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Coronavirus symptoms: What are they and how do I protect myself? Coronavirus symptoms: What are they and how do I protect myself?
(about 1 hour later)
Coronavirus has spread to more than 100 countries, including the UK.Coronavirus has spread to more than 100 countries, including the UK.
So, what is the disease and how does it spread?So, what is the disease and how does it spread?
How do I protect myself?How do I protect myself?
The best thing is regular and thorough hand washing, preferably with soap and water.The best thing is regular and thorough hand washing, preferably with soap and water.
Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on then your eyes, nose or mouth.Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air. These can be breathed in, or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on then your eyes, nose or mouth.
So, coughing and sneezing into tissues, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with infected people are important for limiting the spread.So, coughing and sneezing into tissues, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with infected people are important for limiting the spread.
Face masks do not provide effective protection, according to medical experts.Face masks do not provide effective protection, according to medical experts.
What are the coronavirus symptoms?What are the coronavirus symptoms?
Coronavirus infects the lungs. The symptoms start with a fever followed by a dry cough, which can lead to breathing problems.Coronavirus infects the lungs. The symptoms start with a fever followed by a dry cough, which can lead to breathing problems.
It takes five days on average to start showing the symptoms, scientists have said. It takes five days on average to start showing the symptoms, scientists have said, but some people will get symptoms much later than this.
The incubation period lasts up to 14 days, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. But some researchers say it may be up to 24 days.
People will be most infectious when they have symptoms, but there have been suggestions some can spread the virus even before they are sick.People will be most infectious when they have symptoms, but there have been suggestions some can spread the virus even before they are sick.
The early symptoms can easily be confused with other winter bugs including colds and flu.The early symptoms can easily be confused with other winter bugs including colds and flu.
How deadly is coronavirus?How deadly is coronavirus?
The proportion dying from the disease appears low (between 1% and 2%) - but the figures are unreliable.The proportion dying from the disease appears low (between 1% and 2%) - but the figures are unreliable.
Thousands are being treated but may go on to die - so the death rate could be higher. But it may also be lower if lots of mild cases are unreported.Thousands are being treated but may go on to die - so the death rate could be higher. But it may also be lower if lots of mild cases are unreported.
A World Health Organization examination of data from 56,000 patients suggests:A World Health Organization examination of data from 56,000 patients suggests:
Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease), are more likely to become severely ill.Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease), are more likely to become severely ill.
Treatment relies on keeping the patient's body going, including breathing support, until their immune system can fight off the virus. Work to develop a vaccine is under way.Treatment relies on keeping the patient's body going, including breathing support, until their immune system can fight off the virus. Work to develop a vaccine is under way.
What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?
The NHS says an epidemic in the UK is "likely".The NHS says an epidemic in the UK is "likely".
People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice. They should not go to their GP, or A&E.People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice. They should not go to their GP, or A&E.
In Scotland, check NHS inform, then ring your GP in office hours, or 111 out-of-hours. In Wales call NHS 111, and in Northern Ireland, call your GP.In Scotland, check NHS inform, then ring your GP in office hours, or 111 out-of-hours. In Wales call NHS 111, and in Northern Ireland, call your GP.
If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people, says Public Health England.If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people, says Public Health England.
Advice for people who have travelled back to the UK from affected areas and who may need to self-isolate, has been issued.Advice for people who have travelled back to the UK from affected areas and who may need to self-isolate, has been issued.
Other countries have introduced their own measures For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people showing symptoms to call their healthcare provider, and those who are mildly ill to self-isolate.Other countries have introduced their own measures For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people showing symptoms to call their healthcare provider, and those who are mildly ill to self-isolate.
The World Health Organization has also issued advice for the public.The World Health Organization has also issued advice for the public.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
Who gets tested and how does it work?Who gets tested and how does it work?
People showing symptoms who call 111 who have been to one of the affected areas, or who have been in close contact with someone who has the virus, will be tested.People showing symptoms who call 111 who have been to one of the affected areas, or who have been in close contact with someone who has the virus, will be tested.
All hospital patients with flu-like symptoms will also be tested.All hospital patients with flu-like symptoms will also be tested.
If you need testing in the UK, you may have to give samples of mucus, blood or faeces. These will be tested and results may be available on the same day.If you need testing in the UK, you may have to give samples of mucus, blood or faeces. These will be tested and results may be available on the same day.
While you await your test results, you may be asked to stay at home and self-isolate.While you await your test results, you may be asked to stay at home and self-isolate.
How fast is it spreading?How fast is it spreading?
Hundreds of new cases are being reported worldwide each day. However, it is thought health agencies may be unaware of many cases.Hundreds of new cases are being reported worldwide each day. However, it is thought health agencies may be unaware of many cases.
After starting in China, coronavirus is now spreading fast in countries like South Korea, Italy and Iran.After starting in China, coronavirus is now spreading fast in countries like South Korea, Italy and Iran.
Follow James on Twitter.Follow James on Twitter.
This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience's questions about coronavirus. Details of how to get in touch are below.This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience's questions about coronavirus. Details of how to get in touch are below.
What questions do you have about the coronavirus?What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question: