#Covid-19: The guide to prevention

According to the World Health Organisation (2020), the coronavirus disease (aka COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a novel virus. A virus is a biological agent that reproduces inside the cells of living hosts. Upon infection, the host cells quickly produce thousands of replicas of the original virus. As viruses do not have cells that divide like other organisms, they assemble in the infected host cell, however, they can mutate and evolve. This makes a virus to be highly elusive in treatment.

Fig 1: The novel coronavirus cell. CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM - This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #23312.

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Viruses consist of either DNA or RNA genes that carry genetic information; a protective protein coat to protect the genes and in some cases, a fatty "envelope" that surrounds the protein coat. This fatty envelope exposes the vulnerability of viruses to soap and it used to enter new host cells together with specific receptors.

As viruses are elusive in nature (particularly the RNA based viruses), the prevention of their spread is of paramount importance in order to save lives. In animals and humans, mainly, the spread of viruses involves the exchange of bodily fluids in the form of blood, sweat, and saliva. Covid-19 is a flu-like virus and as such its spread is believed to be also through the air by aerosols or droplets of moisture when infected people cough or sneeze.

There are currently no known vaccines or treatments for the virus and as such prevention is highly recommended. This article seeks to educate the reader on the six (6) ways to protect one's self from the infection by the virus.

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1. Wash your hands regularly with soap for at least 20seconds or if water and soap are not immediately available and no visible dirt on hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol).

2. Practice respiratory hygiene: Cover your nose when sneezing or coughing with a bent elbow or tissue. Throw away the tissue into a closed bin and wash your hands immediately as in 1 above.

3. Maintain social distancing of at least 1 meter apart from a sneezing, coughing or feverish person.

4. This is the most difficult but important. AVOID touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands.

5. Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if you are sick, caring for the sick or in a healthcare facility. The most common PPE is the respiratory mask! NB: this is not a guarantee to protect you from exposure!

6. If you are unwell, stay home but if you develop fever, seek medical assistance. Know your local COVID-19 emergency numbers and locations.

Remember to share this article with as many people as you can.

Stay safe and may God protect you.