Need a quick summary of how a virus like Corona works, and what to do?  Here’s part of a recent summary from THE MAYO CLINIC:

Germs live everywhere.  You can find germs (microbes) in the air; on food, plants and animals; in soil and water — on just about every other surface, including your body.  Most germs won’t harm you.  Your immune system protects you against infectious agents.

However, some germs are formidable adversaries because they’re constantly mutating to breach your immune system’s defenses.  Knowing how germs work can increase your chances of avoiding infection.

Infectious agents can lead to damaged cells, or disease.  One category of them is viruses.  A virus is an infectious agent, responsible for causing any one of numerous diseases, including [most recently, the Corona virus or COVID-19], as well as:  Influenza, the Common Cold, Ebola, Genital Herpes, AIDS, Measles, Chickenpox and Shingles.  Antibiotics designed for bacteria have no effect on viruses, which lead to infection and disease.

What’s the best way to stay disease-free?  Prevent infections.  You can prevent infection through simple tactics, such as washing your hands regularly, being careful with food and water, getting vaccinations, and taking appropriate medications.

  • Hand-washing. Often overlooked, hand-washing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from germs and most infections. Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing or eating food, after coughing or sneezing, after changing a diaper, and after using the toilet. When soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based hand-sanitizing gels can offer protection.
  • Vaccines. Vaccination is your best line of defense for certain diseases. As researchers understand more about what causes disease, the list of vaccine-preventable diseases continues to grow. Many vaccines are given in childhood, but adults still need to be routinely vaccinated to prevent some illnesses, such as tetanus and influenza.
  • Medicines. Some medicines offer short-term protection from particular germs. For example, taking an anti-parasitic medication might keep you from contracting malaria if you travel to or live in a high-risk area.

When to seek medical care:

Seek medical care if  – you suspect that you have an infection – and you have experienced any of the following:

  • An animal or human bite
  • Difficulty breathing
  • A cough lasting longer than a week
  • Periods of rapid heartbeat
  • A rash, especially if it’s accompanied by a fever
  • Swelling
  • Blurred vision or other difficulty seeing
  • Persistent vomiting
  • An unusual or severe headache

Your doctor can perform diagnostic tests to find out if you’re infected, the seriousness of the infection and how best to treat that infection.

Read the full article from THE MAYO CLINIC, HERE.

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