Know the Virus & Protect Yourself

Practice physical distancing by putting space between yourself and others. By practicing healthy habits, you will help slow the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Stay informed of the latest developments about COVID-19 with MOPHQatar

So what is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that cause a range of illness from mild cold and cough to more severe illnesses such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The new coronavirus strain (SARS-CoV-2), also referred to as the novel coronavirus, spreads from person to person. This commonly happens between people who are in close contact with each other. COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Person to person spread happens when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the resulting droplets are transmitted into the mouth or nose of a person in close proximity, or possibly inhaled into their lungs. It is believed that the disease may also be spread by coming into contact with droplets that land on objects or surfaces.

Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the SARS-CoV-2 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

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Source: World Health Organization

What can you do?
Practice respiratory hygiene

How? Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread the virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

How do you protect yourself?
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up the virus. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus may enter your body and make you sick.

Contributors:Ms. Raji Anand, Dr. Sohaila Cheema and Dr. Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy

Editing: Mr. John Hayward