Our restaurants have been closed for two weeks. Corona danger! But how likely is it to get infected in everyday activities that are still allowed?
The risk of infection in the supermarket is extremely low. Virologist Hendrik Streeck from the University of Bonn says: “There is no danger of infecting someone else while shopping.”
The serious infections had happened “at the après-ski in Ischgl, at the party in Berlin, at football games in Bergamo”. “It didn’t come from any supermarket, butcher’s shop or restaurant. It came from being together for a long time. “
The risk is also comparatively small when jogging or walking. Lung specialist Susanne Huggett: “I have a lot of air in the great outdoors and the wind quickly blows the droplets away. Everyone should do their sport and if you jog past each other there is no risk of infection. ”
BUT: You should avoid chatting with your neighbors or people you meet along the way. Because by speaking, the droplets with the viruses get into the air.
How is the corona virus transmitted?
Mainly as a droplet infection. That means: directly from person to person via droplets containing viruses – for example when sneezing or coughingif traces of the liquid get on the mucous membranes of another person. The virus mainly reproduces in the throat.
Also an indirect transmission via the hands is possible if a person touches his mouth, nose or eyes who has previously touched a contaminated doorknob.
What are the most typical symptoms?
It usually goes with dry cough and fever!
Dr. Susanne Huggett: “Coughing, body aches, runny nose, feeling sick – the tricky thing about the virus is that it is precisely these symptoms that make it noticeable. So like a classic flu. ”
However, the fever rises more slowly than with flu and remains constant for longer. Slight complaints usually subside after ten to 14 days. This is the case in around 80 percent of cases.
Severe shortness of breath is evident in more serious diseases. Then the pathogen also reached the lower respiratory tract, causing pneumonia there. However, if the pathogen spreads into the lower respiratory tract, the course is significantly more severe, known as atypical pneumonia. Those who even need treatment in the clinic can take up to six weeks to recover.
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Discovered other symptoms?
According to British scientists, many infected people lose theirs Sense of taste and smell. In a study with a symptom tracker app, almost 60 percent of corona sufferers reported a loss of both senses.
Tim Spector of London’s King’s College: “When combined with other symptoms, people with odor and taste loss appear to be three times more likely to be ill and should isolate themselves for seven days to reduce the spread of the disease.”
The director of the Institute of Virology at the University Hospital Bonn had previously reported on this phenomenon in an interview with the FAZ.
The findings came from an examination of infected people in the district of Heinsberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, which was particularly affected by corona.
Also one Myocarditis (Myocarditis) can be an indication of a Covid 19 disease, as the “Ärzteblatt” now reports. There have been reports of patients who had suffered severe heart muscle damage as a result of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Now, in the specialist journal “JAMA Cardiology”, the case of a 53-year-old patient from northern Italy, who had been admitted to the cardiological clinic of the University of Brescia due to heart failure, was presented. The findings indicated myocarditis: “This could have been triggered directly by SARS-CoV-2 or could have been the result of an immune response to the virus.”
Conjunctivitis caused by coronaviruses?
When the eyes are red, itchy and watery, this is a very typical reaction of the conjunctiva. It usually reacts to pollen that triggers an allergic reaction or to intruders such as bacteria or viruses that can cause an infection.
According to American media reports, red, itchy and watery eyes could also be an early symptom of an infection with the new corona virus. According to this, there are several reports that suggest that the virus can cause mild conjunctivitis that is otherwise indistinguishable from other viral causes.
American ophthalmologists believe that coronaviruses can get in the eye and cause an infection there. They recommend that the doctors treating patients not only protect the mouth and nose, but also the eyes.
However, the doctors also write that pure conjunctivitis only rarely indicates Covid-19. If a patient has an additional fever and cough, then yes.
How long does it take for the virus to break out?
The time from infection to onset is called incubation period. Since COVID-19 is a new type of virus, the duration of the incubation period is still controversial. According to current knowledge, it is five to 14 days before the first symptoms appear.
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Can the virus also be transmitted if someone shows no or hardly any symptoms?
Yes! Studies by the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Bundeswehr Institute for Microbiology and the Munich Clinic Schwabing show that some patients with coronavirus infection who are treated at the Munich Clinic Schwabing have infectious viruses in their nasopharynx area even with minor symptoms exhibit. The researchers conclude that infected people with weak symptoms can also transmit the virus.
Treacherous: Humans can carry the corona virus within themselves, but show no symptoms themselves!
Who is the corona virus dangerous for?
Men are at higher risk of dying from coronavirus infection than women. This was the result of an analysis by the Chinese authorities of more than 44,000 infected people. And: the older the patient, the higher the risk of death! From the age of 50 it increases significantly, people from the age of 80 are most at risk.
However, it turns out that younger people can also be massively affected and end up in intensive care units.
Regardless of age, people with previous illnesses are also significantly more at risk. For example, people with various lung diseases or smokers are affected:
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What should I do if I suspect Corona?
The important thing is: Do not just go to your doctor, but call him beforehand. He will tell you exactly what to do and whether a test is appropriate. Not everyone who shows cold symptoms is automatically tested:
Once I have Corona, will I be immune?
Controversial! No, says doctor Dr. Wimmer: “We suspect that it’s like the flu. The viruses are constantly changing, and the corona virus does the same. If I had Corona this year, I can get it again next year. It’s different if I had it a few weeks ago – the viruses don’t change that quickly. ”
The RKI on the other hand: According to current knowledge, you become immune to the virus if you have already been infected. Likewise Prof. Klaus-Dieter Zastrow, chief physician of the Hygiene Institute Berlin: “Yes, you are immune after an infection. But whether it is for life or whether the immunization ends again cannot be said at the moment. “
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Can animals also be carriers?
Yes! “The virus comes from animals (bats), was transmitted to humans and then managed to be transmitted from person to person. There were e.g. in China a corona patient who has a dog – and viruses were also found in the animal. But the dog was not sick, ”said Wimmer.
There is currently no evidence that pets such as dogs or cats can become infected with the virus. However, the viruses can sit on them, so you should wash your hands after contact.
And: It is not yet possible to say whether the animals of the corona patients should also be quarantined.
How can I protect myself from infection?
But how can I avoid getting infected at all? A vaccine is still a long way off, but it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and keep your distance.
Avoid all social contact if possible. These rules apply immediately in Germany:
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