It is very important to understand the signs and symptoms of COVID
South Africa may be entering a fifth COVID-19 infection wave earlier than expected, after a sustained rise in infections over the past 14 days, Health Minister Joe Phaahla said on Friday, reported Reuters.
South Africa has recorded the most COVID infections and deaths in Africa to date, with more than 3.7 million confirmed cases and over 100,000 deaths during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, in India COVID cases had fallen down for a brief period before picking up, after the third wave of COVID. The Omicron led COVID third wave saw more number of infections and less hospitalisation cases.
After the COVID wave subsided, schools and offices have resumed operating in physical mode.
On the possibility of a fourth wave of infection, experts say that the data indicates localised spikes but not the beginning of a fourth wave of infection.
While researchers and experts are busy finding out if a massive wave of infection is lurking around, it is our duty to follow the simple guidelines so that the onset of the infection is delayed and the possibility of the next wave of infection is deferred.
Understand the symptoms
Two years into the pandemic, it should be known that coronavirus is widespread in our environment. A little bit of negligence in sanitization habits will expose one to the infection. With normal life back on track, it is very essential to take care of one's health.
One of the most important things to do is to understand the signs and symptoms of the disease. Many COVID symptoms coincide with the symptoms of flu and common cold, thus making it extremely difficult to figure out the infection without testing.
There are several factors like testing, isolating, and quarantining that discourage people from admitting that they have COVID. While this requires a big behavioural change, one's understanding of the symptoms can help solve the problem to a large extent.
Fever, headache, loss of smell and taste, sore throat, runny nose are some of the common COVID symptoms. People also experience body pain, skin rashes, red or irritated eyes, chest pain, difficulty in breathing and loss of speech. On average it takes 5–6 days from the day of infection for symptoms to show; in some cases it can take up to 14 days.
Once you experience these symptoms isolate yourself without any delay. If there are young children, older adults and family members who are medically supported, it is essential to keep themselves safe from the infection.
Inform all the people who have come in contact with in recent times in order to cut the spread of the disease.
Take a COVID test if possible and follow the medications.
Avoid mass gathering
Public places where people gather together is a breeding place for coronavirus. If not at all necessary, then avoid being a part of mass gathering. Limit outdoor activities.
Lockdowns are a proof to how restricting outdoor activities is a big success in curbing the spread of COVID.
Wear masks
Coronavirus enters the body through the nose and mouth. This virus breeds in the respiratory tract and depending on the host body's response attacks other organs too.
From the very first day, the virus was detected, health agencies and governments have urged people to wear masks as this is the only way to cut down the risk of the virus entering the body.
Wearing clean and tight masks, even made of cloth, reduces the chance of contracting the infection. However, in view of growing cases of COVID people are advised to wear high protection masks instead of cloth masks.