16 misconceptions about the 2019-nCoV coronavirus that could cost you your life
Educational Program Health / / December 30, 2020
First, let's understand the terms. 2019 ‑ nCoV is the tentative name for the coronavirus. Today it is officially called SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2. And the disease that causes this SARS is namedNaming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it COVID-2019 ("coronavirus disease - 2019").
Here is a list of myths about how the virus spreads and what to do to avoid infection.
1. Coronavirus has a low mortality rate
Indeed, the mortality rate reported by experts seems to be low.
Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), January 29, 2020Mortality from the new coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV) is about 2%World Health Organization (WHO).
A lot or not 2% - question controversial. But it is unambiguously clear that this is at least an order of magnitude higher than mortality from influenza, with which they like to compare COVID-2019. According to statisticsDisease Burden of Influenza US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average mortality of seasonal flu is no more than 0.13% in the most "influenza" years. 2% is 15 times more.
And that is not all. The mortality rate reported by WHO officials is likely inaccurate. It is calculated by dividing the number of deaths by the total number of cases on a given date. Suppose on February 20, the number of confirmed cases was 2,000 and the number of deaths was 40. Divide 40 by 2,000 - we get 0.02, or the same 2%.
The problem is that SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 has a long incubation period, on average 14 (up to 27Coronavirus incubation could be as long as 27 days, Chinese provincial government says) days after infection. And the duration of the disease itself is long. So, the average time gap between the onset of the first symptoms and hospitalization is 10.5 days.Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China.
So February 20 die people who became infected not on the same day, but much earlier - in early February. But at the beginning of February, the number of cases was only, for example, 400 people. And in this case, the lethality jumps up sharply: we divide 40 by 400, we get already 10%.
Conclusion: it will be possible to accurately determine the mortality of COVID-2019 only after the epidemic ends and the total number of cases and deaths becomes clear. Earlier estimates are a kind of tea-leaf guessing.
2. Coronavirus is no more dangerous than flu
This conclusion is often made on the basis of the fact that many people have COVID-2019 proceeding like a common ARVI, and some do not even suffer it at all. But “for many” does not mean “for all”.
China does not provide full information, but it is already clear that the new disease lasts much longer than the flu, and often it is so difficult that the victims have to be hospitalized in intensive care units. The number of seriously ill patients in need of resuscitation reaches 32%Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China of the total number of those infected.
In general, you should be very careful about COVID-2019. "Such as flu"Is just a soothing illusion.
3. Only elderly people with poor health become victims of coronavirus
In fact, people of absolutely all ages get sick, including children and young people.
According to the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly halfThe Epidemiological Characteristics of an Outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-2019) - China, 2020 of those who have been diagnosed with COVID-2019 are less than 49 years old.
4. To get sick, it is enough to be in the same room with the infected
SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 appliesHow COVID-19 Spreads to respiratory viruses. This means that it is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets - that is, by inhaling droplets that are discharged from the patient's nose or mouth when sneezing and cough.
This infection cannot be spread by air over long distances. This is due to the fact that the drops in which it is enclosed are rather heavy.WHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptions and settle quickly.
Therefore, you can only get infected by close contact - being at a distance of up to 2 metersHow COVID-19 Spreads with the infected. It is relatively safe to fly in the same plane, ride in the same subway car, work in the same office or walk along the same street with a sick person. Unless you get close to it.
5. The virus cannot be transmitted through objects
No. You can become infected with the coronavirus if you touch the surface on which it has settled, and then scratch your lips, nose with the same unwashed hand, eye - in general, launch the virus on the mucous membranes.
This method of infection is more rareWHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptionsthan airborne droplets. However, he is also dangerous.
Paper banknotes and coins are especially dangerous, as they are constantly transferred from hand to hand. That is why the Chinese authorities even introduced strict requirements银行收到现金消毒后才能投放、央行已向武汉紧急调拨新钞40亿……权威发布! to disinfect money. Banks are required to process them using ultraviolet radiation or high temperatures, and then seal the disinfected currency in a dry place for up to 14 days.
But postal parcels, for example from AliExpress, are considered safe today.
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- Is it possible to get coronavirus from a parcel from AliExpress
In short: most of the close "relatives" of SARS-CoV-2 known to science, once on surfaces (paper, metal, glass, plastic), die in a period from several days to several hours. How long can keep alive Wuhan coronavirus is still unknown. But the estimated maximum period is no more than 9 daysPersistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Shipping from AliExpress usually takes longer.
6. The virus spreads only through the air and through objects
Not only. Most likely, SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 can also be transmitted with fecal matter, including through sewers. Scientists have suggested the possibility of such a pathway for the spread of coronavirusLatest Study Suggests The New Coronavirus Is Also Spreading Via Feces after some patients showed not only respiratory, but also gastrointestinal symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea.
