No one knows enough about the novel coronavirus (SARS 2) that gives rise to a disease we now refer to as COVID 19 that has taken the world by storm ; an unwelcome guest indeed that seems to be out to overwhelm healthcare systems and cripple economies. Many people have tried to downplay its effect. Yes it appears it has killed fewer people than the influenza, road accidents and other diseases and conditions that get much less airtime but that is to be expected because it’s new and we cannot determine for sure how it may eventually end or progress.

Coronavirus has definitely been around for years and it’s known to be one of the viruses that cause the Common Cold. Of course it is not as common as the Rhinovirus when we discuss causative organisms of the common cold. The novel variety of the coronavirus however was unknown until December of 2019 and it has already made waves around the world. It is another warning from nature that we take our personal and environmental hygiene seriously. This will not be the last: SARS1, MERS, Ebola, Lassa fever, Bird Flu…the list goes on. The ease of travel makes disease transmission extremely easy.

HOW IS THE VIRUS TRANSMITTED?

It is believed that it was initially transmitted from an animal to a human (zoonosis) but for now human to human transmission is our major challenge.

On the average most people start showing symptoms about 5 days of coming into contact with an infected person but this may last anywhere from 2 to 14 days; what we refer to as the incubation period.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

• Droplets
  • When one sneezes, coughs or even as one speaks we may “shower”. these droplets if they happen to be from someone with the infection are loaded with the virus
  • Unlike airborne infections such as measles, tuberculosis etc. that can travel for long distances, droplets even for people heavily endowed with noses and mouths do not travel long distances and that is a life-saver
• Contact
  • Droplets may land on surfaces or on hands that may be used to touch door knobs, handrails, phones etc. and we may touch these especially with our hands and end up transferring the virus into our bodies.

ENTRY POINTS INTO THE HUMAN

• The eyes
• The nose/nostril (it’s amazing how many people traumatize their nostrils with their fingers as if there is no tomorrow).
• Mouth
• Probably our ears especially as we dig deep into our ears with our fingers, pen covers, keys and may unimaginable things.

Initial Symptoms/Presentation

If you have experienced the common cold before (and my guess is you have) or the Flu then you are likely to know what it feels like. Majority of people may not be very ill but for those who do, the progression is quick with a predominance of lower respiratory symptoms that may quickly lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, kidney and multiple organ failure and death if the right supportive structures do not exist.

Generally these are the symptoms one experiences:

• Headache
• Fever
• Sore Throat
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue/Weakness
• Joint Pains

General Ways to Protect People

• Limit non-essential travel. (closing a countries borders for at least 3 weeks may be life-saving)
• Screening at ports of entry
• Avoid crowded areas; in our setting funerals, parties, church, conferences etc. 

What Can Individuals Do 

• Stay healthy/improve your immunity by exercising and eating healthy (1 in 5 people infected get significant disease). Get adequate sleep/rest, keep well hydrated, get lots of fruits and vegetables or take a supplement such as Vit C or a multivitamin or other if you just can’t get enough from your food. By all means include an immune booster like pure cocoa powder into your daily intake.
• Seek professional care when ill. Call emergency contact numbers if you have suspicious symptoms or call your healthcare professional. You may not need to go into the clinic physically. Do not be selfish, do not spread the disease if you have it.
• Avoid close (not less than 1 metre) contact with people coughing, sneezing or generally ill.
• Wash hands with soap and water frequently. This is the preferred way to keep hands clean and you do not need an antiseptic soap. Antiseptic soap has no advantages over the others.
• Use alcohol-based (at least 60%) sanitizers when available. Antibacterial sanitizers with low alcohol content may not take care of the virus. Killing 99.9% of bacteria does not mean it kills this virus too.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose and lips with contaminated hands or other body parts.(remember these are the entry points so keep off your face unless hands are clean)
• Disinfect likely contaminated surfaces, door handles, phones, computers etc. included.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard appropriately or cough into the curve of your elbow but NEVER into your hands
• Beware of people “shaking their handkerchiefs” close to you
• When using public transport kindly sanitize your hands as you touch chairs, windows, handover money and receive change. Wash your hands with soap and water when you arrive at your destination.
• Avoid eating (or contact with) sick or wild animals or ones of suspicious origin

WORKPLACE ETHICS

• Screen for fever at entry points (with a non-contact thermometer) and ASK QUESTIONS to include travel history and contact with ill people. Those coughing or ill may need to be home or isolated till adequately screened or examined by a health professional.
• Have handwashing areas at entry points
• Preferably non-touch hand sanitizers at vantage points
• Depending on your type of work other measures may be necessary but by all means explore option of working from home when the need arises (this applies to only certain categories or industries)

TAKING CARE OF MYTHS

We should expect many “theories”, after all we are still learning about this virus but get rid of these thoughts from your arsenal immediately;

• Africans are not immune to the disease. Africans like we have seen have been infected. Sometimes the “silence” may be misleading and it may just be our window of opportunity to take the right precautions. Did we take advantage of this period? Well your answer is as good as mine.
• Hot weather may not be protective. After all novel coronavirus has a less hardier relative the coronavirus and a distant cousin the influenza viruses and these are detected in our environment all year round
• The use of hand sanitizers are safe for infants. Use for them.
• If you have a newborn do not worry, apply your hand sanitizer in the absence of running water and soap. It will dry in your palm and have no adverse effect on the tender skin of your bundle of joy. The benefits far outweigh any minor skin changes (if any at all)

Stay calm, anxiety & stress suppresses your immunity and may make you worse off. Let’s take good care of those over 60 years and especially if older than 80 years, they are at greater risk of a severe illness if they contract the virus. Also people with multiple disease conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease etc. may be at a greater risk.

COVID 19 will soon be gone but if we don’t make proper personal and environmental hygiene our way of life, I hate to sound like a prophet of doom but sooner than later another disease condition maybe even more devastating will hit us. Nature abhors the filth we are creating.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)

Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel

Health Essentials Ltd/Mobissel/St. Andrews Clinic

(www.healthessentialsgh.com)

*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.

Thought for the week – “The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is Maker of them all. 3The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences. .” – Proverbs 22; 2-3

References:

1. WHO/GHS source