WHAT IS COVID-19?

It is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus.  Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get sick very quickly.  Example: fever, coughing, a sore throat and shortness of breath.  Other symptoms can include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint aches, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene can prevent infection.

It was a newly identified virus and previously known as a novel coronavirus (nCov-2019). It was first identified in Hubei Province, China, and has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concerns by the World Health Organisation. (WHO).

The National Academy of Sciences of USA, Peter Forster, a fellow in archaeological research at Cambridge, said he found three main strains of the virus, labelled as A, B and C. The A and C types are found in significant proportions outside East Asia, that is, in Europeans and Americans. In contrast, the B type is the most common type in East Asia. The A strain was the founding variant because it was the version most similar to the type of SARS-Cov-2 discovered in bats, but it wasn’t the predominant type in Wuhan, according to his research.

Of 23 samples that came from Wuhan, only three were type A, the rest were type B, a version two mutations from A. So A was the predominant strain, the research said. The A type has largely phased out, and the B type has become the predominant version. The C strain, which mainly appeared in Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong and in some parts of Europe, has also largely died out.

Research found that the coronavirus may have been circulating among humans and animals earlier than previously believed, based on an analysis of mutation rate. There is a 95% chance that the original successful spread of virus may have started as early as Sept 13th 2019.  Covid-19 was first reported in Wuhan in December.

Started 6th March 2020, approximately 98,370 confirmed cases, 3,383 deaths have been reported.  The majority of cases have been identified in mainland China, however there are  increasing cases in other countries such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Australia & yet to know after those has travelled overseas under incubation period of 14 days.

SYMPTOMS & TRANSMISSION:

Reported symptoms include fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath & breathing difficulties.  Recent information on the transmission of the virus suggest that cases may be infections up to 24 hours before the onset symptoms, until at least 24 hours after symptoms resolve.

The WHO have confirmed that the main driver transmission is from symptomatic patients through coughing and sneezing.  Transmission by people with symptoms is possible, but likely to be rare.

DO NOT PANIC, STAY CALM, PROTECT, BUILD, HYGIENE

The COVID-19 outbreak -most people who became infected experience mild illness & recover but it can be more severe for others.  Take care of your Health and Protect others by doing the following.

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or Rub or wash them with soap and water.

WHY? Washing your hands with soap and water or using Alcohol based hand sanitizer rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

WHY? When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contains virus, if you are to close. You can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

AVOID TOUCHING EYES, NOSE & MOUTH

WHY? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses.  Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to eyes, nose, or mouth.  From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

PRACTISE RESPIRATORY HYGIENE

Make sure you and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when cough or sneeze.  Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

WHY? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu & Covid-19.

If you have Fever, Cough and Difficult Breathing, Seek Medical care early.

Stay Home, if you feel unwell, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing , headache, slight running nose, seek medical attention and call in advance as will allow  your healthcare provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility.

This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Stay informed and follow advice, given by the healthcare provider. Stay informed on the latest development about Covid-19.

Follow advice given by HealthCare provider, your national & local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and other from Covid-19.

WHY? National and local authorities will have the most update information on whether Covid-19 is spreading in your area.  They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

TO SUMMARISE ALL INTO YOUR BRAIN PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM GETTING SICK.

• Wash hands often using soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.  Dry with paper towel or hand Dryer.
• Buy an alcohol base hand sanitizer with over, 60 percent alcohol.
• After coughing or sneezing .
• When caring for the sick.
• Before, during and after your preparation of food.
• Before eating.
• After toilet use.
• When hands are visibly dirty.
• After handling animals or animal waste.
• Cover mouth & nose when sneezing or coughing with flexed elbow or tissue.
• Throw tissue into closed bin immediately after use
• Avoid close contact when experiencing cough and fever.
• Avoid spitting in public.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
• If you choose to wear face mask, be sure to cover mouth and nose  avoid touching mask once its on.
• Discard single use mask in tight bins and wash hands after removing.
• Wash clothes that has been worn outside. Do not leave it unwashed.
• Isolate yourself at home if you feel sick.  If you take medication, ensure you have adequate supplies.
• Phone gp first if you need medical attention. They will tell you what to do.
• Continue healthy habits: exercise, drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep and now is the time to quit smoking.
• Don’t wear face mask if you are well.
• Shaking hands (is optional).

NB: Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are more at risk of experiencing severe symptoms.

Make a plan for how you will manage and make sure stay in touch with family, friends and others in case you need help.

NB: LAST BUT NOT LIST, KEEP YOUR IMMUNE STRONG BY EATING HEALTHILY, MAKE SURE ENOUGH SLEEP AND EXERCISE.

Dr Mecherl Lim

An Intuitive Medical Practitioner in Alternative Medicine (MD) (MA), Naturopath (ND),

Holistic Kinesiology (HK), and Functional Medicine (FM)

Visit : http://www.drmecherlherbs.com

Email : drmecherherbs@gmail.com

FACEBOOK : drmecherlherbs for further enquiries.

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