Question and Answers on COVID-19

 

Detail Question and Answers on COVID-19 for Public

 

 What is corona virus

Corona viruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness  in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses  are known  to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

What is COVID-19

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered corona virus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019

What are the symptoms of COVID-19

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. 

Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. 

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How does COVID-19 spread

 People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. 

These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. 

People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person  with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3  feet)  away  from  a person who is sick.

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?

Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. 

See previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?”

Can CoVID-19 be caught from a person who has no symptoms?

The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. 

The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. 

This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. 

It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.

Can I catch COVID-19 from the feces of someone with the disease?

The risk of catching COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be low. 

While initial investigations suggest the virus may  be present in feces in some cases, spread through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. 

The ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new findings.

Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.

What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of disease

 Protection measures for everyone

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the national,state and local public health authority. 

Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. 

Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.

 You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID- 19 by taking some simple precautions:

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol- based hand rub or wash them with soap and  water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand  rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

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 contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

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

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 you 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 and COVID-19.

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.

Follow the directions of your local health  authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. 

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

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely).

If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older person or  have      diabetes,      heart       or       lung       disease. Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited  (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading

 Follow the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)

Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose, until you recover. If it is essential for you to have someone bring you supplies  or to go  out, e.g.   to buy food, then wear a mask to avoid infecting other people. Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing,  seek  medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. 

Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers. Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. 

This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

How likely am I to catch COVID-19?

 The risk depends on where you are - and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19 outbreak unfolding there.

For most people in most locations the risk of catching COVID-19  is  still low. However, there are now places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is spreading. For people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher. 

Governments  and health authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new  case of COVID-19 is identified.

Be sure to comply with any local restrictions on travel, movement or large gatherings. 

Cooperating with disease control efforts will reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.

COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained and transmission stopped, as has been shown in China and some other countries.

Unfortunately, new outbreaks can emerge rapidly. It’s important to be aware of the situation where you are or intend to go.

Should I worry about COVID-19?

Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care. 

It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.

We can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. 

First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene. 

Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the local health authorities including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings.

Who is at risk of developing severe illness

While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others

Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating the COVID-19?

No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections. 

COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

They should  only be used as  directed by a  physician  to treat a bacterial infection.

Are there any medicines or therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19

While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease.

We does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. 

However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines. 

We  will continue to provide updated information as soon  as clinical findings are available.

Is COVID-19 the same as SARS?

No. The virus that causes COVID-19 and the one that caused the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 are related to each other genetically, but the diseases they cause are  quite different.

SARS was more deadly but much less infectious than COVID-19. There have been no outbreaks of SARS anywhere in the world since 2003.

Should I wear mask to protect myself

Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19. 

Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. 

There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so We urge people to use masks wisely.

We advises rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources and mis-use of masks

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.

How to put on use take off and dispose of a mask?

1. Remember, a mask should only be used by health workers, care takers, and individuals with respiratory symptoms, such as fever and cough.

2.     Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

3.     Take the mask and inspect it for tears or holes.

4.     Orient which side is the top side (where the metal strip is).

5.     Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards (the  coloured side).

6.     Place the mask to your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to the shape of your nose.

7.     Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin.

8.     After use, take off the mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.

9.     Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.

10.    Perform hand hygiene after touching or discarding the mask

Use alcohol-based hand rub or, if visibly soiled, wash your hands with soap and water.

How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?

The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. 

Most estimates of  the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. 

These estimates will be updated as more data become available.

 Can humans become infected with the COVID-19 from an animal source?

 Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in animals. 

Occasionally, people get infected with these viruses which may then spread to other people. 

For example, SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels. Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.

To protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct contact with animals and surfaces in contact with animals.

Ensure good food safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products.

Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?

While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. 

COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.

We continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID- 19 topics and will update as new findings are available.

How long does the virus survive on surfaces?

 It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other corona viruses. 

Studies suggest that corona viruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

 If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. 

Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

 Is it safe to receive a package from any area where COVID-19 has been reported?

 Yes. The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.

Is there anything I should not do?

 The following measures ARE NOT effective against COVID-2019 and can be harmful:

·         Smoking

·         Wearing multiple masks

·         Taking antibiotics (See question 10 "Are there any medicines of therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19?")

 

In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing  seek medical care early to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection and be sure to share your recent travel history with your health care provider.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/

5 Signs You Need to See the Dentist

Many adults dislike visiting the dentist, but there are some symptoms that you just can't ignore. Here are five signs that you should schedule an appointment with your dentist:

Bleeding Gums:

Bleeding gums may be a result of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. They're also a common sign of inflammation, which can lead to a variety of issues, including:

• Bone loss

• Gum recession

• Abscesses

Your gums may bleed from aggressive brushing, but you should always get bleeding gums checked out by a dentist to make sure nothing's wrong. If you floss for the first time after neglecting to for a while, your gums may bleed as well. This should clear up after a week of flossing regularly, though.

