Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Coronavirus?

The full name of the illness is Coronavirus COVID-19, and infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which in its most severe stage can lead to acute respiratory syndrome, pneumonia and death. It is called Coronavirus because of the coronal tips on the surface of the virus.

• How is it spread?

Still being researched, but it is presumed that the main path of transmission is through drops of saliva (droplets) expelled by an infected person, coming into contact with our mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth.) 

We come into contact with them by being too close to an infected person or by touching objects that have been touched or droplets sprayed by an infected person, and we thereafter touch our nose, eyes and mouth. This way the virus finds its way into our bodies. 

Of note, as well, is that there is still not enough evidence to suggest that the virus is airborne, so the proven path of transmission so far is as explained above. 

As for the virus being present in feces, there is still not enough evidence to confirm it or rule it out; however, we know that feces are the source of other infections so extreme care must be taken when handling feces from someone who may be sick.   

• What are the symptoms?
  • Fever
  • Dry cough
• Some patients also refer:
  • Pain
  • Nasal congestion
  • Rhinorrhea
  • Sore throat
  • Diarrhea.

• Is it deadly?

This disease can lead to death; however, the rate of deaths is lower that with other diseases, this being around 5%. In that sense, as with many diseases, the vulnerable population is the elderly, babies, infants and people with compromised immunologic systems.

• Why is it such a highly publicized disease?

This new disease has never seen before; it has been recently discovered and the vaccines has yet to be developed. In terms of contagion, advance and how it affects, it is still unknown and in recent days the vaccine is being developed while the virus emerges.

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What are the best preventive measures ?

Wash hands constantly using the appropriate technique

• Importance: The virus comes wrapped in a lipid membrane (fat), and given its chemical composition, soap is designed to eliminate fat. When we wash our hands, we eliminate the layer that protects the virus leaving it exposed and eliminating it.  Karen Fleming, MD, John Hopkins Hospital. 

Clean with disinfectant the objects with which we have daily contact

• Importance: Recent scientific studies have detected the estimated time that the virus can remain stable:
  • 3 hours in a spraying manner (e.g., a sneeze)
  • 24 hours in cardboard.
  • 2 to 3 days in plastic and stainless steel.

It is therefore important to constantly clean surfaces we come into contact. 

Constantly and with the proper technique, clean hands with antibacterial gel (60% to 80% alcohol concentration)

• Importance: Meets the same cleaning and disinfection functions as hand washing, provided that it is done with a product it keeps the 60 to 80% alcohol ratio.

Keep a safe distance of 1 mt. (3 ft.) from the people with whom we live. 

• Importance: If you keep close distance from someone who may have the disease (remember that symptoms are not always evident), you may breathe saliva droplets when that person sneezes, coughs or even speaks, introducing the virus into your body.   

Sneeze or cough into the elbow (Count Dracula-type hug)

• Importance: By doing this we avoid saliva droplets from spreading the contagion; besides, it is not possible for this part of the body to come in contact with our face. 

Stay home and/or limit outings as much as possible.

• Importance: By limiting outings as much as possible, we avoid becoming a statistic of this disease, plus we can make things manageable. 

Considering the current behavior of the disease, it is not unlikely that it reaches our countries and/or cities; however, staying home can prevent new infections and the health system is the given enough time to address cases that gradually appear and not so many people at one time. 

Finally, we must remember that Health Services (public and private) provide care for many other diseases and accidents of different nature. Staying home helps us not to collapse the medical services as it has happened in many other places.     

Keep informed about  COVID-19 updates through local and/or national reliable sources.

•  Importance: Misinformation may lead to unwise actions that could complicate the general situation.  It is important to stay up to date following reliable sources such as WHO, Health Institutions and the Ministry of Heald. Social networks are not reliable sources.  

A virus, by its very nature, tends to mutate. Updates are important in order to take further preventive actions.

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Proper technique. Click here.

Importance: Meets the same cleaning and disinfection functions as hand washing, provided that it is done with a product it keeps the 60 to 80% alcohol ratio.

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Importance: If you keep close distance from someone who may have the disease (remember that symptoms are not always evident), you may breathe saliva droplets when that person sneezes, coughs or even speaks, introducing the virus into your body.   

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Importance: By doing this we avoid saliva droplets from spreading the contagion; besides, it is not possible for this part of the body to come in contact with our face. 

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Importance: By limiting outings as much as possible, we avoid becoming a statistic of this disease, plus we can make things manageable. 

Considering the current behavior of the disease, it is not unlikely that it reaches our countries and/or cities; however, staying home can prevent new infections and the health system is the given enough time to address cases that gradually appear and not so many people at one time.  

Finally, we must remember that Health Services (public and private) provide care for many other diseases and accidents of different nature. Staying home helps us not to collapse the medical services as it has happened in many other places.     

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Importante: Misinformation may lead to unwise actions that could complicate the general situation.  It is important to stay up to date following reliable sources such as WHO, Health Institutions and the Ministry of Heald. Social networks are not reliable sources.  

A virus, by its very nature, tends to mutate. Updates are important in order to take further preventive actions.

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Orientaciones para el público

Español. WHO.

https://www.who.int/es/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Question and answers 

Español. WHO

https://www.who.int/es/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub

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