2. What is Covid-19?
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID 19) was declared a “pandemic” by the World
Health Organization (WHO) in early March 2020. Globally, extraordinary
measures are being adopted to combat the formidable spread of the ongoing
outbreak. Under such conditions, people’s adherence to preventive measures is
greatly affected by their awareness of the disease.
3. The symptoms of Covid-19
Based on currently available information, Covid-19 is a highly contagious disease
and its primary clinical symptoms include fever, dry cough, difficulty in breathing,
fatigue, myalgia and dyspnoea. This coronavirus spreads primarily through
respiratory droplets of >5-10 um in diameter, discharge from the mouth or nose,
when an infected person coughts or sneezes (12-13). Reported illnesses range
from very mild (including asymptomatic) to severe including illness resulting to
death. However, the information so far suggested the symptoms as mild in almost
80% of the patients with lower death rates. People with co-morbidities, including
diabetes and hypertension, who are treated with the drugs such as
thiazolidinediones.6
4. Can COVID-19 enter into the body by
the hands?
Hands touch too many surfaces and can quickly pick up viruses. Once
contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your face, from where the virus can
move inside your body, making you feel unwell.
5. Basic steps to aware and protect our
lives
Always ware a facemask
Wash the hands
Social 1 meter distancing
Sanitize the hands
Eat healthy foods
Exercise every morning
6. The higher risk of developing severe to
fatal Covid-19
Since, SARS Corv-2 binds to their target cells through ACE-2, it was suggested that
patients with cardiac disease, hypertension, and diabetes are at the higher risk of
developing severe to fatal COVID 19. Moreover, elderly people (65 years) those
and people with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, who are
immune compromised(due to cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplant,
AIDS and prolonged use of corticosteroids or other medications) and those
people with severe obesity and chronic liver or kidney disease are at higher risk of
developing the COVID-19 severe illness.
7. Is there any vaccine for Covid-19?
Yes, there are three Covid-19 vaccines for which certain national regulatory
authorities have authorized the use. None have yet received who EUL/ PQ
authorized but we expect an assessment on the Pfizer vaccine by the end of
December and for some other candidates soon thereafter.
8. Currently, two vaccine are authorized
and recommended to prevent COVID-
19:
1. Pfizer- BionTech Covid-19 vaccine
• General information Name: BNT 162b2 Manufacturer: Pfizer, Inc,,,and BionTech
Type of vaccine: mRNA Number of shots: 2 shots, 21 days apart How given: Shot
in the muscle of the upper arm
Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine
• General information Name: mRNA-1273 Manufacturer: Moderna TX Inc. Type of
vaccine: mRNA Number of shots: 2 shots, one month (28 days) apart How given:
Shot in the muscle of the upper arm
9. The Side effects:
Most common side effects
In the arm where you got the shot: Throughout the rest of your body:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Chills
• Tiredness
• headache
10. To prevent the spread of Covid-19
Basic steps to protect our lives:
Clean your hands often. Use soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub.
Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Wear a mask
when physical distancing is not possible
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth
Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or
sneeze
Stay home if you feel unwell
If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Calling
in advance allows your healthcare provider to quickly direct you to the right health
facility.