Red or Swollen Gums

“If your gums are healthy, they should be pink and firm, and they shouldn't hurt when you eat or brush your teeth,” notes Smile on Chicago, a dentist in Chicago. Redness, swelling, and tenderness in the gums is usually a sign of severe inflammation. It's especially common for your gums to swell up around a partially erupted wisdom tooth. Pay careful attention to your wisdom teeth to make sure plaque doesn't accumulate under the gum flap.

Sensitive Teeth:

If you feel pain or sensitivity from cold or hot foods and drinks, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. Sensitivity or discomfort may be caused by a cavity or plaque buildup. If plaque buildup is the only issue, a thorough cleaning at your dentist's office can solve the problem.

Bad Breath:

Bad breath is a sign of a number of health issues, including:

• Poor diet

• Acid reflux

• Dry mouth

• Chronic sinus infection

• Diabetes

• Medication side effects

• Gum disease

Although most of these issues aren't actually related to dental health, your dentist can help you narrow down the potential causes of your bad breath to figure out what's wrong. You may be tempted to just cover up your bad breath with gum or mints, but this won't solve the cause of the problem.

Jaw Pain:

If you frequently experience jaw pain, it could be a sign of a serious issue. Teeth grinding, abscessed teeth, a misaligned bite, and TMJ disorder can all cause jaw pain. The sooner you see your dentist for treatment, the sooner you can get rid of the jaw pain.

Holistic Cancer Healing

Cancer is not considered a single disease. It is a complex and large group of malignancies which can affect every organ in your body. Cancer cells reproduce themselves at a rapid rate unlike normal cell production. If the cells metastasize, they can attack different organs. These cells then break off and travel through the blood stream to other parts of the body and begin metastasize. Cancer can be caused by both external and internal factors. Exposure to carcinogens poisons, pesticides, etc. can cause cancer as well as hormones and inherited DNA mutations can create cancerous cells in the body. There are many treatments available for cancer today.

The medical treatments include radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy. These are all acceptable treatments that are effective, however not without side effects. The medical treatment of cancer is very hard on the body physically. That is when holistic cancer healing steps in. This body of healing modalities can help repair the immune system, stave off side affects of traditional treatment and lower stress, prevent illness and even help cure diseases. Alternative practices for cancer treatment of cancer have become more commonplace in the medical world now.

These have made patients feel better and recover more quickly from chemo and other invasive therapies. Ayurvedic practices have even cured cancer patients and the research backs this up. Holistic cancer healing addresses the entire person, their culture, their beliefs, their diet, their spiritual leanings and basically the “whole” person. Holistic cancer healing promotes a healthy diet. Colorful vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and lean meats (not processed) comprise a holistic diet. Sugars are banned because they bring people into the cancer zone. 

Cancer loves sugar, thrives on sugar, so anyone embracing the holistic lifestyle omits sugar from their diet. They also forego bacon, pork, beef, processed foods, high fat/salt snacks, sodas and any other high fructose corn syrup added to any drink, condiment or snack.

They stop coffee (and the high fat/sugar drinks disguised as coffee) in favor of green tea, loaded with antioxidants. Complementary therapies are usually given alongside medical therapies. Art therapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, counseling, visualization, massage, meditation, homeopathy, acupressure, reflexology, acupuncture, electromagnetic therapy, essiac (a mixture of herbs), iscador (mistletoe extract) and gerson, herbal and vitamin/mineral supplements are given in addition to regular medical therapies. 

A key link in holistic cancer healing is dealing with your mind. Do you watch a lot of negative TV? Do you believe news stations “perception” of the state of the world? Do you think that everyone is out to get you? Do you think it’s your mother’s or father’s fault? If you have any of these erroneous beliefs or habits lurking in you daily living, you may want to rethink your paradigm. 

Hanging onto resentment, fear, anger and hostilities can only add to your stress and your immune system can’t deal with undue stress when you have cancer. Let it go. Your cancer is telling you it’s time to let go. The ultimate healing in holistic cancer healing is letting go of the past. The problem with holistic cancer healing is it hasn’t undergone the rigorous scientific testing that chemo, radiation, etc. has undergone. 

The herbalists and practitioners who have found success for various holistic cancer healing modalities don’t have the funds to undergo clinical trials that the FDA requires for testing. Ironic that the pharmaceutical industry has millions to throw to the FDA for funding trials, and the FDA continues to throw our products that are not safe, do not work and are a “miss” as far as treating the specific disease. 

No matter! If you have cancer, you can best take control of your life by eating a healthy nutritious diet consisting of organic colorful veggies, colorful fruits, and fish, chicken and whole grains as well as tofu and Tempe. You can take control of your health at any level you choose.

How To Make Heart Healthy Food With Herbs

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the majority of the countries. Heart disease can lead to a heart attack, or even a stroke. 

It can strike suddenly and require you to make decisions quickly. Often a lifestyle change to eating heart healthy foods is part of this decision making process. Eating well by following a healthy diet can lower your risk of heart disease.

Did you know that fresh herbs can be used to make many foods heart-healthy and delicious when they replace sugar, salt, and trans fats? The Ancient text, Genesis 1:29, tells us that our Creator, God gave us every herb yielding seed. “And God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. 

You shall have them for food.” Adding herbs to foods will give you delicious ways to fight heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

If you are new to cooking with herbs, you can start with a few of the basic dishes such as chicken with tarragon, guacamole with cilantro and chili, grilled cod or tuna with salsa verde (a delicious Mexican green salsa made with roasted tomatillos, onion, cilantro leaves, lime juice and sugar), and roast potatoes with rosemary and garlic. 

Once you begin to appreciate how the blending of flavors affects a dish, you will begin to experiment and create combinations to your own taste.

Generally herbs are used to add fragrance and flavor to food rather than to provide the dominant taste.

While robust herbs like sage do not lose their flavors if dried, most herbs are meant to be eaten fresh.

Herbs added early on in cooking process will release their flavor to the food. Dried herbs should be put in at the beginning, and herbs with tough leaves such as rosemary, lavender, thyme, and bay can withstand long cooking. 

When you add sprigs of herbs to a dish, remove them before serving. To restore the aroma of herbs in a slow cooking dish stir a few finely chopped leaves into the pan toward the end of cooking process. Strongly flavored herbs, such as mint, tarragon, fennel, can be added at any stage during cooking. 

The essential oils of delicate herbs, like basil, dill, cilantro, and lemon balm, soon dissipate when heated. To keep them fresh in taste, texture, and color, add the just before a dish is served.

Herbs are usually grouped by aroma and taste:

The following should make your herb selection a little easier:

Sweet herbs-basil, bay

Minty herbs- mint- peppermint, spearmint

Pungent and spicy herbs- oregano, rosemary, sage

Oniony herbs- garlic

Fresh and mild herb- parsley

Citrus or tart herbs- sorrel, sassafras, lemon balm

Bitter or astringent herbs-celery, chicory

Licorice or anise herbs—tarragon, dill, fennel

Putting this information together we have the light flavor of dill and parsley that is good with fish and seafood. The more pungent flavors of rosemary, oregano, and garlic go with lamb or roast pork wonderfully. 

Root vegetables respond well to thyme and rosemary, green peas to chives, and tomatoes to basil with parsley. Using herbs correctly is very important to the outcome desired.

Try these combinations /parings often and make your food heart healthy and delicious when they replace sugar, salt, and trans fats

5 Smart ways to Boost Your Metabolism Like a Pro

In this post, let discuss on 5 Smart ways to Boost Your Metabolism Like a Pro. God designed our wonderful bodies with a special process called metabolism. Your metabolism is what converts food into fuel. It also affects how efficiently you burn that fuel. 

The calories you get form the food you eat are converted in energy that you can use. Metabolism establishes the rate at which we burn our calories it is also the key to losing weight and keeping it off. 

If you are eating less or cutting back on the calories, and the scale doesn’t move it may be a sign of a sluggish metabolism. A sluggish metabolism is not a curse of midlife, as many like to call it, but a fact that your metabolic rate naturally slows down as you get older. It is God’s reminder that you are not immortal. If you feel tired and don’t have the energy to get through your day, your metabolic rate may be sluggish.

Use these 5 tips to rev up your metabolism and be more energetic.

1. Move more: Get up and move. When you do your heart and your body will thank you. Ongoing research at the Mayo Clinic has found that you can burn almost an additional 1,000 calories a day simply by getting off your buns and moving around more. 

The researchers call this Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT). NEAT research shows that metabolic rates increase when you move around more. The evidence suggests that if you do a task while standing and pacing (walking around) you can burn at least 100 more calories than you can by doing the same task and just sitting. Motion fitness is the best cure for sitting sickness (couch potato syndrome). Get up and move more.

2. Walk more. Be intentional and walk. Use the stairs and not just down. Park further away than you normally do to get to your destination. Be heart smart and take a brisk walk for 30 minutes daily. To make sure your own workout is sufficiently strenuous and your metabolic rate is increasing, try talking during your workout.

3. Exercise more. Aerobic exercise can be somewhat like shopping on coupon day. If buy one item (A) at full price you get a second item (B) of equal value for free. Here is how it works. There are the calories that you burn while working out, but because your metabolic rate stays elevated, you continue to burn the extra calories after the work out is over.

Researchers call this the after burn. It’s your added bonus for speeding up your metabolism.

4. Flavor more. You can spice up your meals, which should be fiber rich vegetables and grains, to speed up your metabolism with peppery spices. Chili peppers, ginger, and turmeric, cayenne pepper, have all been found to give a metabolic boost. They make your food more flavorful, and have an added effect of reducing your food cravings and giving you phytonutrients. Enjoy this with green tea which contains EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). EGCG is an antioxidant that has the same calorie burning effect as hot peppers.

5. Eat more. Eat small, but frequent, meals help to keep your metabolism running at optimum level. This means you burn more calories. When too much time elapses between meals your metabolism slows down to compensate. To avoid slowing down of your metabolism snack on low-calorie, high-protein foods, and get up and move.

These 5 tips will help you feel more energetic, and are just a few of the many ways you can boost your sluggish metabolism.

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