What is coronavirus and what are the symptoms?
March 1, 2020
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There have so far been more than 82,000 global cases of the new coronavirus, more than 78,000 of them in China. The disease, which has spread to more than 50 countries, has been declared a global health emergency, and more than 2,700 people have died.
I am breastfeeding my five-month-old baby - what should I do if I get coronavirus?
Mothers pass on protection from infection to their babies through their breast milk. If your body is producing antibodies to fight the infection, these would be passed on through breast feeding.
Breastfeeding mums should follow the same advice as anyone else over reducing risk. This is to cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough, throw away a used tissue straight away and wash hands frequently, while trying to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
My mother-in-law, in her 80s, regularly attends church. What's the advice about sharing a communion cup?
A number of churches have issued advice regarding coronavirus. The Church of England says that there is no government advice suggesting that the use of shared communion cups should be suspended.
But it says that intinction - where the communion bread is dipped in wine - is not recommended as it can allow infections to spread, and pose a risk to people with certain allergies.
And it adds that churches should already be following best-hygiene practices, including advising priests and other church officials at communion to ensure their hands are clean.
Until there is an outbreak in the UK - and it's being passed from person to person, which isn't happening at the moment - sharing a communion cup is no more dangerous than it would be during the average winter when flu is circulating.
How do you stand insurance-wise if you have to be quarantined during an overseas holiday?
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says this depends on the type of holiday you booked.
If you are quarantined while on holiday, you should first approach the company through which you booked it for advice on what to do.
It is expected that the government or authority which imposed the quarantine will cover the costs of food and accommodation.
If the quarantine period extends beyond the time that you would have spent on holiday you should contact your travel insurer. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with an extended stay,
If your holiday is booked with a firm that is protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme, then you should be covered for the cost of the return flights.
That usually applies to package holidays only. For flight-only arrangements, the ABI says, this will depend on your travel insurance cover.
In addition, if you have arranged your own travel and accommodation you should check the details of your insurance cover.
I am breastfeeding my five-month-old baby - what should I do if I get coronavirus?
Mothers pass on protection from infection to their babies through their breast milk. If your body is producing antibodies to fight the infection, these would be passed on through breast feeding.
Breastfeeding mums should follow the same advice as anyone else over reducing risk. This is to cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough, throw away a used tissue straight away and wash hands frequently, while trying to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
My mother-in-law, in her 80s, regularly attends church. What's the advice about sharing a communion cup?
A number of churches have issued advice regarding coronavirus. The Church of England says that there is no government advice suggesting that the use of shared communion cups should be suspended.
But it says that intinction - where the communion bread is dipped in wine - is not recommended as it can allow infections to spread, and pose a risk to people with certain allergies.
And it adds that churches should already be following best-hygiene practices, including advising priests and other church officials at communion to ensure their hands are clean.
Until there is an outbreak in the UK - and it's being passed from person to person, which isn't happening at the moment - sharing a communion cup is no more dangerous than it would be during the average winter when flu is circulating.
How do you stand insurance-wise if you have to be quarantined during an overseas holiday?
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says this depends on the type of holiday you booked.
If you are quarantined while on holiday, you should first approach the company through which you booked it for advice on what to do.
It is expected that the government or authority which imposed the quarantine will cover the costs of food and accommodation.
If the quarantine period extends beyond the time that you would have spent on holiday you should contact your travel insurer. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for out-of-pocket costs associated with an extended stay,
If your holiday is booked with a firm that is protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing scheme, then you should be covered for the cost of the return flights.
That usually applies to package holidays only. For flight-only arrangements, the ABI says, this will depend on your travel insurance cover.
In addition, if you have arranged your own travel and accommodation you should check the details of your insurance cover.
How dangerous is coronavirus for people who, like me, have asthma?
Respiratory infections, such as coronavirus, can trigger the symptoms of asthma.
Asthma UK advises those who are concerned about the virus to follow a series of steps to manage their asthma.
These include taking a preventer inhaler daily as prescribed. This helps cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.
If asthma symptoms become worse at any point, call NHS 111 or make a next-day GP appointment. Anyone having an asthma attack should follow the steps on their asthma action plan and call 999 for an ambulance if needed.
Respiratory infections, such as coronavirus, can trigger the symptoms of asthma.
Asthma UK advises those who are concerned about the virus to follow a series of steps to manage their asthma.
These include taking a preventer inhaler daily as prescribed. This helps cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.
If asthma symptoms become worse at any point, call NHS 111 or make a next-day GP appointment. Anyone having an asthma attack should follow the steps on their asthma action plan and call 999 for an ambulance if needed.
If my husband and I got the virus, could our pets be infected?
No. According to the World Health Organization there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted between humans and your family pet.
Coronaviruses occur in almost all animal species, including humans. They are usually specific to a single species and transmission between species is very uncommon.
But you should still make sure that after touching your pets you wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Pets can carry bacteria like E.coli and salmonella and these bugs can pass between pets and humans.
No. According to the World Health Organization there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted between humans and your family pet.
Coronaviruses occur in almost all animal species, including humans. They are usually specific to a single species and transmission between species is very uncommon.
But you should still make sure that after touching your pets you wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Pets can carry bacteria like E.coli and salmonella and these bugs can pass between pets and humans.
Will people who have already had pneumonia experience milder symptoms from coronavirus?
The new coronavirus can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
But as this is a new strain of coronavirus, no-one will have any immunity to it. So having had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus like Sars, will not provide immunity from this new coronavirus and the lung illness (Covid-19) it can lead to.
The World Health Organization has said it may be 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available.
Source : bbc
The new coronavirus can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
But as this is a new strain of coronavirus, no-one will have any immunity to it. So having had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus like Sars, will not provide immunity from this new coronavirus and the lung illness (Covid-19) it can lead to.
The World Health Organization has said it may be 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available.
Source : bbc
