A new pandemic is sweeping the planet, which humanity has not encountered before. Even the most sane people risk succumbing to panic. The closure of borders, the cancellation of mass events, the quarantine regime in educational institutions ... But is everything really so scary and what is the truth about the coronavirus?
Common Myths About Coronavirus
Let's try to disassemble the most popular myths about the new infection.
The banana myth
On the network you can find information that you can get coronavirus through bananas. Unknown "well-wishers" asked to spread the word that it is better to refrain from eating bananas during the epidemic, since several people have already become infected with them in Xinhua province. However, Xinhua Province (and a city with that name) simply does not exist in China. This is the name of one of the Chinese news agencies. And Rospotrebnadzor managed to make an official refutation of this "fake". Therefore, it is not necessary to give up bananas.
The myth of parcels from China
Is it possible to get infected from a parcel from China? The answer to this question is unequivocally negative. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, which means that it can enter the body only as a result of contact with an infected person.
The virus is not able to exist for a long time outside the body, and during heat treatment it is destroyed in a few minutes. For example, at a temperature of 37 degrees, the virus will lose its viability in a quarter of an hour. Parcels go from China within 10-30 days.
Footnote. It is still possible to get infected through contact. This will happen if the patient spit on some thing or cough on it. However, contact must occur within two to three days after the saliva is on the object.
The myth of the millions dead
According to statistics, 80% of people suffer from the disease in a mild form. Most likely, many did not even go to the doctor after infection, as they did not pay attention to minor ailments. Coronavirus poses a deadly danger to people over 60 with chronic lung and heart diseases.
According to the latest data, about 2.3% of those infected die from the virus. And the information about the "millions of dead" is just a fake, which should not be believed.
Footnote. The virus is especially dangerous for people over 80 years of age. Therefore, during a pandemic, it is better for them not to leave the apartment, wash their hands more often and use medical masks.
What is it really?
Luckily, it's not as bad as some unscrupulous media outlets make it out to be.
Comparison of the new coronavirus with other diseases
The coronavirus is often compared to the flu virus. However, it is too early to draw conclusions. Influenza kills 0.1% of those who get sick, and the death rate from coronavirus is 2.3%, with most of the deaths being elderly people with a weakened immune system and a history of many chronic diseases.
The symptoms of influenza and coronavirus infection are also different. The flu is more common with fever. Coronavirus at first can manifest itself as digestive disorders (nausea, diarrhea). Coronavirus often causes such a dangerous complication as viral pneumonia, which is very difficult and can lead to the need for mechanical ventilation.
The main difference between influenza and coronavirus is that there is a vaccine for the first disease. According to statistics, about half of the country's population is vaccinated against influenza. It is possible to create an immune layer and interrupt the chain of spread of the virus, so that an epidemic does not occur. Unfortunately, there is still no vaccine (as well as effective drugs) for coronavirus. This means that its spread is more difficult to control. Scientists say a vaccine may not be developed until autumn. And before it goes on sale, numerous clinical trials will have to be carried out (first on laboratory animals, then on volunteers). Therefore, humanity turned out to be practically defenseless against a new infection.
Many journalists compare the coronavirus with the HIV virus, but this comparison is incorrect. Firstly, the ways of transmission of the infection are different, and secondly, the difference between the changes caused by these pathogens in the human body is too great.
The situation in China has stabilized
At the moment, the situation in China is changing for the better. Mortality from coronavirus has decreased significantly, several hundred people are discharged from hospitals daily. Hospitals deployed during the epidemic are being closed, and doctors who worked in disadvantaged areas are sent to their native provinces.
Doctors from China are already offering to share their experience with their European colleagues. A team of 9 Chinese doctors went to Italy to help bring the infection under control.
The decrease in the number of registered infections suggests that the peak of the epidemic has already passed. However, doctors believe that it is not worth abandoning protective measures yet. Active actions aimed at combating the pandemic have yielded results, but it is too early to talk about a complete victory.
Mortality rate in the world
The average death rate from coronavirus is 2.3%. However, this figure depends on the age of the patient. 80% of the dead are people over 60 years old, 75% of them had serious health problems before infection, such as diabetes or asthma.
The age group under 10 years of age accounts for less than 1% of the infection, and not a single lethal case has been recorded. However, it is possible that in children the symptoms are so weak that you can not notice them, that is, the disease proceeds in an erased form.
Footnote. Mortality in men is significantly higher than in women (2.8% and 1.7%, respectively). An explanation for this phenomenon has not yet been found.
Panic mood and increased anxiety negatively affect the immune system. Therefore, it is important to keep calm and presence of mind. Follow simple rules to protect yourself from infection and complications: wear a mask, wash your hands often and see a doctor at the first symptoms of SARS!