A crisis generally evokes confusion, anxiety and for some fear; and this pandemic is no different. To a large degree, the anxiety is due to the fact that there are so many unknowns – which is understandable as this virus is new.
As a naturopathic doctor, what I find encouraging is that there have been hundreds of research papers published in the last few months. Doctors and researchers are madly working to understand how to manage COVID-19. Rest assured that the information we are gathering is helping the medical profession figure out what needs to be done. I trust the following answers some of your questions:
Q: What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
A: The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are a fever, dry cough and shortness of breath or tiredness. A person might have additional symptoms such as aches and pains, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea, but at least two of the three main symptoms are generally present.
A: Anyone can get COVID-19, but currently older adults that have hypertension, heart disease, diabetes or lung disease are at a higher risk of developing serious complications. It is important that everyone be diligent and take the proper precautions.
Q: How is COVID-19 spread?
A: The virus is believed to be spread primarily by person-to-person through respiratory droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected individual. It can also be transmitted by touching surfaces
where infected droplets have recently landed.
Q: Is the COVID-19 virus airborne?
A: NO! COVID-19 virus is NOT airborne. It is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The respiratory droplets quickly fall to the ground or on a surface. They only stay in the air for a very short period of time.
Q: How long do the respiratory droplets last on surfaces?
Q: Why the 6 Foot Rule?
Q: What is Social Distancing? Why is it important?
A: Social distancing, quarantines and self-isolation are terms in wide use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing involves avoiding crowds and keeping a safe distance between you and others when shopping or going for a walk. It is a preventative measure through limiting inter-personal contact. Until we understand more about COVID-19, it is important to follow the social distancing guidelines set by your government.
Q: How can I protect myself from
COVID-19?
A: The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being directly exposed. Four things to keep in mind:
- The most important is to avoid close contact with anyone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Wash
your hands frequently especially after coughing or sneezing and being in public places. Wash your hands
with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not
available, use hand sanitizer. Avoid
touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands after touching surfaces that others would have commonly touched. - Practice social
distancing. - Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Q: If you have symptoms or if you have tested positive for COVID-19, is it important to self-quarantine?
A: YES. First and foremost, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 it is important to call your local public health for testing. Anyone who has symptoms or has been tested positive MUST self-quarantine as directed by public health, usually for 14 days. When self-quarantining it is imperative that you stay home, avoid visitors, and stay at least six-feet away from other people in the household. It is also important to avoid sharing things like towels and utensils and that you use standard hygiene measures. Ask friends and family to do your shopping and drop groceries or other supplies outside your door, in order to limit personal contact. If your symptoms worsen, call public health and they will direct you further.
Q: How long is the COVID-19 incubation
period?
days! The time between exposure and showing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus can
be 1-14 days. Most commonly it is about 5 days.
Q: What is flattening the curve? Why is
it important?
A: Flattening
or slowing the rate of infection helps prevent overloading of local healthcare
providers. Social distancing helps to spread out the rate of people with severe symptoms so that the hospitals are able to effectively manage the situation and it gives researchers and other medical professions more time to understand how to manage COVID-19.
pet?
There is no evidence that pets can carry the COVID-19 virus. However like
any surface that an infected person sneezes or coughs on, infected droplets can be
carried on pet fur for a short period of time. Anytime you happen to cough or sneeze on your pet, please wipe their fur down with a damp towel before another family member or another person interacts with them.
Q: Is it helpful to wear gloves?
A: Gloves are necessary for those in the service industry, especially with those involved with food preparation or handling. For the general population, gloves are not necessary. Gloves, whether they are latex, cloth or winter gloves, can all carry the virus. When you touch a surface that has respiratory droplets from the virus then the virus may be transferred to your gloves. My experience is that people are more likely to touch their face while wearing gloves than they are to touch their face if they are hanging onto a disinfectant wipe or tissue. Keep in mind, healthcare workers have an increased risk of exposure and wearing gloves is important for them.
Q: What is the overall mortality rate of COVID-19?
Q: How many people who get infected will have significant symptoms?
A: Research currently indicates that about 80% to 90% of those that have the virus will be asymptomatic or will have mild or moderate symptoms. Which means that about 10% to 20% will have concerning symptoms that will require medical intervention or hospitalization. That being said, it is important for everyone to practice proper hygiene and social distancing.
Q: How many people will someone who is sick infect?
Q: How long is someone who is infected able to infect someone else?
A: It is generally believed that someone who is showing symptoms can affect someone else for about 10 days. The term viral shedding relates to the ability of the virus to move from one part of the body to another (i.e., from your hands to your mouth) and from an infected person to the environment (i.e., from an infected person’s hands to a hard surface) where it can affect others. The current research indicates that it less likely that someone who is symptom-free will affect others with the virus.
Q: What is the difference between COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2?
Q: What is the source of SARS-CoV-2?
Q: How can your naturopathic practitioner help?
A: The naturopathic community is here to help you through this pandemic. Check out our blog “A Crash Course on Respiratory Health” The focus of naturopathic practice is to provide:
- Health Promotion: guidance on a healthy lifestyle
- Prevention: reinforcing the importance of hygiene and social distancing
- Supportive Care: providing guidance on how to support your overall health. Currently there are no proven treatments – conventional or naturopathic – for COVID-19.
- Recovery: helping patients recover and reestablish their health if they have had any symptoms.
Q: What is best to do when home in self-isolation or quarantine for a couple of weeks?
- First and foremost, create a routine. Plan out your day. Avoid the tendency to sit around and watch movies or television all day.
- Exercise is important. This might be a great time to focus on stretching, walking (even if it is around your house) or other activities you can do at home.
- Work on a project. Take the time to clean out the garage, paint a room in the house, clean out those closets that you never get to, or other tasks at home.
- Eat healthy. This is a time to focus on healthy eating. Avoid filling up on junk food and high starch foods. To help the body stay healthy, eat your fruit and vegetables, adequate protein and healthy starches.
- Keep in touch with friends and family. Self-isolation and quarantine can be quite uncomfortable for may people. It is important to reach out to others.
- Mindfulness and meditation are very helpful in times of stress. If you are not familiar with these coping strategies there are a number of apps that you can download and enjoy.
- Limit the amount of time that you are listening to the news. Think of news, especially “bad news” as a challenging workout for your mind. Like any muscle, it can handle a bit, but it can’t handle too much!
By ensuring a holistic approach to this problem, we will get through this pandemic together. As new information and research is available the global health care community will master this infection as it has all others.
