The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered as a pandemic that has spread to a range of countries and cities globally, the World Health Organization said.
The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) advised the public to be mindful of COVID-19 symptoms that include fever, cough (usually dry), shortness of breath, and feeling tired and weak. However, in some severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
The CDC added the symptoms may appear two to 14 days after coming in contact with the virus.
Some symptoms are said to be similar in some respiratory illnesses. Here’s a chart that could help to figure out if someone may be feeling symptoms of allergies or respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
Information is still evolving. Allergies, colds, and flus can all trigger asthma, which can lead to shortness of breath. COVID-19 is the only one associated with shortness of breath on its own. Sources: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts advised if one has a fever and coughs to seek immediate medical assistance.
Meanwhile, an 18-second video is being hailed in social media sites and considered of some Twitter users as “the best piece single advice” one can have for avoiding the spread of the new virus.
According to Graham Medley, Professor of Infectious Disease Modeling, people shouldn’t act like someone who is avoiding contracting COVID-19 but rather as someone who already has the virus and trying not to pass to others.This 18 seconds is probably the best single piece of advice I’ve heard about the #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/buDs1fhdwL
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) March 13, 2020
"Most people have a fear of acquiring the virus. I think a good way of doing it is to imagine that you do have the virus, and change your behavior so that you're not transmitting it," he said.
"Don't think about changing your behavior so you won't get it, think about changing your behavior so you don't give it to somebody else," he added.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to increase and infected more than 134,300 people in 121 countries and territories since December, the AFP reported.
The WHO called the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic last Wednesday (March 11), issuing a severe warning that the global spread and severity of the illness was due to “alarming levels of inaction.”
The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has risen to 5,403, with a total of 3,176 people have died in mainland China, followed by 1,016 in Italy, and 514 in Iran – the three countries with the highest number of deaths, the AFP added.
READ MORE: Coronavirus deaths pass 5,000: AFP tally
(Prepared by: Richa Noriega)