VIDOC-19 - SARS-CoV-2 - 2019-nCoV
The best way to prevent and slow transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads.
The current goal is to control the transmission of the virus, to vaccinate, while continuing to protect those at increased risk of complications (particularly vulnerable people) and to enable health services to manage severe cases.
Transmission of COVID-19 by asymptomatic individuals :
It has been estimated that transmission of asymptomatic individuals accounted for more than half of all transmissions. In addition to identifying and isolating individuals with symptomatic IDVOC-19 , effective control of the spread will require reducing the risk of transmission from infected individuals who do not present symptoms. These findings suggest that measures such as masking, hand hygiene, social distancing and strategic testing of people who are not ill will be essential to slow the spread of COVID-19 until safe and effective vaccines are available and widely used.*
New, more contagious mutations
The emergence of new variants: B.1.1.7 in the United Kingdom, and variants B.1.351 containing the mutation N501Y.V2 in South Africa and Brazil (P1), have raised many concerns. Mutations appear to be a natural by-product of viral replication. As of December 28, 2020, this variant accounted for approximately 28% of SARS-CoV-2 infections in England, and genetic population models suggest that it is a natural by-product of viral replication. is spreading 56% faster than the others. lineages. While public health interventions such as masks, physical distance and limitations on large gatherings should remain effective, control of a more transmissible variant would likely require stricter enforcement and widespread adoption of these measures.
Vaccines are still effective against these new variants. Since current vaccines elicit an immune response to the entire SPIKE protein, it is hoped that effective protection can still occur despite some changes in the antigenic sites in SARS-CoV-2 variants.** It is still not known whether strain N501Y.V2 can seriously reduce vaccine efficacy.
**Lauring AS, Hodcroft EB. Genetic Variants of SARS-CoV-2-What Do They Mean? JAMA. January 6, 2021
Duration of immunity after COVID-19
Approximately 95% of subjects retain an immune memory ~ 6 months after infection.***
SwissCovid
Symptoms of COVID-19 : Where to take the test?
VIDEO
What is the new coronavirus?
What are SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19?
The new coronavirus was discovered in China in late 2019 due to an unusual increase in pneumonia cases in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The virus was called SARS-CoV-2 and belongs to the same family as the pathogens of "Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)" and "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)".
On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the disease caused by the new coronavirus: COVID-19The abbreviation "coronavirus disease 2019" or "Coronavirus disease 2019".
The information currently available suggests that animals have transmitted the virus to humans and that it is now spreading from person to person. The origin is uncertain although bats are involved.
Contamination and risks
Hygiene rules :
Why are these standards of hygiene and behaviour so important?
You can make a difference!
The new coronavirus is a completely new virus against which people are not yet immune. As a result, it can cause many new cases at the same time. That said, we need to stop its spread as much as possible. Follow the recommendations of SOCIAL DISTANCINGUISHMENT and Hand Hygiene !
In particular, people who are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill should be protected. This group includes people over 65 years of age and people of any age with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer, and diseases and therapies that weaken the immune system.
Who is in the at-risk group?
People over the age of 65 and those with any of the following previous conditions, even younger, are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Chronic respiratory diseases, COPD, asthma, etc.
- Diseases and therapies that weaken the immune system.
- Cancer
- Obesity
How is the new coronavirus transmitted?
Sick people are the main source of transmission, but the asymptomatic carriers play such an important role because they unknowingly transmit.
Who are the asymptomatic carriers:
- Infected people do not show symptoms until several days after infection and can transmit it during this period before they know they are going to get sick.
- Some people develop no symptoms, or only mild symptoms, the children for example, which can still act as vectors of the disease.
The new coronavirus is transmitted mainly by direct and prolonged contact: if it is at a distance of less than 2 metres and for more than 15 minutes with a carrier of the virus, the risk of transmission is increased. Transmission occurs through small droplets: if a sick person sneezes or coughs, the virus can reach the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth or eyes of others.
Main modes of transmission of the new coronavirus:
- In close and prolonged contact when you stand within 2 meters of a sick person for more than 15 minutes.
- By droplets If a sick person coughs or sneezes, viruses can reach directly into the mucous membranes of other people's nose, mouth or eyes.
- Via the hands Contagious droplets from coughing or sneezing are released on the hands. Viruses can also be found on a surface that you touch. They reach the mouth, nose or eyes when you touch them.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
What are the symptoms VIDEO English
What are the symptoms VIDEO English
What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus?
The most common are fever, cough, loss of taste and smell, and shortness of breath. The severity of these symptoms may vary. There may also be complications, such as pneumonia.
Some sick people also have a loss of smell (anosmia) or taste (agueusia), aches and pains, digestive or eye problems (conjunctivitis) and fatigue.
There is also the possibility of being infected without showing symptoms. The asymptomatic carriers, including children can transmit the disease. Infected people can also transmit the virus a few days before showing symptoms, without knowing it. Wearing a mask, even a homemade one, can help limit the spread.
I have a fever and a cough, what should I do?
If you have symptoms of the disease, you should stay home to avoid infecting anyone.
By symptoms of the disease, we mean..:
- Fever (body temperature above 38°C, accompanied by a feeling of fatigue, sometimes accompanied by muscle pain)
- dry cough, which may be accompanied by a sore throat.
- loss of taste or loss of smell
If the symptoms are mild, you can take care of yourself. To avoid infecting others, do not leave the house until 10 days and 48 hours after your symptoms have gone away.
