WHAT IS COVID-19?
As the coronavirus causing COVID-19 is genetically similar to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus), it will be referred to hereinafter using its official term SARS-CoV-2.
SYMPTOMS
COVID-19 symptoms are nonspecific and their severity can vary.
The disease can run its course without symptoms of illness, but infection can also include severe pneumonia, and for people in risk groups, in worst case, the illness can end in death.
The main symptoms are:
● headache,
● loss of smell,
● blocked nose,
● cough,
● tiredness and weakness,
● muscular pain,
● runny nose,
● loss of taste,
● throat pain,
● fever.
In severe cases:
● hingamisraskused,
● rindkere valud,
● breathing difficulties,
● chest pain,
● speech and movement disorders
SPREAD
In most cases, coronaviruses spread in the form of a droplet infection (through coughing or sneezing) and via close contact. In rarer occasions, the virus may also spread via contaminated surfaces.
Based on currently available information, the SARS-CoV-2 virus can last for up to three days at room temperature. On the other hand, it is possible to remove the virus from surfaces by using efficient cleaning methods and detergents.
Heating, UV radiation, and several antimicrobial substances, such as 70% ethanol, 75% 2-propanol, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium hypochlorite, which kill the virus if they are left on the surface for at least one minute, have an effect against various coronaviruses.
HOW TO AVOID CONTRACTING THE CORONAVIRUS?
- Wash your hands. Hands should be washed with soap under running water, hand disinfectants should be used if needed.
- Requirement for dispersal. The requirement for dispersal mandates that indoors strangers must be kept at a reasonable distance for the purpose of containing the spread of the virus. Avoid contact with people, who are coughing or sneezing. If you stand too close to a person with symptoms of the disease, you may contract the disease yourself.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with contaminated hands, it is possible that the virus will be transmitted to you as well.
- Observe good respiratory hygiene. If you sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth with a single use tissue. Throw it into the bin immediately after, and then clean your hands. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (the inside of your elbow), but do not use your bare hand.
- Wear a mask indoors.
We advise that you wear a mask in crowded indoor premises and on public transport, especially in the case of at-risk individuals.Medical masks or their equivalent should be preferred.
-
COVID-19 vaccination. By vaccinating against COVID-19 we can move towards returning to the regular order of life.
Read more »
In addition to the spread of the coronavirus, this is also the flu season. Therefore it is very important to be able to distinguish between coronavirus (COVID-19) and influenza. Although there are still very many unknown factors regarding COVID-19, two main aspects of the disease can be compared. According to the information known today, the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to flu symptoms.
COVID-19
SYMPTOMS
Coronavirus – headache, loss of smell, blocked nose, cough, tiredness and weakness, muscular pain, runny nose, loss of taste, throat pain, fever, breathing difficulties, chest pain, speech and movement disorders.
Most cases of COVID-19 infection are not serious.
VIRUS SPREAD
Coronavirus is more infectious than influenza. Each person infected with the COVID-19 virus infects an average of 2.2 people.
MORBIDITY
In case of coronavirus or influenza infection, people aged over 60 with weakened immune system and/or chronic diseases are at the highest risk. Co-morbidity increases the disease risk.
Children infected with coronavirus usually have mild symptoms or do not have any symptoms.
MORTALITY
COVID-19 mortality varies from region to region and depends on age and other factors. the most vulnerable were the elderly.
TREATMENT
No specific treatment or any approved antiviral medicine exists yet for COVID-19. Doctors can therefore recommend the usual measures: rest, take medicines to reduce pain and fever, and consume fluids to prevent dehydration. There are vaccines available that will inoculate against COVID-19, but these are currently available only to a limited extent.
PREVENTION
You should wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to prevent any flu-like viruses, including COVID-19, avoid contact with your face if hands are unwashed, avoid contacts with sick people, stay at home in the case of illness, and disinfect surfaces and objects you touch daily.
SEASONALITY
It is not known whether and how the weather affects the COVID-19 virus. Even if the spread of the COVID-19 virus declines in the spring, it may return in the autumn.
FLU
SYMPTOMS
Flu - fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, runny or blocked nose, fatigue, sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea.
The flu symptoms have a sudden onset. Most patients recover within less than two weeks. In some patients flu may cause serious complications, including pneumonia. The prevalence of flu is very similar every year.
VIRUS SPREAD
Every person infected with the influenza virus infects an average of 1.3 healthy people.
MORBIDITY
In case of coronavirus or influenza infection, people aged over 60 with weakened immune system and/or chronic diseases are at the highest risk. Co-morbidity increases the disease risk.
Influenza is much more dangerous for children, especially very young children who can fall severely ill.
MORTALITY
Most studies show that it is higher than the influenza mortality.
TREATMENT
The mortality of influenza would be higher if there were no treatment and vaccination. For the treatment of influenza, there are several prescription medications that have a good impact if they are taken within one or two days of the onset of symptoms. There are also medicines that are given to prevent flu for people who have been in contact with the virus carrier.
PREVENTION
You should wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to prevent any flu-like viruses, including COVID-19, avoid contact with your face if hands are unwashed, avoid contacts with sick people, stay at home in the case of illness, and disinfect surfaces and objects you touch daily. There are vaccines available that will inoculate against influenza which are widely available and will ensure a certain level of immunity.
SEASONALITY
In the case of influenza, a pattern is observed that the spread of the disease decreases in the spring and returns in the autumn when the weather gets colder.
If any symptoms present themselves (a cough, a temperature, or breathing difficulties), please contact your family physician or the family physician advisory line ☎️ 1220 (+372 634 6630 also for calls from abroad) to receive further instructions.
If you have any coronavirus-related questions, please call the alarm centre’s free information line ☎️ 1247 (+372 600 1247 also for calls from abroad) which is available around the clock.
If you experience any breathing difficulties or shortness of breath, please call the emergency number ☎️ 112.