In the case of cough and fever: they now behave correctly
For weeks, we read and hear continuously the news about the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, triggers of the lung disease COVID-19. But what exactly is supposed to be doing, if in a self, suddenly, symptoms such as cough or fever occur?
What steps must I take, how I take good care of myself and how I protect my environment as best as possible before the infection? The American health authority “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” (CDC) and the Federal centre for health education (BZgA) to provide answers.
Important Note
The most important thing in advance: If, in addition to cough and fever one of the following symptoms occurs, get immediately medical assistance under the telephone number 112:
- Shortness of breath,
- persistent pain or pressure in the chest,
- new onset of confusion or inability to get up,
- bluish lips or complexion
Other than the above-mentioned symptoms get, please help, if you think of the complaints as threatening or very serious.
Important: Share the phone with that you may be at COVID-19 ill, and set you, if possible a protective mask on, as soon as help arrives.
1. How do I know if I am suffering from CODIV-19?
The only way to reliably find out whether you have a flu-like infection or COVID-19, is the implementation of a test. However, the capacity for these Tests are limited.
The Federal centre for health education (BZgA) provides information on a special website about the novel Coronavirus, and explains how the decision for or against testing will be made. If, in addition to the symptoms of illness, such as cough or fever, the following points apply to you, is a Test recommended:
“If you are sick and have had in the last 14 days of close contact with someone with the Coronavirus have been demonstrated in the laboratory, if you have signs of disease, such as shortness of breath, and you belong to a risk group: you have a pre-existing condition or are older 60 than years, if you have signs of disease, and in their work or volunteer activity with people come in contact with a high risk for severe disease and, especially, must be protected; for example, in the doctor’s office, hospital, or care for the elderly“, the BZgA.
You can answer one of these three points is “Yes”, please contact us by telephone to the responsible health authority, your GP practice or you can get a new phone number 116117 for more information.
Caution: Regardless of whether or not a Test is carried out or not, you should at the moment with symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, or shortness of breath as a precaution, self-isolate, so in quarantine issued.
This also applies if you have no symptoms, but in the last fourteen days of close contact with a people had been tested positive for Corona.
2. You stay home
The CDC advises to leave the house or the apartment during the quarantine or self-isolation, only in case of emergency, to receive medical care. Most people who suffer from COVID-19, have mild illness and do not need any special medical care. Normally, it is sufficient rest and drink enough water.
Should you need medical advice or assistance, call your GP practice, the 116117, or in the case of emergency, the 112.
3. Keep distance to other people in your apartment
The contact with family members, flatmates or Pets should be kept to an absolute Minimum, the recommendation from the American health authority:
“Stay as far as possible in a certain space and distance from other people and Pets in your apartment. You should also use, if available, a separate bathroom. If you have to stay with other people or animals in or outside the home, wear a face cover made of fabric.“
4. Monitor Your Symptoms
You should observe self well to changes in their health care. If you are standing with your family doctor, your family doctor or the health Department in contact, follow the instructions.
Here, too, the CDC advises: If breath complaints, you should seek medical aid.
5. Call in doctor’s offices, always
Visits to the doctor are permitted to perform only if they are unavoidable. For this case, the American health authority recommends: “If you have a doctor’s appointment that cannot be moved, call your doctor’s office and they say that they have COVID-19 or could have. This will help the practice to protect themselves and other patients.“
6. You wear when in contact with the other Mouth guard
It should not prevent you from staying in the vicinity of other people or of animals, the Council of the CDC, the nose and mouth with a protective mask to cover your fabric. If you have protection no Mouth, improvise with a cloth.
If you may be suffering from respiratory complaints and, therefore, no mask, coughing and sneezing, not necessarily in a cloth handkerchief or the crook of your arm. You keep in any case, if possible at least 1.5 metres distance to the other, in order to protect you from infection.
7. Pay attention to good cough and Nieshygiene
The pathogens are transmitted by droplet infection, mainly by coughing or Sneezing. Therefore, you should cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
It is best to use paper tissues and dispose of them after a single use in a dustbin which is lined with a garbage bag. These bag should be replaced regularly.
The CDC advises, directly after coughing, Sneezing or blowing your Nose to wash the hands: “Wash immediately for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.“
8. You wash often your hands
In General, you should wash your hands more often than usual, and each Time for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. “This is especially important, after you cleaned your nose, coughed or sneezed on the toilet and before eating or preparing food,” emphasizes the American health authority. If water and soap are not available, fall back, if possible, to hand sanitizer.
“Use a hand sanitizer alcohol-based with a minimum of 60% alcohol, covered all surfaces of your hands and RUB the hands together until they feel dry,” so the recommendation of the CDC.
In addition, you should not touch nose, mouth and eyes with unwashed hands.
9. Please do not share any household items
Since the infection can be done with the novel Coronavirus, probably, lubrication infection, should you household items don’t share with others. Glasses, cups, plates, Cutlery, but also towels and bedding include.
After use you should clean the crockery thoroughly with water and detergent or in the dishwasher. Towels and bedding should be regularly washed and changed.
10. Clean frequently touched surfaces daily
To avoid the contamination by smear infection, is the CDC’s tips for the cleaning of surfaces with which they come in frequent contact. This includes phones, remote controls, medical measuring according to the CDC, appliances, table tops, door handles, bathroom faucets, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables:
“Clean and disinfect contact intensive surfaces in your ‘sick room’, and bathroom. Let someone else surfaces in common areas clean and disinfect, but not your bedroom and bathroom. If a nurse or other Person must clean the bedroom or bathroom of a sick Person and disinfected, should you do this according to your needs. The caregiver/other Person should wear a mask, and for as long as possible to wait, after the sick Person has used the bathroom.“
For cleaning household cleaners and disinfectants should be used, so the CDC is: “Clean the area or object with soap and water or other detergent if it is dirty. Then use a household disinfectant. Make sure that you follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products are recommended to keep the surface for several minutes, wet, to ensure the germ killing. Many also recommend precautions such as Wearing gloves and good ventilation during the use of the product.“
If necessary, inform yourself in your house, medical practice, or under the 116117, what are the cleaning agents and disinfectants are effective against the Virus.
11. When can I lift the quarantine or self-isolation?
When you are allowed to leave the quarantine, the local health Department.
In the case of a precautionary self-isolation, you should check with your GP practice, or information at the phone number 116117, or online on the information page by the Federal centre for health education get. (kh)