Coronavirus: How you can protect yourself and your children

NEW DELHI: The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus, the WHO warned on Tuesday, as new infections dropped dramatically in China but surged abroad, with several new cases reported in many countries, including the US and India.


Globally, the

virus

has killed more than 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 even as a clear shift in the crisis emerges, with nine times as many cases recorded outside China as inside, according to the WHO. Here is all you need to know to protect yourself and your kids from the virus:

What is coronavirus?

2019-nCoV, as the virus has been named, belongs to a family called Coronaviridae, which is the same family as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – which killed over 700 people after an outbreak that started in China in 2002 – and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS) virus in 2012.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, corona viruses are common in many different species of animals, including camels and bats. Rarely, do these corona viruses evolve and infect humans and then spread between humans. It is not known why only certain corona viruses are able to infect people. The source of the new virus is also believed to be animals and human-to-human transmission has recently been confirmed by the Chinese government.

How does the

COVID-19

virus spread?

According to UNICEF, the virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing), and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.

How can you avoid the risk of infection?

Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue, when coughing or sneezing, and throw away the tissue into a closed bin.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms.
Seek medical care early if you or your child has a fever, cough or difficulty breathing.

Does the virus affect children?

Not much is known yet about the new virus or how it affects children or pregnant women. According to UNICEF, "It is possible for people of any age to be infected with the virus, but so far there have been relatively few cases of COVID-19 reported among children. The virus is fatal in rare cases, so far mainly among older people with pre-existing medical conditions."

What to do if your child has symptoms of COVID-19?

You should seek medical attention, but remember that symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever can be similar to those of the flu, or the

common cold

– which are a lot more frequent.

Continue to follow good hand and respiratory hygiene practices like regular handwashing, and keep your child up to date with vaccinations – so that your child is protected against other viruses and bacteria causing diseases.

As with other respiratory infections like the flu, seek care early if you or your child is having symptoms, and try to avoid going to public places (workplace, schools, public transport), to prevent spread to others.

Should you take your child out of school?

You should seek medical care for your child, and follow the instructions from the health care centers. Otherwise, as with other respiratory infections like the flu, keep your child well rested at home while symptomatic, and avoid going to public places, to prevent spread to others.

If your child isn’t displaying any symptoms such as a fever or cough – and unless a public health advisory or other relevant warning or official advice has been issued affecting your child’s school – it’s best to keep your child in class.

(With inputs from UNICEF)


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