11:00 am on 12 Feb 2020, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh has offered live conversation with Q&A and up-to-date information on the new coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19. Here are some outstanding questions of readers that were specifically answered by the expert.
What is coronavirus, symptoms and transmission?
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: The corona virus, also known as the nCoV virus, is not a strange virus, but every year it can cause the common cold symptoms. In early December 2019, China happened to be infected with a virus causing severe pneumonia but the cause has not been found yet. By December 31, 2019, China found a virus similar to the corona virus, so it called a new strain of corona virus called nCoV. In January 2020, the WHO confirmed that this is the cause of pneumonia of concern to humankind globally. Corona virus causes annual colds with 4 generations: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. Two of the first two types have caused serious illness, such as Sars Syndrome in 2003. In 2016, Mers-CoV. By 2020, it is called nCoV.
Pathogens Sars and Mers-CoV from camels, bats, deer, foxes, cats in the wild ...
Transmission of nCoV virus (Covid-19): Spread through inhalation (droplets). When a patient coughs, sneezes, a droplet spreads to the opposite person, or a droplet attaches to the surface of the table, objects ... When the hand comes into contact with the surface of the infected virus and brings it to the face, nose causing illness. Cases spread via air is very limited, can be transmitted through endoscopy, aerosol spray when medical staff perform procedures on patients ... So the two main routes are spread through droplets and direct contact.
Assoc. Prof. Tran Quang Binh answered questions about corona virus (covid-19).
So who are in high risks and what symptoms they might have?
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh:
Symptoms: Virus transmitted through respiratory tract should have symptoms such as fever, cough, sneezing, sometimes diarrhea ... However, when these symptoms are not confirmed 100% of the disease cause coronary disease.
Therefore, to diagnose the disease, it will need to focus on: first the symptoms (cough, fever, runny nose, shortness of breath). The second is the weak combination of epidemiology (patients who have come into contact with a suspect or a person infected with coronavirus, have just returned from an infected area, ...). Based on the above 2 factors, the patient will undergo diagnostic testing.
How to test: take secretions from throat, nose, take blood for testing (with additional properties).
Subjects: According to statistics, those with weak immune systems, aged 30 and older and those with pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular, kidney failure, diabetes ... In addition, those who come into contact with people from the epidemic area returning, contact the infected person ... will have a high risk of infection.
Fortunately, the disease rarely occurs in children, but it is not uncommon. There have been cases of 3-month-old children in Vietnam infected.
In the case of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, there is no clear evidence of the risk of mother-to-child transmission.
However, if there is resistance, good immune system can resist disease in general, not only the nCoV.
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How to prevent getting the disease?
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh:
The most important problem is to avoid contact with people with respiratory symptoms, avoid unnecessary crowded places. In case it is compulsory to go to a crowded place, it is necessary to wear a mask, clean hands regularly. Eat cooked food, clean food, full of nutrients.
Recommendations for those traveling abroad: It is best to avoid outbreak areas. For example currently limited to China or some countries where epidemics occur. However, if you have to go on business because you need to protect yourself by wearing a mask when you go to the crowd. Increasing resistance by eating hygiene, sleeping properly, science in order to increase resistance against diseases.
Where to get checked once coronavirus (nCoV) infection is suspected?
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: Symptoms of nCoV are similar to the common cold, so if there are only symptoms of cough, fever, which require testing, that part of the hospital will overload. In case of respiratory manifestations and contact with people infected with nCoV, returning from an outbreak, necessary tests are needed. Currently, hospitals are receiving tests such as Tropical Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital, Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, Children's Hospital 1 and 2, Pasteur Institute.
What should pregnant women be aware of?
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: So far there is no scientific evidence that corona virus can be transmitted from mother to child. However, pregnant women should be aware that, like other influenza viruses, when the body's hormonal pregnancy changes, the resistance can be reduced so care should be taken to prevent disease. If you have nCoV can miscarry, premature birth should prevent disease: eating, resting, hand hygiene, ... Limit going to unnecessary places.
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tran Quang Binh: City International Hospital quickly respond and approach promptly by setting up a screening clinic for patients right from the moment they entered the hospital (taking body temperature, asking questions, checking for fever, cough). ..). After that, he was consulted and distributed free masks. If infected is suspected, the patient will be placed in isolation in a waiting room for testing results.
If more people are sick, the isolation rooms on the 5th floor will be expanded to ensure the best response to this Covid-19 disease.
Meet the expert | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Binh click here.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
City International Hospital
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General disclaimer
Always consult your doctor regarding any concern about your health. Your doctor will be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice. For suspected undesirable drug reaction and seek medical attention immediately.
