The WHO lists common signs of infection include:

Respiratory symptoms

Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In more severe cases, infection can cause:

 

Pneumonia

Severe acute respiratory syndrome

Kidney failure

Death

Most people (about 80% according to the WHO) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. However, older people, and

those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.

 

Protecting Yourself:

To protect yourself from the virus and to help stop the spread, follow these

recommendations put out by the WHO:

 

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 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.

To keep anxiety levels down, and reduce the crush on local healthcare during the coronavirus

pandemic, it’s important to know the difference between seasonal allergies or other illnesses

and the more serious COVID-19.

 

However it is important to note that some people who become infected, won’t develop any

symptoms. It’s important to continue to remain vigilant on washing your hands and

practicing social distancing.

 

Coronavirus

Shortnesss of breath

Fever

Cough

Fatigue

Weakness

 

Flu

Fever

Cough

Fatigue

Weakness

Exhaustion

 

Common Cold

Sneezing

Runny nose

Mild chest discomfort

 

Allergies

Itchy eyes

Sneezing

Runny nose

Stay in the know, but don’t obsess! It’s important to remain informed, but obsessing over every post about the virus might do more harm

than good, especially to your mental health. According to  Northwestern University Psychologist Stewart Shankman, “There’s a point where

information gathering could become problematic…and could have the unintended effect of driving up your fear”, thus inducing more anxiety and panic.

Focus on eating well and sleeping well. Evidence has shown that eating well, exercising, and sleeping help boost immunity and promote

feelings of well-being.

Try to maintain a “normal” routine. While it might be hard to keep up with your daily routine be it because you are working from home,

plans/events canceled, etc., it’s important to stay engaged in as many of your normal activities as possible.

Wash your hands, thoroughly and often! During an outbreak, proper hand-washing is your best defense against a virus. So, follow the

evidence-based advice to wash for 20 seconds (2 rounds of singing “Happy Birthday” should do it!) or more using soap and water.