Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Protect yourself from the coronavirus
• Method 2 of 3: Take care of someone who is sick
• Method 3 of 3: Know what to do if you think you are infected
• Tips
• Warnings

Chances are that you are also concerned about the coronavirus (COVID-19), especially if you know that there are cases of infection in your area. The coronavirus is a family of potentially deadly viruses. The different types of coronavirus can cause respiratory diseases such as the flu and cold, but also more serious illnesses such as SARS and the so-called Middle East respiratory syndrome, MERS for short. In addition, it can produce new virus strains. Being infected with the new corona virus can make you seriously ill, but fortunately there are several things you can do to protect yourself at home, on the road and in public areas. If you think you may be infected with the new coronavirus, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Protect yourself from the coronavirus

1. Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated if a vaccine is available for you. Several vaccines have been approved for use. Whether you qualify for the vaccine depends on how old you are, whether you work in healthcare, and whether you have an underlying condition. Healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, essential professions and those with higher risk medical conditions receive the vaccine first.
   • Four vaccines have been approved for use in the EU, namely Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen.
   • You are unlikely to be able to choose which vaccine to get when you make an appointment, as supplies are limited. However, each vaccine has shown excellent protection against COVID-19 in studies and significantly reduces your chances of serious illness and hospitalization.
2. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water to minimize the chance of getting infected with the virus. The best way to avoid becoming infected with the coronavirus is to wash your hands as often as possible. Wet your hands with warm water and then put some mild soap on them. Let the soap lather for 20-30 seconds, then rinse your hands under warm, running water.
   • Always wash your hands before eating or drinking anything. Furthermore, it is best to always wash your hands when you are in public somewhere or when you are near someone who may be infected and / or ill.
3. Do not put your hands near your eyes, nose and mouth. You may come into contact with the coronavirus through a doorknob, counter or other surface. When that happens, the germs can stick to your hands, making it very easy to infect yourself if you touch your face with your dirty hands. Try to touch your eyes, nose and mouth as little as possible, in case the virus is somewhere on your hands.
   • If you do have to touch your face, wash your hands first so that you are less likely to infect yourself.
4. Stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing. The coronavirus causes a respiratory infection, so coughing and sneezing are common symptoms of infection. Coughing and sneezing also releases the virus into the air, which increases the risk of infecting others. Therefore, don't get too close to people who seem to have symptoms that indicate an upper respiratory infection.
   • If you think you can fix it, ask if he or she can stay away from you. You could say, "I found yourself coughing. I hope you feel better soon, but please keep your distance so I don't get sick too. "
5. Every day, disinfect all surfaces that are often touched with a product that kills viruses. The corona virus can attach itself to doorknobs, counters, taps and other surfaces in the house. Clean all of these surfaces daily with a spray disinfectant or disinfectant wipes.Keep the surface wet for about 10 minutes so that the cleaner effectively kills any viruses. This way you can minimize the risk of the virus remaining on the surfaces and infecting you, your housemates or your visitors.
   • At home, disinfect your front door knob, all kitchen cabinets, the cabinets in the bathroom and the taps.
   • At work, make sure that all surfaces that people often touch, such as doorknobs, handrails, tables and counters, are properly cleaned.
   • You can also make your own disinfectant by mixing 1/4 liter of bleach with 4 liters of water.
6. Always wear a single-use face mask in public. Because the coronavirus is spreading through the air, you may be able to breathe it in. Therefore, cover your nose and mouth with a mouth mask, so that you run less risk of getting infected with the virus. Always use a mouth mask only once. By using the same mask again, you increase the risk of contamination.
   • Always wash your hands after removing your face mask, in case you have the coronavirus. If you take the cap off and then immediately touch your face, you can get sick if germs get on the mouth cap and then on your hands.
   • If you are at high risk for respiratory infections or other lung conditions such as asthma or COPD, a disease in which your lungs are damaged, and you are traveling abroad, always wear a disposable mask on the plane to prevent the virus from spreading. to counteract.
7. Try not to worry too much if you are not at real risk. All kinds of myths about the coronavirus have spread through social media, sometimes causing unnecessary panic. It is advisable to check the sources you have used before making a decision.
   • For example, you do not have to assume that contact with someone from China will immediately make you ill. Recently, people from China and other parts of Asia have often been subjected to unnecessary discrimination. While most of those people are just healthy and do not have the disease more often or spread it more easily.
   • There are also lists of foods that you should avoid, which are by no means always correct and are often not based on facts. Check if it's really true by looking up some information yourself.

