With all the news reports lately on coronavirus, it is only natural that people will be wondering what exactly it is and what they can do to keep themselves safe from it.
After all, if you don’t have your health you don’t have anything – so you need to do everything you can to prevent infection and to be prepared to deal with one promptly, should you come down with a serious illness.
What Exactly Is Coronavirus?
There are actually numerous different types of coronaviruses, and a coronavirus is a very common type of pathogen. The great majority of these germs are not especially dangerous, but a few of them can be, including the recent outbreak in China and the 2012-to-2015 MERS coronavirus outbreak.
Coronaviruses affect your sinus, nose, and upper throat and respiratory system. They can have symptoms that are the same or similar to a common cold or the flu. These include a nasty cough, a runny nose, a sore throat, sinus infection, or an ear infection.
If coronavirus spreads to infect your lower respiratory system (lungs), then it can become very serious. It essentially can become a form of pneumonia and is especially dangerous for those with an already-weakened immune system.
What Should I Do About Coronavirus?
So far, there is no special vaccine for the coronavirus that broke out in China early in 2020, though one is currently being developed.
Wearing a face mask can help to prevent the spread of the virus, but this strategy is somewhat limited and is more practical for those who already have the virus or are around those who do.
So what can you do about it? Here are the most practical, highly effective ways to minimize your risk:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water and use an effective hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose as much as possible.
- Drink a lot of fluids, especially water. Dehydration is a big enemy of good health.
- Use a humidifier or take a hot shower with a lot of steam to reduce an irritated throat.
- Be sure to get enough rest and maintain regular sleep patterns.
- Use over the counter cold and flu medications.
- Avoid contact with those already sick.
- Visit a local ER if you need medical attention, a diagnosis, or blood/other tests done.
In case of any emergency, visit the ER On Soncy in Amarillo, Texas.