If you are in the risk group that could make you seriously ill or if your symptoms get worse: call a doctor. The doctor will decide if a medical diagnosis is necessary or if you just need to stay home and take care of yourself.
How is the new coronavirus treated?
Currently, there is no specific treatment for VIDOC-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. Treatment is limited to symptom relief. Infected people isolate themselves to protect others.
Mild illness - Most people with VIDOC-19 have only a mild illness and can rest at home until they recover. People with mild symptoms seem to improve after about 2 weeks, but this is not the same for everyone.
If you are recovering from VIDOC-19, it is important to stay home and away from others until your doctor or nurse tells you it is safe to resume your normal activities. This decision will depend on how long you have had symptoms and, in some cases, whether you have had a negative test (showing that the virus is no longer in your body).
In serious casesIn most cases, treatment in the intensive care unit is required. Artificial ventilation may be required. The number of ventilators and intensive care spaces are limited.
Doctors are studying several different drugs to see if they might work to treat COVID-19. In some cases, doctors may recommend these drugs.
From vaccination campaigns are underway on a global scale.
The serological test
This test detects antibodies in the blood and can tell if a person has been infected with CA-SARS-Cov-2 in the past. Having antibodies does not guarantee immunity. At present, this test is being proposed in a study context in order to better understand its usefulness.
Should I test myself?
To find out what my risk is and if I need to consult, answer the evaluation questionnaire :
Prevention
Can COVID-19 be avoided?
There are things you can do to reduce your chances of catching COVID-19. These steps are essential for everyone, especially since the infection spreads very quickly. But they are extremely important for people who are 65 years old or older or who have other health problems. To help slow the spread of infection:
If you have any symptoms (difficulty breathing, cough and fever), stay in. Avoid crowds. In case of a positive test: isolation. In case of contact with a person testing positive: quarantine.
VIDEO explanatory self-isolation ENGLISH
Self-isolation explanatory VIDEO FRANÇAIS
Avoid contact with other people. Learn about self-isolation. Even if you are healthy, limiting contact with others can help slow the spread of the disease.
Wash your hands thoroughly. Hand washing plays a key role in hygiene, so it is important to wash your hands regularly and take care of them to protect yourself. This is especially important after being in public and touching other people or surfaces. Be sure to rub your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, cleaning your wrists, fingernails and between your fingers. Then rinse your hands and dry them with a paper towel that you can throw away.
How do I wash my hands? : VIDEO
Keep your distance from other people. You can contract the new coronavirus when you are less than two metres away from a sick person for more than 15 minutes. By keeping your distance, you protect yourself and others.
Do not shake hands. From what we just touched, our hands aren't clean. Infectious droplets from coughing and sneezing may be on our hands. These droplets can reach our mouth, nose or eyes if we touch them. It is therefore important to avoid shaking hands.
Coughing and sneezing into a handkerchief or the crook of the elbow. Blowing your nose, sneezing, spitting or coughing: viruses spread quickly if you don't follow the rules of behaviour in this regard. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, preferably with a tissue.
If you don't have a tissue on you, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow and not your hands. If you still use your hands, wash them immediately and thoroughly with soap and water, if possible.
Always call before going to the doctor or emergency room.. If you have only mild symptoms such as fever and cough, you do not need to call a doctor. Their capabilities, as well as those of health care institutions, are limited.
If you are in one of the high-risk groups or if your symptoms worsen (high fever, difficulty breathing or respiratory distress), call your doctor or health care institution.
Avoid touching your face with your hands, especially your mouth, nose or eyes.
Wearing the mask
Here's how to use a VIDEO® Hygiene Mask
He's ordered to wear a mask if you can't keep your distance. Wear a face mask if you are sick, have flu-like symptoms, or are caring for someone who has (or may have) COVID-19.
Wearing a mask when the distance cannot be kept also limits the risk of transmission. The mask protects more effectively when used by a carrier of the virus. By wearing a mask, I protect others.
Experts recommend wearing masks, even homemade ones, in public places where other measures of social distancing are difficult to maintain (e.g. grocery stores and pharmacies), particularly in areas of high community transmission. This is particularly important to avoid asymptomatic carriers to unknowingly transmit the virus to healthy people.
Consumer and improvised quality face masks are nearly equivalent or better than their non-N95/FFP medical respiratory mask counterparts.***
How do you make a mask at home? :
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis.. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counters, handles, desks, telephones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counters, handles, desks, telephones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
If we all follow these rules, we will help to improve the protection of these people. In doing so, we also help to ensure that people with serious illnesses continue to receive good treatment in health care facilities, as consultation rooms and ventilators in intensive care units are available on a limited basis.
If possible, continue to work from home.
Wherever possible, provide tracing coordinates.
Explanatory video on contact tracing
What can I do about stress and anxiety?
It is normal to feel anxiety or worry about COVID-19. You can take care of yourself and your family by trying to:
● Take breaks from the newspapers and the news
● Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods
● Try to find activities that you like and that you can do at home.
● Keep in touch with friends and family members
In psychological distress ?
Call for help COVID-19 :
0848 133 133
143 (Extended hand)
147 (Youth)
For more information click on the following links:
Detailed information
Links : click on the images :
Hotlines COVID-19 :
+41 58 463 00 00 (FOPH 24/24)
0800 316 800 (8:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
021 338 08 08 (Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)
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