Can you determine if you have coronavirus yourself? Is holding your breath for ten seconds a method of self-diagnosis? Is it possible to diagnose coronavirus infection without visiting a doctor?
Although people continue to take necessary precautions against the spread of the coronavirus, concerns about the virus have also led to widespread misinformation about how to prevent or diagnose the disease.
Earlier this year, following an outbreak of a mysterious virus in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization identified a new type of coronavirus, the novel coronavirus “2019-nCoV”, which can be fatal.
The organization named it Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 ) and named the disease it causes “COVID-19”.
The disease spread from Wuhan to the rest of China, and then to other countries around the world. To date, the number of infections worldwide has exceeded 208,420, with 8,273 deaths.
Let’s start with the most widespread message on social media, which “wrongly” offers excellent advice from Japanese doctors treating coronavirus: People who can hold their breath for ten seconds without coughing can be sure they are not infected with coronavirus.
That’s not true, says Lauren Rauch, a community emergency physician at Antelope Valley Hospital in Los Angeles, stressing that there is no relationship between how long you can hold your breath and contracting the coronavirus.
The post also conveys “false” information, stating that “Stanford University professors say that drinking water constantly, at least every 15 minutes, can help get rid of the coronavirus before it causes infection.”
This is because the process removes the virus from the mouth or throat to the stomach, where it is destroyed by stomach acid. The idea that warm or salt water kills the virus is completely false, says Lauren Rauch.
It’s also a misconception that SK virus infection always begins with a sore throat. In fact, the virus typically starts with a fever and a dry cough. While some people may experience a sore throat, this is less common.
What are the main symptoms?
In a recent analysis by the World Health Organization of more than 55,000 cases of coronavirus in China, these were identified as the most common symptoms, and the proportion of people who experienced them:
1. Fever: 88%
2. Dry cough: 68%
3. Fatigue: 38% 4. Mucus
or thick phlegm from the lungs: 33%
5. Shortness of breath: 19%
6. Bone or joint pain: 15%
7. Sore throat: 14%
8. Headache: 14%
9. Chills: 11%
10. Nausea or vomiting: 5%
11. Blocked nose: 5%
12. Diarrhea: 4%
13. Coughing up blood: 1%
14. Eye swelling: 1%
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infection of the lower respiratory tract, which consists of the trachea, bronchi and alveoli in the lungs, meaning that most symptoms appear in the chest and lungs.
This is different from common colds that cause upper respiratory tract inflammation, where you suffer from a runny nose and sinus congestion.
Good news
Most people infected in China – about 80% – experience mild to moderate symptoms, meaning they can be treated at home. The average time between infection and the onset of symptoms is about 5 days.
In China, about 14% of people diagnosed with coronavirus have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and low blood oxygen levels, and require supplemental oxygen and sometimes specialized equipment to help them breathe.
The people who appear to be at greater risk of serious complications and developing a critical condition – between 1 and 20 – are those over the age of 60, and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or cancer.
What is the correct procedure when infection is suspected?
The truth is that there is no such thing as self-testing or self-diagnosis of coronavirus. If you suspect you have the virus, contact your doctor.
Do not go directly to the clinic or hospital, as you may risk spreading the virus if you are infected. Contact your doctor or the health authorities in your country, who will arrange for you to be examined.
When you contact the doctor, you will be informed by phone if you meet the criteria for the suspected virus, and testing options will be discussed, including whether you need immediate treatment, safe transport to quarantine or isolation, or home quarantine only.
In addition, if you think you may have coronavirus, avoid contact with others, do not share personal items such as towels and bedding, cover your mouth and nose when coughing, sneezing and yawning, and wash your hands frequently.
If you have a mask, wear it to protect others, and keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from others.
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