Coronavirus outbreak is affecting people in large numbers. From the total number of cases in India now rising to 728 (including a 3-year-old who became the first minor patient ), government and health officials are adopting all possible measures to prevent the chances of the infection from spreading, which includes spreading the message of quarantine.
Quarantine has been in place since the time the infection started to rapidly spread across Wuhan, China; and Italy just recently became the first country outside China to impose a self-quarantine on its 41 million citizens. In India too, advisories are being issued, asking people to not rush out of home and instead call in so as to cut down the risk. However, there are a lot many misconceptions surrounding the same, which is making people scared to check about their symptoms and practice vital quarantine. We settle your doubts.
What is a quarantine?
For starters, quarantine doesn’t mean that you are put under a lockdown of sorts. At the discretion of doctors and professionals, if a person is suspected to be suffering from symptoms matching that of coronavirus, he or she is asked to practice self-quarantine, so as to prevent, stop or separate the person from the crowd, where the infection risk can spread because coronavirus, much like the flu or a cold is an infectious disease which can spread through respiratory droplets, sneezing or coughing in the air.
Simply said, a COVID – 90 quarantine means that the patient is asked to practice preventive measures and stay at home (in a safe place), monitor themselves to see if the infection worsens (for a minimum of 14 days), which is generally the time it takes for the virus to incubate and attach itself to the healthy cells. Cautionary measures include checking temperature at regular hours, practicing good hygiene, including immunity-boosting foods and taking medicines to bring the fever down, if needed. It does not mean that your phone will be taken away, or you no longer have access to the things out of your regular life. If you work or attend a school, chances are, you will be asked to curtail your visits or not go outside. If you live with others, you will be advised to practice isolation for a given time and recommended sleeping separately for the stipulated time. Since viruses can also spread through faecal matters, having access to a separate bathroom or disinfecting shared utilities religiously is advised. From towels to dishes and other utilities, disinfecting these are important. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouths or hands often. Hand washing and sanitizing, again is important. You can continue watching the television, surf the internet, and engage in other leisurely activities inside the “safe” place.
According to the CDC (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention), anyone traveling from China, or any of the other infected countries across the world are considered to be at a high-level risk.
Some advisories also caution against shaking hands, kissing or maintaining sexual contact when symptoms appear. Wearing masks, again is only required if you are coughing and share space with other people. These are regarded as the first line of preventive measures people should practice before rushing out for help.
If the symptoms worsen, or you show the more severe symptoms related to a coronavirus infection (such as breathlessness, muscle pain, severe headache, coughing up blood), call the emergency number at once and do not go to the doctor by yourself. You will be sent an ambulance and arrangements will be made in the hospital for the same, to limit infection risk. People are asked to maintain a 6 feet distance from other people at all times.
This is in contrast to the concept of “self-isolation” which separates people who are ill and prevents their movement until they are deemed to no longer be contagious.
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