Corona virus -signs and symptoms , mode of transmission , prevention and guidelines for dental setups

Roller coaster ride with“CORONA”

We want to breathe, but we can’t ..that's what corona virus has done with our life. Living our carefree lifestyle with our own terms and conditions is now being controlled by this pandemic  “ COVID- 19”.This disease has not set any parameters of age, gender, caste to infect people , in fact each and every corner of the world, developed or developing countries are struggling either physically , financially, and mentally with this virus.

This is not the first time this virus has shown itself to the world. In the form of MERS(Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) it has already knockdown some of many countries very badly. But this form of corona virus has become life-threatening for the whole world.”Life is being stuck around COVID-19” thinking, reading, and is daily updated with the current condition has made us clear that” only fit will survive” means if you are healthy, fit, and strong you can easily fight with this virus. We have to modulate our life according to this virus, now we have to live with this virus until the vaccine is not developed.

It is not being clear the real cause of “treacherous disease” which has taken 2 lakh and above life worldwide and numerous are being infected still fighting to revert back to their life. Let us take a ride with this virus that how it had changed our life full of twists and turns. 

CORONA VIRUS

It is an infectious viral disease, that is related to RNA Virus family. The new deadly virus outbreak in WUHAN, CHINA now has reached worldwide is called SARS -COV 2(Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 )coronavirus and it causes “COVID-19”.It is a respiratory tract infection that affects your upper and lower respiratory tract(sinus, nose, throat, lungs, windpipe). A theory is being proposed that there is a link between bat and seafood market where the first person got infected in Wuhan but it is not approved as the real cause.

In recent cases, it is been observed that there are many people who are symptomatic(with symptoms) and many are asymptomatic (with no symptoms).In this pandemic situation, we need to be more and more careful and alert with respect to each and every move.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 

a. Fever

b. Cough

c. Cold and sneezing

d. Sore throat

e. Difficulty in breathing

f. Feeling restlessness

g. Fragile

h. Weakness

i. Body pain

LESS COMMON SYMPTOMS

a. Loss of taste and smell

b. Nausea

c. Headache

d. Chills

Older people, immunocompromised, and people with underlying other health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer are more prone to develop serious sickness.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

1) Person to person: It can be spread from an infected person to another by direct contact ex.Handshake, hugging, or any kind of close contact.

2) Infected Respiratory droplet: If an infected person sneezes or cough or talk without covering his/her mouth can easily pass their infection.

3) Indirect spread:  If an infected person touches any surface then there are chances that a non infected person if touches the same surface the infection can spread.

( In recent cases it's being observed that many people are infected by the virus but are  asymptomatic and they can easily spread the virus without knowing.) 

CORONA INCARCERATED LIFE

Started from city WUHAN(CHINA), DEC 2019 and enveloped whole rapidly and turned into pandemic disease, causes sudden shut off to our breezy life.

”Everything comes to pass, nothing comes to stay”-Mathew Flickstein, its true everyone is wanting an end to this corona virus. This virus has taken our life on roller coaster ride which is full of fear of losing our life, our job, our near and dear ones, no gathering, no roaming around, economy crisis, that freedom to breathe freely in the environment , our happy and smooth lifestyle. This ride is just full of panic alarm that you yourself can save your and your family life.
According to the current situation, our daily routine is being knockdown and many things have been implemented that have to be done so just to have long lasting life. Many countries have implemented “LOCKDOWN” means to stay safe at home so as to protect yourself and fellow citizens, work from home, no meetings, if necessary only then step out by wearing masks. Although lockdown turns out to be a great step towards stoppage from the huge mass spread, the world economy rate is downgraded, so to revert back from crisis lock down has been uplifted in the segment with guidelines.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO “LIVE, LAUGH AND LAST”

i. Have to wear a mask whenever stepping out of your home.

ii. Should always sanitize or wash your hand with soap, hand wash, or any alcohol based sanitizer.

iii. If it needed only then step out of your home.

iv. Take good care of old citizens and small children,immunocompromised patient or any person with health issues present in your house.

v.  If you feel you have been in contact with an infected person, immediately follow the self-isolation rule and inform your government officials.

vi. Kinds of Stuff being brought by the market or by online should be kept outside and then should be washed and sanitized properly.

vii. Should maintain proper hygiene.

