By Excel V. Dyquiangco
With just a month into 2020, the Philippines, as well as the whole world, was suddenly attacked with a disease seemingly worse than the bubonic plague or the Spanish flu. The COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus disease 2019, has claimed at least 29,000 deaths worldwide, with thousands still under investigation, as of the most recent data.
But what do we need to know about the COVID-19, and how do we make sure that we are highly protected? Dr. Kiel Martin, medical director from Medicard Philippines, filled us in on this deadly virus. In his recent talk during the first UPMG General Membership Meeting held on February 4, 2020, at the office of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, according to him, the COVID-19 has been around during pre-human times, but was only discovered in the 1960s.
“There are seven types of the coronavirus, and four of them are considered non-lethal which means it can’t kill, and these four are already included in our annual flu vaccine,” he said. “The lethal ones are the MERS-CoV, the SARS and of course, the COVID-19. The virus is the COVID-19 while the disease is known as the ARD or the Acute Respiratory Disease. The COVID-19 looks like the sun with its rays radiating from it, a spherical kind of virus.”
For signs and symptoms, the non-lethal coronavirus happens above the neck—which means cough, colds and headaches. However, for the more lethal types of coronavirus, respiratory problems arise which affect the lungs, therefore, becomes lethal.
Martin said the chances of one patient infecting another are quite high, with a ratio of 1 to 18, and that one person can pass this to two people.
Where did the virus come from?
The origin of the COVID-19 came from the Wuhan Seafood Market, but for specific origins of the 2019 COVID-19, there are theorie—the most popular of which said that the virus came from the snakes, and bats. But the most controversial said that the virus was from the leakage at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The first known symptom of the COVID-19 was recorded on December 8, 2019, but the first reported was December 31, 2019, and in less than 50 days, affected several counties already. There are three cases in the Philippines, but for PUI (person under investigation), there are around 170 cases, and the number is climbing.Â
But how do we know if the person is under investigation?
“First, if that person comes from the countries affected,” said Martin. “Next is if he is exhibiting symptoms, and then the timing if it happens within 14 days.”
He further shared that the coronavirus is a slow progressing kind of virus, and that it is not free-flowing which means that the virus can die in the air, but it does cling to a respiratory droplet, such as that at the back of the neck.
Treatment and Cure
According to Martin, the term “prevention is better than cure” does not apply to COVID-19 because there is no cure for the virus, only prevention. But what about those who have been cured of this disease? “They were given supportive treatment—when we have headaches, we are given medicines, the same way is true for the COVID-19,” he said. “There is no specific medication for this. Eventually, when they survive the days of the virus, they can be released from the hospital.”
It is always important to boost the immune system, and Martin stressed that handwashing, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, eating right and avoiding stress are some of the ways to avoid the novel coronavirus. “Again, it is all about supportive treatment,” he added..
Here are some ways for prevention
- Always practice hand-washing. Focus on the fingertips, the dorsum of the hands and the space between the fingers—because bacteria and virus cling to these parts. “We should hand-wash for atleast 20 seconds, or two “Happy Birthday” songs,” he says. “We can also use hand sanitizers if our hands are not soiled. Use ethyl alcohol, too, as these can kill more bacteria too.”
- When coughing, use our elbow to cover our mouth and our nose, if we don’t have a handkerchief or a napkin. This is called the Dracula method.Â
- Avoid hand shaking, especially during the flu season.Â
- Practice distancing. At least allow 2 meters distance.Â
- Avoid eating uncooked animal meat.Â
- Boil water for 60 degrees Celsius and above for 15 minutes, and then we can drink this water.Â
But what about face masks? The face masks function as filtering devices, but the size of the virus can go in and around any type of mask, said Martin, including the N95 mask. The N95 masks, however, are a good protection for ashfalls. “N95 is also non-resistant which means just a droplet of oil or sweat coming into contact with the face mask renders it useless so you better throw it out,” said Martin. “But this is still better than nothing. We can also use the surgical masks and the gas mask, which can filter out more than the N95 face mask.”
He further shared that when putting on a mask, the colored side should be on the outside. We can use the face masks for eight hours of continued use, and we can still reuse if we put it in a sealed bag, and avoid mixing with other face masks. If it comes in contact with sweat or oil, throw it away.
There are actually other elements which can kill off the virus: Benzalkonium chloride, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.
There are still no vaccines for the COVID-19.
Image credits: Jarun011 | Dreamstime.com