Primarily, transmission would be by close contact with the cough or sneeze of a person carrying the virus, although based on our current knowledge, people with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic would not be able to spread the disease. In addition, it is considered that the chances of contagion vary depending on the amount of virus that people have in their respiratory tract. Regarding safe distance, airborne transmission over distances longer than one meter is considered unlikely.
Which people are most vulnerable to COVID-19?
The main risk groups are, on the one hand, people over 60 years of age and, on the other hand, people suffering from any of the following pathologies:
- Arterial hypertension
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Chronic lung diseases
- Cancer
- Immunodeficiencies
- Pregnancy
What measures should I take to protect myself? Should I use a mask?
The generic protective measures established for protection against any respiratory disease should be followed:
- Cover the respiratory tract with a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
- Discard tissues after use.
- Clean hands frequently with hydroalcoholic gels or soap and water.
- Avoid contact and keep your distance from other people if you have symptoms.
- Try not to put your hands to your nose, mouth or eyes, as your hands would facilitate contagion.
As for precautions with food or animals, we should simply follow conventional hygienic measures. Animals are not carriers and food, if well washed, cannot be a means of transmission.
Finally, masks should only be used if we are sick to stop the transmission of COVID-19, as well as by people who have been instructed by a physician to use them for their specific case. Inappropriate use only contributes to a shortage of masks, to the detriment of those who really need them.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If we suffer from fever, cough or shortness of breath, we should stay at home and call the telephone number for possible cases of coronavirus in each Autonomous Community. As soon as they can, since in the current situation cases have skyrocketed, health services will come to our home to assess our state of health and tell us the modus operandi to follow from that moment.
Image showing the survival of the virus on different surfaces.
What is the risk of contracting COVID-19?
The probabilities vary depending on whether the area where we are is affected by an outbreak of this virus. In general, we can say that the real chances of contracting the virus are low. However, it is important not to forget that in some areas the coronavirus is spreading, so that both residents and visitors are at a higher risk of infection. Currently, the government is taking measures to curb the spread and fight the disease. If we follow these measures, the risk of becoming ill decreases considerably.
Do I have to worry about COVID-19?
It is completely normal to worry about the effects of the virus, because we are concerned about our health and the health of our loved ones. However, symptoms are usually mild in children and adults up to age 50. However, it should be noted that there may also be severe cases in which hospitalization may be necessary.
Can I take any medication to treat or prevent COVID-19?
No. Antibiotics are of no use against viruses, as they only work against bacterial infections. On the other hand, there is no evidence that any treatment can prevent or cure the coronavirus, which is why WHO strongly discourages self-medication. As soon as there is a drug or vaccine to deal with this virus, with clinical trials to prove it, the WHO will provide us with this information.
How long is the incubation period?
In general, experts believe that the period from infection with the virus to the onset of symptoms is between 1 and 14 days, the average being approximately 5 days.
How long can the virus survive on a surface?
It is not known with certainty, although it is estimated that survival time would range from a few hours to 2-3 days. This will depend, among others, on the following conditions:
- Type of surface
- Ambient temperature
- Humidity
- Hygiene
What should I do if I have a scheduled visit with my doctor? Should I cancel it or is it automatically cancelled?
If our medical visit is urgent, we should go to the doctor’s office for treatment, but if it is not absolutely essential, it would be best to postpone it for a later date. In the same way, if we are afraid or prefer to opt for prevention, we should not go, as this will help the health personnel to focus all their efforts on the people who need it.
In any case, many consultations are closed or with minimum services, so we would have to check beforehand if the appointment is still scheduled, if we have not been contacted to cancel it.
However, there is the option to make medical consultations, thanks to Top Doctors’ telemedicine service. It is very simple and intuitive and will serve to reassure us in these moments of uncertainty, in which we cannot attend our appointments normally.