StemCell Therapy

COVID-19, better known as coronavirus, has trampled its way across Asia, swept through Europe and, to much Americans dismay, touched down in the USA.

As of March 16, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported cases in 49 states with a total of 3,487 infected persons and 68 deaths.

With cases popping up across the country and social media spreading some of the pandemics darkest rumors and conspiracies, its no surprise citizens are stocking up on hand sanitizer and hoarding face masks and toilet paper. But are these measures enough to ward off a community outbreak and stop future transmissions?

To answer this question, its important to first understand who among the population is at risk.

According to the CDC, early information out of China shows that some people are at higher risk for serious illness than others. Those people are older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. Studies show young, healthy persons may not be as susceptible to COVID-19; an unsettling twist for scientists considering asymptomatic persons may be unknowingly spreading the disease within their communities.

Everyone thinks that theyre going to die if they catch it (COVID-19) but thats just not true, said Dr. Robert Finberg, chair of the Department of Medicine at UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Medical School in Worcester. Healthy young people are not at high risk. Its the elderly, specifically those over 80, and those with severe immune dysfunctions, who are dying. Its our responsibility as a community to protect them.

People are becoming overly consumed about self-preservation when, in reality, the data shows illness will be mild for the majority who get sick, Finberg said.

UMass Memorials biggest concern is there will not be enough resources should everyone flock to the hospital when they develop symptoms.

We simply dont have enough beds, said Finberg about UMass Memorial Medical Group. We are recommending that people who are not in high-risk groups (young people) not come to the hospital if they think they have the virus.

This may seem like a contradictory statement, coming from a healthcare facility, but its one that is being echoed across the country. According to the CDC, people who are mildly ill should be isolated at home for the duration of their illness and only seek medical attention should symptoms worsen.

So, what should young, non-immunocompromised people do to ward off sickness and prepare for an outbreak?

Wash your hands! Gosh, we are taught this in kindergarten! says Angela Wilson, clinical microbiology instructor at Old Dominion University in Virginia.

Wash your hands and keep them away from your mouth, nose, eyes, and portals of entry. Stay away from those who are infected and dont touch contaminated surfaces, Wilson said.

As face masks continue to fly off the shelf, a global shortage is predicted to only get worse. This is a serious problem for medical personnel who rely on masks to prevent viral spread. However, contrary to popular thought, masks are not recommended as a preventative measure, and the CDC does not advise healthy people to wear them.

If youre healthy, it doesnt really make sense, said Finberg. If you get the virus on your hands and then adjust the mask therefore touching your face you are effectively bypassing the mask and rendering it useless. If youre not washing your hands, the face mask wont help you.

If youre sick, a mask could help contain the spread, but its not something that we are recommending healthy people go out and buy, said Finberg.

Besides handwashing, another way to protect yourself from contracting COVID-19 is to be cognizant of what youre touching.

CDC suggests whenever possible to avoid high-touch surfaces in public places and to practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces within your home. Surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, handles, faucets, sinks and cell phones.

To ensure youre cleaning with the right products, the Center for Biocide Chemistries has produced a list of COVID-19 Fighting Products. This list, which can be found on the CDCs website as well as on the American Chemistry Councils website, includes brands such as Purell, Clorox, Lysol, and Simple Green regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This is a voluntary listing of products that are EPA regulated, said Komal Jain, executive director of the Center for Biocide Chemistries. The EPA sets forth criteria that says these companies must provide data proving that the product destroys a virus that is harder to kill than COVID-19.

According to the American Chemistry Council, viruses can be generally categorized into three groups, according to the structure. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill. All of the fighting products on the COVID-19 Fighting Products list have been proven strong enough to neutralize the virus.

Despite preventative action, the pandemic of COVID-19 has reached our borders and, collectively, health professionals are all saying the same thing communal outbreaks are inevitable.

The number countries are on the CDCs Avoid Non-essential Travel list has risen to about 30, including China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. Most recently, the U.S. Department of State advised U.S. travelers, particularly those with underlying health issues, avoid cruise ship travel.

Considering the risk of a localized outbreak, the CDC recommends all persons take the below immediate preparedness steps:

Its important to stay calm, said Wilson. The word outbreak tends to breed panic. This is an old virus, but its spreading in a new way. People need to keep things in perspective, keeping in mind that those who are not faring well would also not fare well against the flu virus, but no one is talking about that.

The disease is currently thought to spread via respiratory droplets, warranting precautions against COVID-19 should mimic that of seasonal flu prevention. Consistent handwashing, habitual disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, and, within reason, avoidance of public gatherings, is the best way to protect yourself from getting sick.

This is not the apocalypse, said Finberg. But it is an unfortunate pandemic that we are going to suffer through. We are asking that people focus on protecting their older relatives, especially those who are infirm. Focus on sanitation, that is whats vital.

Read more here:
Protect and prepare: As coronavirus spreads, health officials urge people to be smart and think about how their actions impact others - Worcester...

This entry was posted on March 24, 2020 at 3:44 am and is filed under Preventative Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |