Thread by @saikirankannan

[LONG THREAD ON #COVID19]

A few of my friends and followers have asked me to write a thread.. rather a "simple primer" on how to act responsibly if one was to catch a cold... Or possibly a #COVID19India infection in India...

So here goes...

Firstly, It is important to be mentally prepared that India will see a fair amount of cases. It's inevitable as the fact remains that the world is a lot more connected today and we will have a spread that may affect hundreds or thousandths in India.

https://twitter.com/saikirankannan/status/1239557528742055937?s=20

The WHO and other medical associations advise people to be on the lookout for symptoms such as fever, cough(even dry cough), cold, sore throat and breathing difficulties.

Otherwise, people may also experience nausea, diarrhea and runny nose. #COVID19India

Now, the symptoms may come to the fore anytime between 0-14 days from the time one is infected. This is why the quarantine time is prescribed for 14 days.

#COVID19India

The difficulty is... Infected people may or may not experience symptoms... And some may experience very light symptoms against others who may experience very severe symptoms.

#COVID19India

Irrespective of this all, the spread can also happen in an asymptomatic way... Meaning you can spread the virus even if you don't experience symptoms of uneasiness.

#COVID19India

But if you are above the age of 40 and have medical issues like diabetes, blood pressure, heart ailments or breathing-related issues, you are more prone to experience severe symptoms and difficulties.

#COVID19India

It's always nice to have a "family" doctor at our disposal like the older times... To reach out to for our FAQs...but If it's not the case, we can always reach out to government agencies, helplines, and other platforms to seek answers.
#COVID19india

Now, if you have a travel history or you have been in touch with someone who has traveled abroad, it's always good to call the government helplines and notify them of the same.

The ideal way to deal with such situations is to limit exposure and save others.
#COVID19india

A 25-year-old has less than 1% chances of succumbing to this virus, but... He or she may spread it to a 60-year-old who has more than a 4% chance of succumbing to it.

This is where we all have to be responsible. The curve cannot be flattened without teamwork.
#COVID19india

If you experience mild symptoms, firstly quarantine yourself at home and then watch how it progresses for a day.. if it feels like a normal cold and you get better (which can be the case mind you!) then you won't see the symptoms getting severe.
#COVID19india

But if you still feel uneasy after a day, do not waste time and reach out to the concerned authorities immediately.

If you decide to go to a government hospital directly, please do so by wearing a mask and ensure you follow good hygiene.
#COVID19india

Do not get physical with your friends and relatives. It requires a good amount of self-restraint and common sense to act accordingly.
#COVID19india

Once the health authorities start addressing your concerns, they will take a swab sample from your throat or nasal areas. The test results might take 2-3 days during which you will continue to be under quarantine.

https://twitter.com/saikirankannan/status/1238359120694120448?s=20

#COVID19india

Now, depending upon your health condition and symptoms, the doctors may advise you to stay put at home or get isolated at the hospital. This depends on many factors.
#COVID19india

If you test positive for #COVID19, then you will need to be strictly quarantined for 14 days (at home or the hospital) depending on how severe your condition is.
#COVID19india

The general treatment for such cases is purely symptoms based. They basically address your symptoms and weaknesses. The rest must be fought by your immunity.

#COVID19india

SEE THE BELOW THREAD TO KNOW HOW PATIENTS ARE TREATED:

https://twitter.com/saikirankannan/status/1222845771512332290?s=20

If you are quarantined at home, you can follow the below best practices recommended by @WHO & @CDCgov CDC.

*Maintain the best possible hygiene. Use tissues, wash well & isolate yourself

*Drink lots of water, take ample vitamin C

*Strictly avoid going out
#COVID19india

*If possible, use your own private bathroom and ensure no one else shares it with you

*Avoid sharing bed sheets, pillows, utensils, towels, etc

*Monitor the symptoms.. the key is you must get better... If the symptoms get severe, you need to get admitted

Remember, you have an excellent chance/probability to recover if infected. But you also have a good probability to get infected.

So please be aware & listen to the government directives & follow basic hygiene in order to not get affected & at the same time not affecting others.

Now, what is basic hygiene?

It is not just about using tissues, sneezing into your arms and maintaining distance from others.

#COVID19india

There are a few more things attached to it.

https://twitter.com/saikirankannan/status/1238815189631299592?s=20

Like the above-attached thread indicates, COVID19 viruses can live on surfaces like steel & plastic for days together.

Hence, it is important to regularly disinfect and clean things like a doorknob, switches, tv remote, phones, etc,

Always take a shower when u return home!

It is also important to clean home-delivered items like food or provision/grocery. These are basically plastic items packaged and delivered by strangers.

Finally... Believe!

Together, we can and we will.

Stay safe and stay sane!

[End of thread]
#COVID19India

@sumanthraman @dhanyarajendran @sanjusadagopan @udhavn @dinakaran @prabhuferrari @thelede_in @rejitweets @meghakaveri @RajeshChakram