So you should be even more careful when touching the door handles in public restrooms than on any other surface. And it is imperative to wash your hands after visiting the restrooms.
7. Mosquitoes can carry the new coronavirus
The transmission routes of SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 are not yet well understood, and scientists were wrong once.FAQ about them (when at the start of the whole story it was assumed that this type of coronavirus is not transmitted from person to person).
However, there is currently no evidence that infection can be carried by insects.
8. You can get coronavirus from pets
There is no evidence of this either. However, WHO recommendsWHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptions nevertheless, wash your hands with warm water and soap after contact with animals. This should protect against bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
9. Breathing cold air can help you recover
According toWHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptions WHO, inhaling cold air won't help.
The body temperature of a healthy person is kept within the range of 36.5–37 ° С regardless of the ambient temperature. This is enough for the virus to continue multiplying in the body.
10. Garlic May Boost Immunity And Protect Against Coronavirus
According to some reports, garlic really improves immunity and reduces riskPreventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey get sick with ARVI. However, there is no scientific evidence that the vegetable protects against COVID-2019.WHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptions.
11. Quartzing and spraying liquids with alcohol and chlorine destroys the virus
It's debatableWHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptions. In some cases, such measures will not only not help, but also harm. For example, UV sterilization of hands can cause skin erythema (irritation). Spraying alcohol and chlorine-containing liquids can harm clothes and respiratory organs.
However, alcohol and bleach can be effective disinfectants for surfaces - they can be used to wipe door handles, dishes, and common items. Observing, of course, safety rules.
12. In order not to get sick, you need to rinse your nose
There is currently no scientific evidence that rinsing the nose with saline regularly protects against SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2WHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptions. Although perform this procedure to prevent common ARVI - a good idea.
13. To protect yourself from coronavirus, you need to take antiviral drugs
It is far from the fact that they will help. There are no medications for the prevention and treatment of COVID-2019 yet.
14. Pneumonia vaccine may protect against coronavirus complications
At first glance, the idea of using drugs against pneumonia seems to be a good one, because SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 attacks the lungs. Nevertheless, WHO states authoritativelyWHO recommendations for the public regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019 ‑ nCoV): myths and misconceptions: vaccinations against pneumoniasuch as pneumococcal vaccine or Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine (Hib vaccine) will not prevent complications from the new coronavirus.
SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2 is fundamentally different from already known infections and requires a special vaccine. Currently, its development is just underway.
15. To avoid getting sick, it is enough to wear a medical mask.
The mask is only an aid. It will be ineffective if other rules are not followed.
Here's what to do to really reduceCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Prevention & Treatment risk of infection and prevent infection from spreading further:
- Avoid contact with sick people - those who cough, sneeze, have a fever.
- If you yourself are sick, even if we are talking about a common cold, stay at home.
- If you sneeze or cough, try to cover your mouth with a tissue or at least your elbow. This is important to reduce the risk of airborne infection spreading. Throw the used tissue into the trash can.
- Wean yourself from the habit of reaching your mouth, nose, and eyes with your hands.
- More often wash hands with warm water and soap. Spend at least 15-20 seconds on this activity.
- Carry a disinfectant with at least 60% alcohol. Use it to wash your hands when soap and water are not available.
- Regularly clean objects and surfaces that many people touch: doorknobs, keyboards, desk phone handsets, and so on. Use common household cleaners, including alcohol or bleach, or alcohol wipes for disinfection.
16. Coronavirus can be recognized by yourself
You can't. COVID-19 disease has no specific symptoms to distinguish it from the common cold or flu. Diseases manifest themselves in the same way: fever, malaise, headache, cough, nasal congestion, shortness of breath. Usually, with such symptoms, you need to contact a therapist at your place of residence - that is, to a polyclinic.
But if you or people with whom you spoke closely have returned from China, Iran, Italy in the past two weeks, such symptoms are a reason to call an ambulance.
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- What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus
Confirmation or refutation of COVID-19 can only be done under laboratory conditions. You will be asked to pass analyzes blood and make a test for the detection of 2019 ‑ nCoV RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Until the results are obtained, patients are placed in special isolated wards. If the coronavirus is not confirmed, you will be sent home with the usual ARVI treatment.
Attention! The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to describe the virus situation as rapidly evolving and unpredictable. This means that data on infection is updated almost every day, and the world is already actually on the verge of a pandemic.Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID ‑ 19) Situation Summarythat can turn the life of every familyTranscript for the CDC Telebriefing Update on COVID-19.
There may be a lot we still don't know about SARS ‑ CoV ‑ 2. Therefore, we continue to monitor the information.
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