A Tweetorial on #coronavirus (and #IBD):
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illness from the common cold to more severe diseases. The novel strain of #coronavirus named #SARSCoV2 was first detected in Wuhan, China and causes coronavirus disease #COVID19. 1/
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illness from the common cold to more severe diseases. The novel strain of #coronavirus named #SARSCoV2 was first detected in Wuhan, China and causes coronavirus disease #COVID19. 1/
How is #coronavirus transmitted?
Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs and can infect people in close contact (within 6 feet). Touching contaminated surfaces before touching your eyes/nose/mouth might also lead to infection. 2/
Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs and can infect people in close contact (within 6 feet). Touching contaminated surfaces before touching your eyes/nose/mouth might also lead to infection. 2/
How does #COVID19 compare with seasonal #influenza?
Both are infectious respiratory illnesses that present with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Both can lead to serious illness especially in older people and those with prior medical conditions. 3/
Both are infectious respiratory illnesses that present with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Both can lead to serious illness especially in older people and those with prior medical conditions. 3/
One difference is that you can get vaccinated for the #flu, but there isn't a vaccine available yet for #COVID19. Phase 1 studies of a possible vaccine are starting in the next 2 months according to #Fauci @NIAAAnews. 4/
What does this mean for #IBD patients?
IBD is a condition of an overactive immune system, and is often treated with immune modification or immune suppression. IBD patients on immunosuppressive medications are in general, more susceptible to infection. 6/
IBD is a condition of an overactive immune system, and is often treated with immune modification or immune suppression. IBD patients on immunosuppressive medications are in general, more susceptible to infection. 6/
Specifically, being on steroids or immune modulators like azathioprine or 6-MP or methotrexate can increase an #IBD patient's risk for viral infections. To date, we don’t have specific IBD research on #coronavirus. 7/
So for now, take general precautions:
1. Avoid being in close contact with sick people.
2. Wash your hands frequently.
3. Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth.
4. Seek medical attention in case of fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
5. If you haven’t, get your #flu shot! 8/
1. Avoid being in close contact with sick people.
2. Wash your hands frequently.
3. Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth.
4. Seek medical attention in case of fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
5. If you haven’t, get your #flu shot! 8/
There is still a lot we don’t know about #COVID19. In the meantime, use reliable sources of information to stay well informed:
1- @WHO (ow.ly/dM1H50yxAlF)
2- @CDCgov (ow.ly/CTKU50yxAlG)
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1- @WHO (ow.ly/dM1H50yxAlF)
2- @CDCgov (ow.ly/CTKU50yxAlG)
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