Preventing Coronavirus – What You Should Know To Protect Your Health.

Following the announcement of the first recorded case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria, It is part of our social responsibility to inform Nigerians on all they need to know about this deadly virus, it’s symptoms, method of transmission and prevention. This information is intended to serve as a resource for our community and detail how Legit9ja is prepared to treat the Coronavirus and protect patients, the public and our caregivers.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tracts of birds and mammals, including humans. Doctors associate them with the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and they can also affect the gut.

Symptoms of coronavirus

Cold- or flu-like symptoms usually set in from 2–4 days after a coronavirus infection and are typically mild. However, symptoms vary from person-to-person, and some forms of the virus can be fatal.

Symptoms include:

sneezing
runny nose
fatigue
cough
fever in rare cases
sore throat
exacerbated asthma

How can it be transmitted?

Limited research is available on how HCoV spreads from one person to the next. However, researchers believe that the viruses transmit via fluids in the respiratory system, such as mucus.

Coronaviruses can spread in the following ways:

1. Coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth can disperse droplets into the air.
2. Touching or shaking hands with a person who has the virus can pass the virus between individuals.
3. Making contact with a surface or object that has the virus and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that several groups of people have the highest risk of developing complications due to COVID-19. These groups include:

1. Young children
2. People aged 65 years or older
3. Women who are pregnant
   

PREVENTING CORONAVIRUS

All Nigerians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families, following the precautions below:

1. Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
2. Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between you and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
3. People coughing persistently or sneezing should stay indoors or keep a social distance, but not mix with a crowd.
4. Ensure that you and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene by covering mouths and noses with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing or coughing. You can also sneeze or cough into your sleeve at the bent elbow.Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
5. Stay indoors if you feel unwell with symptoms, such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call Health Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.
6. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, the Social Media, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.

N:B This information is intended to serve as a resource for our community and detail how Legit9ja is prepared to treat the Coronavirus and protect patients, the public and our caregivers.