Here is a summary of the best information I've seen on corona symptoms, how to prepare, and what to do if you think you have it. #COVID19 #coronavirus #CoronaVirusUpdates #CoronavirusUSA
The simplest way to distinguish #coronavirus from a common cold is that the COVID-19 infection does not cause a cold nose or wet cough, but it does create a dry and rough cough. Fever is also an early sign. If you are sneezing, don't be concerned... tinyurl.com/wz7ojes
If you or a family member has difficulty breathing or continual shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face, the CDC says you should seek medical attention immediately: tinyurl.com/vtbebzc
The virus is typically first in the throat causing inflammation & a feeling of dryness. This lasts 3-4 days. The virus then travels through moisture in the airways to the trachea & into the lungs, causing pneumonia for 5-6 days, which makes it very hard to breathe.
Pneumonia manifests with a high fever and difficulty breathing. The common cold is not accompanied, but there may be a choking sensation. In this case, a doctor should be called immediately.
People with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, lung diseases, immune deficiencies, or lack a spleen are most at risk. Contact your healthcare about obtaining extra essential medicines. If you cannot get them, consider using mail-order.
People are infectious a few days before they even have symptoms. Based on yesterday's @NatureMedicine paper I posted, about a case of #COVID19 in Australia, it took a week after admission for the virus to be undetectable in a nasal swab. It took her two weeks to recover.
Hospital staff have suggested doing this simple verification every morning: Breathe in deeply and hold your breath for 10 seconds. If this can be done without coughing, without difficulty, there is likely no fibrosis in the lungs, indicating the absence of infection...
Ensure that your mouth & throat are always wet, never dry. You should drink a sip of water every 15 minutes. Even when the virus enters water or other liquids through the mouth, it will get flushed directly into the stomach. (Note: I don't know if this is true but it can't hurt).
The virus hates heat & dies if it is exposed to temperatures greater than 80°F (27°C). Therefore hot drinks such as infusions, broths or simply hot water should be consumed. These hot liquids may kill the virus and are easy to ingest. Raw food from public places are risky...
The virus has a large size (a diameter of 400-500 nanometers) so N-95 face masks can stop it. Stay 6-10 feet away from others to allow the virus to fall to the ground. Fortunately, sneezing is not a common symptom of #COVID19.
When the #coronavirus is on hard surfaces, it survives 12-96 hours. If you touch public doors, appliances, railings, touchscreens, elevator buttons etc, wash hands for >20 sec with soap and/or disinfect with alcohol gel. Use elbows, knuckles & sleeve-covered hands when possible.
The virus can live nested in clothes and tissues for 6 - 12 hours. It has an outer lipid membrane, so common detergents will kill it. Things that cannot be washed should be exposed to the sun for a day and the virus will surely die. #CoronavirusUSA
#coronavirus seems to survive on hands for >10 minutes, during which time you will probably rub your eyes or touch your nose or lips. We usually touch our faces every 12 seconds. So, wash your hands often. Also, act like you have #COVIDー19 and you don't want to spread it.
You can gargle with disinfectant solutions (i.e. Listerine) that may eliminate or minimize the amount of virus that enters the throat and may remove the virus before it goes down to the trachea. (Note: I haven't confirmed this advice but it can't hurt).
Hospital staff caring for critically ill patients are encouraged to read this article @JAMA_current. tinyurl.com/sgqvxk5 
These are recommendations I've gathered from hospital staff, the CDC, & scientific papers as of Tues, March 17, 2020. Not medical advice. For official, up-to-date information, see the CDC website: tinyurl.com/wz7ojes. Stay safe out there. Even better, don't go out there✌️
