Many people would like to know the doctor answers commonly googled questions about coronavirus. The coronavirus has spread to nearly all of the world’s countries and territories.
The disease has killed more than 387,000 people and infected more than 6.5 million, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. More than 2.7 million people have recovered.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and internationally recognized organizations have changed their minds several times in answering the question of how long the coronavirus survives in the human body, how it spreads, how long it survives in any kind of plane.
However, despite the constant research on the virus, there is still a lot of confusion among people about various minor issues related to the virus. Here are 20 answers most commonly googled questions about coronavirus.
Doctor answers commonly googled questions about coronavirus
1. How long can an infected person infect another?
Scientists say that when the virus enters the body, it takes an average of five days for symptoms to appear. But in some cases, the symptoms may take longer to appear.
The incubation period is the time when a virus is present in the human body but no symptoms are seen, the incubation period is up to 14 days in the case of Covid-19 – according to the World Health Organization.
But some researchers say that this period can be up to 24 days. This means that germs can stay dormant in your body for such a long time.
If the coronavirus is first detected in a person’s body and the symptoms go away within three to five days, then it is assumed that he will not be able to infect anyone after 24 days from the first day of calculation.
However, if the infected patient is only a patient with mild symptoms and the symptoms go away within three to five days, then the person will be considered safe after 24 days, he said.
2. How many people can a patient spread the infection too?
The average number of people infected with Covid-19 at a given time in a coronavirus-infected epidemic is estimated by the number, which is represented by the letter ‘R’.
According to the World Health Organization, the average value of R in the world today is 2 to 2.5 – that is, every Covid-19 infected person is transmitting the virus to more than two people on average. However, the value of this ‘R’ varies from country to country and geographically to region.
Scientists said that pathological research is being done in different countries based on the estimates of the World Health Organization. Less than three people are infected from one person, and pathologists are researching to find out.
3. How long can the virus survive in the air?
Scientists have differing views on how long the coronavirus can survive in the air or how far it can travel in the air. Initially, it was said that the virus does not survive in the air for more than a few minutes.
However, some studies later reported that the virus could have been in the air for about half an hour – although the results of this study were not approved by the World Health Organization.
20 answers: commonly googled questions about coronavirus
Scientists said that, If a person infected with Covid-19 sneezes or coughs in one place and another person comes and sits in that place at the next moment, the next person may be infected. But if they go to that place after two-three minutes, the chances of infection are less.
However, it is also said that by touching the sneeze or cough droplet of the infected person, the virus can be transmitted to another person.
They also think that the presence of the virus in the air may vary depending on the weather. It’s theoretically possible for the virus to stay there for a long time without air, but the amount is so small that it can be ignored.
4. How long does the virus last on fruits, vegetables, clothes, or skin?
Experts believe that the duration of coronavirus varies from plane to plane. For example, on plastic and steel planes, the virus can last up to 72 hours, while on cardboard it can last up to 24 hours.
We assume the virus can survive for up to a day in waterproof plains. As such, the virus is thought to survive on human skin for up to 24 hours, They said.
Similarly, coronavirus can survive up to one day in fruits. However, they think that the virus cannot survive in clothes for long. The virus cannot survive long in all the planes that can absorb droplets.
5. Can you become infected from an infected person’s hand-made food?
If an infected person does not cook or healthily prepare food, you may be at risk from that food. When a person coughs, the tiny spit that comes out with the cough – called a ‘droplet’ – can infect you if it falls into your hand and if you hold the food with that hand.
For those who are preparing food, it is very important to wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before grabbing any food.
6. Cold weather and snow can not kill the new coronavirus?
There is no base to believe that cold weather can kill new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather.
The most forcible way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.
7. Taking a hot bath does not prevent the new coronavirus disease
Taking a bath with hot water will not prevent you from catching COVID-19. Your normal body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower.
Actually, taking a hot bath with extremely hot water can be harmful, cause it can burn you. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. To do this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection which could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
8. Can the new coronavirus be transmitted through mosquito bites & can humans get the new coronavirus from cats & dogs?
There has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes. Humans can not get the new coronavirus from cats & dogs.
This new virus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
For protecting yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water and avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
9. Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?
No. Hand dryers are not effective to kill the Covid-19 virus. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer.
10. Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus?
No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not protect against the new coronavirus. The virus is so new and different so it needs its vaccine.
Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. Though these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended in protecting your health.
11. Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus?
Garlic is a portion of healthy food and it may have some antimicrobial properties. However, no record from the current outbreak eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus.
12. Adding pepper to your soup or other meals do not prevent or cure COVID-19
Hot peppers in your food cannot prevent or cure COVID-19, though very tasty. The best way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is to keep 1 meter away from others at least and to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. It is beneficial for your general health to maintain a balanced diet, stay well hydrated, exercise regularly, and sleep well.
13. Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible?
People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to become severely ill with the virus.
WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.
14. Spraying and introducing bleach or another disinfectant into your body will not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous
Do not under any circumstance spray or introduce bleach or any other disinfectant into your body. These substances can be poisonous if ingested and cause irritation and damage.
Commonly googled questions about coronavirus: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnostics
15. Drinking methanol, ethanol or bleach does not prevent or cure COVID-19 and can be extremely dangerous
Drinking methanol, ethanol, and bleach can lead to disability and death because these are poisons. These are sometimes used in cleaning products to kill the virus on surfaces – however, you should never drink them. They will not kill the virus in your body and they will harm your internal organs.
In order to protect yourself against COVID-19, disinfect objects and surfaces, especially the ones you touch regularly. You can use diluted bleach or alcohol for that and make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
16. Exposing yourself to the sun or temperatures higher than 25C degrees does not prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
No matter how sunny or hot the weather is, you can catch COVID-19. The hot weather countries have reported cases of COVID-19. To protect yourself, make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
17. You can recover from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Catching the new coronavirus does not mean you will have it for life
Most of the people who catch COVID-19 can come round and eliminate the virus from their bodies. If you catch the disease, you must treat your symptoms. If you have a cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early – but call your health facility by telephone first. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
18. Being able to hold your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort does not mean you are free from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or any other lung disease
Dry cough, tiredness, and fever are the most common symptoms of COVID-19. Some people may develop more severe forms of the disease, such as pneumonia. You cannot confirm it with this breathing exercise, which can even be dangerous. The best way to confirm if you have the virus-producing COVID-19 disease is with a laboratory test.
19. Drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous
Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can increase your risk of health problems.
20. COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to maintain a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others and frequently cleaning your hands. To do this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Which of these ‘20 answers most commonly googled questions about coronavirus’ was your favorite? Let us know in the comment section below.
Sources : Myth busters, BBC News, Al Jazeera
Doctor answers commonly googled questions about coronavirus
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