What are novel Coronavirus symptoms and its protect against?

In December of 2019, a respiratory virus known as the novel corona virus was found in Wuhan city of China. The virus has rapidly spread to Wuhan and other parts of the country. As of January 28, 2020, five people in four different states (Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington) have confirmed cases of novel coronary virus infection. More than a thousand cases have been identified in China so far, and 106 patients have died of the disease. The number of infections exceeds about 4,500 a day.

What is the novel coronavirus

Named "2019-nCoV", the novel belongs to a large family of corona virus that infects the nose, sinus, or upper throat. However, there have been two specific corona viruses that have spread from animals to humans and which have caused severe illness in humans:

Symptoms of the Novel Coronavirus infection

An early study of 41 infected patients found that the most common symptoms were fever, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, fatigue, and pneumonia. Less common symptoms were headache, diarrhea, and coughing up blood or sputum.

For the confirmed 2019-NCOV infections, reported illnesses are due to people being mildly ill and critically ill and dying. Symptoms may include:

• fever
• cough
• difficulty breathing

If you have traveled to Hubei Province in China and have developed symptoms of 2019 Novel Coronavirus infection, avoid contacting others and contact with your health care professional.

Talk to your healthcare professional:

• Your symptoms
• Where are you traveling or living
• If you have direct contact with animals (for example: visited a live animal market)
• If you have close contact with a sick person, especially if they have fever, cough or difficulty breathing

How can I protect against the coronavirus?

The best protection against the virus is to practice similar daily habits that help prevent the common cold or flu. This includes frequent hand washing, refraining from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, avoiding close contact with sick people, and repeatedly cleaning objects and surfaces. For the safety of others, remember to stay home when you are sick and cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve.

Travelers should avoid all unnecessary travel to Hubei Province, China. If you travel, avoid contact with sick people, animals, animal markets and animal products. If you have symptoms, immediately call a healthcare provider at AmericanEcare.