What You Need to Know About 2019-nCov (COVID-19)

2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) is a new coronavirus, initially affecting people in Wuhan City, China and now is more widely in China. Small amount of cases occur in several other countries. According to Department of Health, until 13 February 2020, there are 15 confirmed cases in Australia and 5 of them have recovered.

What is the symptom?

Patients may present cough, fever, runny nose, shortness of breath, and pneumonia in severe cases.

According to the latest research Clinical characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus infection in China, which also contains the largest sample number at present, there were 43.1% of patients present with fever on admission, but 87.9% during hospitalization. The fever may not present at the initial onset, therefore should not be negligent when the temperature remain normal. Except from that, the rest main symptoms include cough (67.7%), fatigue (38.1%), sputum production (33.4%), shortness of breath (18.6%), muscle or joint ache (14.8%), sore throat (13.9%) and headache (13.6%).

What should I do if I have these symptoms?

If you traveled to China in the 14 days before the symptoms started, please call your doctor or your local Emergency Department or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

How is it prevented?

Currently, there are no available vaccines for 2019-nCoV, but there are some things we can do:

• avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections

• wash hands with soaps frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment

• avoid close contact with live or dead farm or wild animals

• people with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (keep away from other people, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands with soap)

Who is at risk?

So far, there is no sufficient scientific evidence shows that any specific groups (including age, race and gender) have higher risk than others. People who have visited China, or contacted with an infected person may be at risk.

People who have a suppressed immune system should protect themselves in the same way they would against any respiratory infection. This includes frequently wash hands with soaps or an alcohol-based hand rub, and avoid close contact with anyone with respiratory symptoms.

How does it be treated?

There is no specific treatment at this stage, general supportive care such as antibiotics, oseltamivir and oxygen therapy may be applied depends on individual clinical presentations. Most of the time, symptoms will resolve on their own. People who have serious disease with complications can be cared for in hospital.

Reference

• Australian Department of Health

• NSW Health

• WHO

• Guan, W.J., Ni, Z.Y., Hu, Y., Liang, W.H., Ou, C.Q., He, J.X., Liu, L., Shan, H., Lei, C.L., Hui, D.S., Du, B., Li, L.J., Zeng, G., Yuen, K.Y., Chen, R.C., Tang, C.L., Wang, T., Chen, P.Y., Xiang, J., Li, S.Y., Wang, J.L., Liang, Z.J., Peng, Y.X., Wei, L., Liu, Y., Hu, Y.H., Peng, P., Wang, J.M., Liu, J.Y., Chen, Z., Li, G., Zheng, Z.J., Qiu, S.Q., Luo, J., Ye, C.L., Zhu, S.Y. & Zhong, N.S. 2020, 'Clinical characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus infection in China', medRxiv, p. 2020.02.06.20020974.