NATURAL TIPS TO BOOST UP IMMUNITY :

“Fit will survive and will have the potential to fight and revert back to normal life” this what is observed in this virus spread.COVID-19 complication aggravates with ages as immunity level reduces as you grow old. A vaccine would normally take years, as even it’s not sure it works or not. So better is to boost your immunity naturally in an easy way.

a) CITRUS FRUITS: Citrus fruits are highly rich in vitamin C which plays a major role in fighting with infection and develop a strong immunity. You can have orange, lemon, lime, grape, tomato in a daily supplement.

b) GINGER AND GARLIC: These both are the most common ingredient used in almost every daily cuisines.Ginger helps in reducing sore throat and possess cholesterol-lowering properties. Garlic helps in lowering high blood pressure, both ingredient helps to decrease inflammation level.

c) TURMERIC: This key ingredient in our kitchen is a bright yellow spice act as anti-inflammatory,anti-viral,anti-bacterial, and immune booster.

d) GOOD SLEEP: Don’t compromise with your sleep, as the current situation of every human being in this world is full of fear of recession, loosing near ones, thoughts whether everything will come on normal track or not which is causing severe stress, depression. To cope up with this stress keep yourself lift up with positive thoughts, have a calm and relax mind, take a good sleep. Lack of sleep with stress as a topping can alter your health and immune system.

e) EAT FIBROUS AND HEALTHY FOOD: Diet rich in fiber like maize, oats, wheat, etc. vitamin and mineral supplements like broccoli, spinach, banana, and other greeny leafy vegetables should also be included in the diet.

f) EXERCISE: Keep yourself mentally and physically fit to withstand the repercussion of this virus. Physical exercise is one basic measure to long last your life, as it improves your cardiovascular health, keeps your body weight and blood pressure in the normal range, makes your body fit to fight against several diseases.

g) DON’T SMOKE AND DRINK ALCOHOL: Smoking, drinking alcohol or any bad habit can make you prone to many diseases and these all habits also lower down immunity.

h) DRINK LOTS OF WATER: Keep yourself hydrated with lots of water ,can have lukewarm or normal water. you can also drink green tea but in a limited amount, as it acts as an antioxidant that prevents cell death.

This year 2020 is only serving humankind with an agony of doomsday with everyone fearing for their life. This virus has affected all aspects of life which include Dental treatments as well. Dental Association all across the world have announced each and every dental setup, all procedures should be stopped except emergency cases that to be only carried out by following all protocols strictly, having all protection equipment for dental staff and for patients with proper sterilization and disinfection.

Many dental setups across the world are not typically designed to carry out transmission-based precautionary measures implemented by the government which is meant for higher medical centers and hospitals. Dentist and Dental staffs have the most chances to get exposed to this virus as mostly all dental treatments lead to the formation of “aerosols” produced by saliva and blood droplets, these can easily spread from patient to patient or to dental staff by coming in contact with skin mucous membrane, inhaled and contaminate whole dental setting including the dental chair, equipment, instruments, walls, etc. Let's learn some tips to stop coronavirus spread at the dental clinic level.

GUIDELINES FOR INFECTION CONTROL IN DENTAL SETUPS:

1. Place a signboard at the entrance door of clinics which suggests if the patient is having any respiratory issues should consult their physician first and ask for their treatment to reschedule.

2. Wear surgical masks, sanitize hand by washing hands or using alcohol-based sanitizer properly before entering clinic premises.

3. Note down the temperature reading of every patient, if there is an increase in body temperature seen then postpone their treatment.

4. Proper travel and health history should be taken.

5. Maintain contact and address details of every patient.

6. Ask patient to wait calmly for their treatment by maintaining distance with others.

7. All Dental personnel dealing with the patient including dentists, assistants, or receptionists everyone should wear face shields,disposable face mask,non- sterile gloves, eye protection, or personal protective equipment kit (PPE KIT).

8. The patient should also ask to wear non-sterile gloves, head cap, and shoe cover.

9. Every disposable item like a face mask, gloves, head cap, tissues, etc should be used once and discard according to waste management protocol.

10. After every patient, proper sterilization and disinfection should be followed including each and every dental equipment instrument, doors, washroom, dental chair, etc.

11. Dentists should be alert and identify the acute respiratory issues patient and provide them a surgical mask, keep them in separate rooms to limit their contact with other patients.

12. If any patient with respiratory issues comes to a dental clinic all dental staff should use an N95 mask instead of a face mask.

l “SIGN AND POSTERS” should be placed at the entrance, sitting lobby, elevators or at stairs containing each and every information and instructions related to sanitization, respiratory hygiene, maintaining distance, use tissue while sneezing and coughing, not to hide any information from the doctor, properly dispose of waste in waste receptacles.

l If not feeling well can reschedule your appointment till your medical report suggest that you can carry on your dental treatments.

Last but not the least follow “social distancing, wear mask, keep yourself sanitize just to be safe”.We can’t stop, we have to keep moving in the best and safe way to protect ourselves and our near and dear one.