What is COVID-19?

The disease caused by the new Coronavirus has a name: "COVID-19" (where "CO" stands for crown, "VI" for virus, "D" for disease and "19" indicates the year in which it occurred.) The Director General of the Environment announced it on February 11, 2020, in the press briefing during a break of the extraordinary Forum dedicated to the virus. 'Oms Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

What are the symptoms of a person with COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of are fever, fatigue and dry cough. Some patients may experience soreness and muscle pain, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms they are generally mild and begin gradually. In severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

How dangerous is the new virus?

Some people become infected but do not develop any symptoms. Generally the symptoms are mild and slow to start. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without the need for special care. About 1 in 6 people with COVID-19 become seriously ill and have difficulty breathing.

What are the people most at risk of presenting serious forms of disease?

Older people and those with underlying conditions, such as hypertension, heart problems or diabetes, and immunosuppressed patients (for congenital or acquired disease or being treated with immunosuppressant drugs, transplanted) are more likely to develop serious forms of disease.

How long does the incubation period last?

The incubation period represents the period of time between the infection and the development of clinical symptoms. It is currently estimated that it varies between 2 and 11 days, up to a maximum of 14 days.

How is the new Coronavirus transmitted from person to person?

The new Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that spreads mainly through close contact with a sick person. The primary route is the breath droplets of infected people, for example through:
•saliva, coughing and sneezing
•direct personal contacts
•the hands, for example by touching the mouth, nose or eyes with contaminated (not yet washed) hands
In rare cases, contagion can occur through faecal contamination.
Normally, respiratory diseases are not transmitted with food, which however must be handled respecting good hygiene practices and avoiding contact between raw and cooked food.
Studies are underway to better understand how the virus is transmitted.

Can the Coronavirus infection be contracted by a case that has no symptoms (asymptomatic)?

According to currently available data, symptomatic people are the most frequent cause of the virus spreading. WHO considers new Coronavirus infection infrequent before symptoms develop.

Is there a vaccine for a new Coronavirus?

No, being a new disease, there is still no vaccine and to make an ad hoc one the times can also be relatively long (it is estimated 12-18 months).

What can I do to protect myself?

Stay informed about the spread of the epidemic, available on the WHO website and on the site of the Ministry of Health and adopts the following personal protection measures:

•wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based solutions to get the virus out of your hands

•Keep a certain distance - at least two meters - from other people when they cough or sneeze or if they have a fever, because the virus is contained in saliva droplets and can be breathed at close range

•Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands if you have a fever, cough or breathing difficulties

If you have a fever, cough or breathing difficulty and suspect that you have been in close contact with a person with respiratory disease Covid-19:

stay at home, do not go to the emergency room or medical offices but call your family doctor, pediatrician or medical guard on the phone. Or call the

Does the virus pass on food?

Normally respiratory diseases are not transmitted with food, which however must be handled respecting good hygiene practices and avoiding contact between raw and cooked food.

Do I have to wear a mask to protect myself?

The World Health Organization recommends wearing a mask only if you suspect you have contracted the new Coronavirus and experience symptoms such as coughing or sneezing or if you are caring for a person with suspicion new Coronavirus infection. The use of the mask helps to limit the spread of the virus but must be adopted in addition to other measures of respiratory and hand hygiene. It is not useful to wear multiple overlapping masks. The rational use of the masks is important for avoid unnecessary waste of precious resources.

Can antibiotics be useful to prevent new Coronavirus infection?

No, antibiotics are not effective against viruses, but only work against bacterial infections.

Note

The information described above is taken from the institutional website of the Ministry of Health, for more information you can consult the website at the following address: Ministry of Health - FAQ - Covid-19