What is the Coronavirus?
According the World Health Organisation (WHO), Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold, to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Common signs include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. (1)
The novel coronavirus identified in this outbreak has never before been identified in people. This new coronavirus has been called 2019-nCoV. (2)
Who is most at risk of infection from 2019-nCOV?
Of those who get infected, some people will not get sick at all, some will get mild symptoms from which they will recover easily, and others will become very ill quite quickly. The coronavirus is a more recent infection type, so very little is known about why some get sick while others do not. However, experience tells us that people with compromised immune systems, the very old and young, and those with diagnosed heart and lung conditions are most at risk of developing complications if they contract an infection like this. Early information about this virus is indicating that children may be less likely to get sick with this virus than adults. (2)
How can you protect yourself and your loved ones from the Coronavirus?
1. Follow the preventative measures recommended by WHO that are listed below. This will help to reduce the potential risk of being infected by the coronavirus
Boosting Immunity for Cold & Flu Season61e system to reduce the risk of infection and your own mortality risk
Reference
1 Q&A on coronaviruses. World Health Organisation. (2020). Retrieved 11 February 2020, from https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses.Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
2 Better Health Channel. (2019). Retrieved 12 February 2020, from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/novel-coronavirus.