Method 2 of 3: Take care of someone who is sick

1. Wear personal protective equipment while caring for someone. Before taking care of the patient, put on disposable gloves, a face mask, and paper overalls. After leaving the patient's room, remove the protective clothing and put everything in a plastic garbage bag. Do not reuse used protective equipment, because the virus may be present on the protective equipment by now.
   • The corona virus spreads through the air and can adhere to your clothes. Therefore, protect yourself as best you can.
2. Do not share household items and dishes with the infected person. The coronavirus can get stuck on objects such as cups, plates, utensils and towels. If someone is sick in your home, use separate items for each of your housemates to prevent you from passing the disease on to each other.
   • Don't take any chances! If in doubt, wash the item before use, or change it to another item.
3. Wash all laundry at the highest temperature for disinfection. Clothes, bedding and towels can contain the coronavirus, so it is important to wash them thoroughly. Set the washing machine on the hottest setting and measure the recommended amount of detergent for the size of the laundry. Then do the laundry on the normal or heavier setting, depending on the model of the washing machine.
   • If the fabric can take it, add a full cap of bleach or color-safe bleach to sanitize the laundry.
4. Open a window to ventilate the room. Because the coronavirus is in the air, you run a higher risk of infection if you share a room with someone who is sick. By ventilating the room well, you can ensure that the air stays cleaner, which can significantly reduce the risk of contamination. Open a window or turn on the air conditioning.

Method 3 of 3: Know what to do if you think you are infected

1. Contact your doctor if you think you may be infected. If you have symptoms that indicate respiratory infection, you may be infected with the new coronavirus. Call your doctor and tell them what symptoms you have and ask if you should come over to get tested for the virus. Your doctor may ask you to come to the office for a laboratory test, but may recommend that you stay at home to prevent the spread of the infection. Watch for the following symptoms:
   • Cough
   • Sore throat
   • A runny nose
   • Fever
   • Headache
   • Pain in your muscles and joints and fatigue

   Tip: When you go to the doctor's office, always put on a mouth cap to prevent passing the virus on to people who have a reduced resistance. Tell your doctor if you experience any new symptoms, such as a fever or difficulty breathing.

   
   
2. Stay home if you have symptoms that indicate a respiratory infection. If you are ill, do not just go to the doctor, but stay home if necessary. You may be contagious, so you should avoid passing the virus to others. Rest as much as possible and give your body time to recover.
   • When you go to the doctor, put on a single-use face mask. That way you prevent the germs from spreading. Keep your distance and wash your hands regularly!

   COVID-19 is characterized by fever, cough and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include congestion, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, headache, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

   
   
3. Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. If you are infected with the new corona virus, chances are you will have to sneeze and cough. Protect others from the virus by covering your mouth with a tissue or, if necessary, with your sleeve. That way, you avoid spreading the virus further through the air.
   • Always have a box of tissues on hand. If you don't have a tissue or tissue paper handy, sneeze into the hollow of your elbow.

Tips

• Normally, the coronavirus has an incubation period of five days. So you probably won't notice the symptoms until a few days after you become infected with the virus.
• If you have a high fever, are coughing or have difficulty breathing and have been somewhere in the past two weeks where several people have been, or if you have been in contact with someone you think may be infected, tell the doctor so that he or she can determine whether you should also get tested.

Warnings

• A serious infection with the coronavirus can cause complications such as pneumonia. Therefore, always go to the doctor if the symptoms do not disappear or if you suffer from shortness of breath.
• Despite rumors about this on social media, the Mexican Corona beer has nothing to do with the virus. The name is no more than coincidence.
• Antibiotics only kill bacteria, not viruses. Antibiotics therefore do not protect you against the corona virus. In addition, if you use them incorrectly, antibiotics can be harmful to your health. Therefore, only take antibiotics on the advice of your doctor and follow his or her instructions as precisely as possible.