(iii) If  you are travelling out then you should wear a mask as you may come into contact with an infected person.

3. WHICH MASKS TO BUY? 

PERTAINING TO THE MEDICAL ADVICE,
(i) For general public who are not in the isolation ward or in  direct contact with infected people, it is advisable to wear a surgical mask.

(ii) For medicos who are engaged in taking care and treatment of patients, it is advisable to wear an N95 RESPIRATOR MASK.

4.HOW TO USE AND DISPOSE OF THE MASKS?

(i) BEFORE TOUCHING THE MASK, clean your hands with an alcohol based hand-rub or soap and water.
(ii)THE MASK SHOULD COVER YOUR MOUTH and nose. make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
(iii) AVOID TOUCHING THE MASK while using it.
(iv) REPLACE THE MASK with a new one as soon as it is damp.
(v) SURGICAL MASKS CAN BE worn only one time while N95 respirators can be worn upto five times.
(vi) REMOVE THE MASK FROM BEHIND. Avoid touching the front of the mask.
(vii) DISCARD IT IMMEDIATELY in a closed bin.

             It is extremely essential that we limit our interactions with people as much as possible and self quarantine ourself to reduce the spread of CORONAVIRUS.
In these difficult and uncertain times, we need to come together but not physically(of course!). We need to unite our thinking and stay at home. We need to follow the protocols to stay safe and educate our grandparents and others as well.

HERE ARE THE HELPLINES BUT ONLY THOSE OF INDIA [ I did get the helpline numbers of USA and other countries but as its authenticity was not certified i am not posting them. If you know a reliable source to access the helplines for the same, don't hesitate from mentioning it in the comments below.]

★MAHARASHTRA: 020-26127394
★IN CASE OF SYMPTOMS OR OTHER DOUBTS, CALL: 104 OR +91 1123978046 OR 
★EMAIL TO ncov2019@gmail.com
★FOR ANY PATIENT ON TRAIN CALL, 182.

  Be safe and eat healthy and don't forget to follow my page(right there on top, next to search) so you can get the information as soon as it is out. Let us spread this information so it can help many more people.

#beawaredontgetscared

  REFERENCES:- World Health Organization: WHOwww.who.int