Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that predominantly infect animals, but in some cases can be transmitted to humans. Usually, diseases caused by coronaviruses proceed in a mild form, without causing severe symptoms. However, there are severe forms, such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).

What are the symptoms of a disease caused by a new coronavirus?
Fatigue.
Difficulty breathing.
High fever.
Cough and / or sore throat.
Symptoms are very similar to many respiratory diseases, often mimic the common cold, and may be like the flu.
If you have similar symptoms, consider the following:
Have you been to high-risk areas (China and surrounding regions) in the past two weeks?
Have you been in touch with someone who has been visiting high-risk areas (China and surrounding regions) in the past two weeks?
If the answer to these questions is positive, the symptoms should be treated as carefully as possible.

How is coronavirus transmitted?
Like other respiratory viruses, coronavirus spreads through drops that form when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In addition, it can spread when someone touches any contaminated surface, such as a door handle. People become infected when they touch their mouth, nose, or eyes with soiled hands.
Initially, the outbreak came from animals, presumably, the source was the seafood market in Wuhan, where there was an active trade not only in fish, but also in animals such as marmots, snakes and bats.

How to protect yourself from coronavirus infection?
The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your hands and surfaces clean.
Keep your hands clean, wash them often with soap and water, or use a disinfectant.
Also try not to touch your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands (usually such touches are unconsciously performed by us on average 15 times per hour).
Carry a hand sanitizer with you so that you can clean your hands in any environment.
Always wash your hands before eating.
Be especially careful when in crowded places, airports, and other public transportation systems. As much as possible, touch the surfaces and objects located in such places and do not touch your face.
Carry disposable wipes with you and always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and be sure to dispose of them after use.
Do not eat food (nuts, chips, cookies and other snacks) from common packages or utensils if other people dipped their fingers in them.
Avoid complimentary handshakes and kisses on the cheek until the epidemiological situation has stabilized.
At work, regularly clean surfaces and devices that you touch (computer keyboard, general office equipment panels, smartphone screen, remotes, door handles and handrails).

How to wear a medical mask?
1. Carefully cover your nose and mouth with a mask and secure it to reduce the gap between the face and mask.
2. Do not touch the mask during use. After touching a used mask, for example, wash your hands to remove it.
3. After the mask becomes wet or dirty, put on a new clean and dry mask.
4. Do not reuse disposable masks. They should be discarded after each use and disposed of immediately after removal.

What can be done at home?
Tell your children about coronavirus prevention.
Explain to the children how microbes spread and why good hand and face hygiene is important.
Make sure everyone in the family has their own towel; remind you not to share toothbrushes and other personal hygiene items.
Ventilate the room frequently.

Can a new coronavirus be cured?
Yes, sure. However, there is no specific antiviral drug for the new coronavirus – just as there is no specific treatment for most other respiratory viruses that cause colds.
Viral pneumonia, the main and most dangerous complication of coronavirus infection, cannot be treated with antibiotics. In the case of pneumonia, treatment is aimed at maintaining lung function.

Who is at risk?
People of all ages run the risk of contracting the virus. A statement by the Wuhan Health Commission said that the age of the 60 most recent cases is between 15 and 88 years old.
However, as in the case of most other viral respiratory diseases, children and people over 65 years of age, people with a weakened immune system are at risk of a severe course of the disease.

Is there a vaccine for the new coronavirus?
Currently, there is no such vaccine, however, in a number of countries, including Russia, research organizations of Rospotrebnadzor have already begun its development.

What is the difference between coronavirus and influenza virus?
Coronavirus and influenza virus may have similar symptoms, but genetically they are completely different.
Influenza viruses multiply very quickly – symptoms appear two to three days after infection, and the coronavirus takes up to 14 days to do this.

How to determine the presence of coronavirus?

Timely diagnosis is one of the most important measures in the event of a threat of the emergence and spread of a new coronavirus in Russia. The Rospotrebnadzor scientific organizations less than 7 days after the appearance of information on the gene structure of the new coronavirus developed two variants of diagnostic kits for determining the presence of the virus in the human body. The kits are based on the molecular genetic research method, the so-called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using this method gives test systems significant advantages. The first is high sensitivity – using developed test systems it is possible to detect single copies of viruses. The second – to diagnose the disease, there is no need to take blood, it is enough to take a sample from a nasopharynx with a cotton swab. Third, the analysis result can be obtained in 2-4 hours. Diagnostic laboratories of Rospotrebnadzor throughout Russia have the necessary equipment and specialists for using the developed diagnostic tools.