COVID-19 RTPCR Test - Special offer for Kotak Bank Savings Account Customers

Coronaviruses are a common group of viruses; while some coronaviruses affect only animals, a few others can also affect humans. It is very likely that all of us have been infected by coronavirus at some point in our life. The symptoms of a coronavirus can range from a mild cold to flu like symptoms to moderate and severe upper-respiratory infections. The SARS epidemic (severe acute respiratory syndrome) was also caused by coronavirus. Coronavirus is also known to affect the gut and hence some patients may suffer from diarrhoea.

The current situation is caused by COVID 19.

Coronavirus infections typically spike up during winter months as the virus can thrive in cold temperatures. So, people typically suffer from cold due to coronavirus in the months that are cold. The immunity is short lived and so we fall prey to cold and flu again.

Below are some basic precautions that each one of us should follow for our good health. Pass it on to your family, friends and loved ones.

• The current COVID 19 infection has typical flu like symptoms
• The symptoms may begin 2-10 days after initial infection
• Sneezing, runny nose, fever, fatigue and cough are all symptoms of COVID 19 infections. In certain patients, diarrhoea was also reported.
• 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
• People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

Below are some basic precautions that each one of us should follow for our good health. Pass it on to your family, friends and loved ones.

• If you are sick, make sure you stay at home.
• Avoid handshakes. Use gestures like waving, saying namaste etc.
• To touch light switches or elevator buttons, use your knuckle for minimum contact. To lift the gasoline dispenser, use a paper towel, tissue or disposable glove.
• Avoid grasping the door handles of bathrooms and commercial doors unless necessary. Try to open doors with fists or by using your hips.
• Try using disinfectant wipes when touching door handles in stores, grocery carts etc.
• Regularly wash your hands using soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer with over 60% alcohol content when you cannot wash your hands. Make sure you keep your hands clean and dry after washing.
• At the entrance of your home and car , keep a bottle of sanitizer handy.
• Always cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard it immediately. Cough or sneeze into your elbow if you don’t have tissues but keep in mind that infected viruses contained on the clothing around your elbow can be passed on for upto a week or more.
• Sanitize and disinfect your mobile phones, light switches and other things you frequently contact or touch.
• Follow reliable authorities like WHO or the CDC on guidelines about wearing masks. As per CDC, people showing COVID-19 symptoms should wear masks to protect others from being infected. The CDC doesn’t recommend people who are well to wear facemasks to protect themselves from COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases.