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Coronavirus: What should I do if I travel to Italy? And other questions Coronavirus: How dangerous is disease for asthmatics, and other questions
(2 days later)
There have so far been more than 78,000 cases of the new coronavirus, 77,000 of them in China. The disease, which has spread to 30 countries, has been declared a global health emergency, and about 2,600 people have died. There have so far been more than 82,000 global cases of the new coronavirus, 78,000 of them in China. The disease, which has spread to more than 40 countries, has been declared a global health emergency, and almost 2,800 people have died.
Here are the BBC News Health team's answers to a range of of readers' questions about the disease.Here are the BBC News Health team's answers to a range of of readers' questions about the disease.
I am a British citizen living in Italy, what precautions should I take? Alex Darlbosco, Milan How dangerous is coronavirus for people who, like me, have asthma? - Lesley-Anne, Falkirk
A number of towns in the Veneto and Lombardy regions in the north of the country have been placed in quarantine and the Carnival of Venice has been cut short. Respiratory infections, such as coronavirus, can trigger the symptoms of asthma.
About 50,000 people will not be able to enter or leave affected areas for the next fortnight without special permission. Asthma UK advises those who are concerned about the virus to follow a series of steps to manage their asthma.
For people living in Italy - and the many thousands who travel there - a number of steps can be taken to limit the risk of coronavirus. These include taking a preventer inhaler daily as prescribed. This helps cut the risk of an asthma attack being triggered by any respiratory virus, including coronavirus.
The virus spreads through human-to-human contact, via droplets from coughs. If asthma symptoms become worse at any point, call NHS 111 or make a next-day GP appointment. Anyone having an asthma attack should follow the steps on their asthma action plan and call 999 for an ambulance if needed.
So it's important to wash the hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or warm water and soap, and to avoid touching the face. Asthma UK's full advice regarding coronavirus can be found here.
In addition, you should avoid contact with anyone coughing, sneezing or with a fever. If my husband and I got the virus, could our pets be infected? - Pat Jackson
Anyone who thinks they may have caught coronavirus should speak to their doctor on the phone. No. According to the World Health Organization there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted between humans and your family pet.
Is coronavirus more infectious than flu? - Merry Fitzpatrick, Sydney Coronaviruses occur in almost all animal species, including humans. They are usually specific to a single species and transmission between species is very uncommon.
It is still early days for making a direct comparison but we know both viruses are highly contagious. But you should still make sure that after touching your pets you wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Pets can carry bacteria like E.coli and salmonella and these bugs can pass between pets and humans.
On average, people with the coronavirus infect two to three other people, while those with flu pass it on to about one other person. My boss has been in contact with someone who has had to self-quarantine due to coronavirus. Should I also self-quarantine? - Elsie Petherbridge
However, people infected with flu tend to become infectious to others more quickly, so both viruses are able to spread with ease. A number of firms have asked staff to work from home as a precaution against coronavirus. This was after some of their employees experienced symptoms following a return from affected countries.
Could the virus be being spread by wildlife? - Robert Scammell, Fareham, Hampshire But Public Health England (PHE) has said that there is no need to send staff home from work, as most potential cases turn out to be negative. PHE does not recommend closing workplaces, even if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus.
It's almost certain the initial outbreak of coronavirus in China began in an animal source. UK health authorities are currently advising people to self-isolate if:
Early cases of this new infection were traced to the South China Seafood Wholesale Market, where live wild animals were also sold, including chickens, bats and snakes. Detailed advice on coronavirus and the workplace can be found here.
However, an animal may not be the host that spread it to people. Will people who have already had pneumonia experience milder symptoms from coronavirus? - Marje, Montreal, Canada
And for people in the UK, the chance of catching the virus from an animal is extremely low. The new coronavirus can, in a small number of cases, lead to pneumonia, most notably in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
We are now in a different stage of the outbreak, with cases being spread from person to person. This is the real threat. But as this is a new strain of coronavirus, no-one will have any immunity to it. So having had pneumonia, or any other form of coronavirus like Sars, will not provide immunity from this new coronavirus and the lung illness (Covid-19) it can lead to.
The World Health Organization has said it may be 18 months before a vaccine against the coronavirus is publicly available.
I am five months pregnant and want to understand the risk to the baby if I get infected with coronavirus. BBC website reader
Scientists don't have any reason to believe that pregnant women are more susceptible to coronavirus than anyone else. PHE says the risk of anyone getting it in the UK is low.
It's important to follow simple hygiene advice to protect yourself from the virus. This includes washing your hands with soap and water often, not touching your face, eyes or mouth with your unwashed hands and avoiding people who are unwell.
If you believe that you may have coronavirus, have been in contact with someone with the virus, or have travelled from certain parts of the world, the advice is to stay indoors and call the NHS 111 phone service.
Why are governments going to such extreme measures to combat coronavirus when flu appears to be more deadly? - Lorraine Smith, Harlow
These are containment measures to try to stop the virus from becoming a pandemic and spreading freely between people around the world.
Quarantining cities and telling people to stay at home may seem extreme - but the alternative is to let the virus spread unrestrained.
There is no vaccine for this new virus, as there is for flu, which makes elderly people and those with underlying health conditions very vulnerable to its effects.
In China, these measures appear to be working as new daily cases of the virus have now started to decline.
Can coronavirus be transmitted by things like door handles and how long does it survive? - Jean Jimenez, PanamaCan coronavirus be transmitted by things like door handles and how long does it survive? - Jean Jimenez, Panama
If someone infected with the virus coughs on to their hand and then touches something, that surface may become contaminated. Door handles are a good example of a surface that might pose a risk.If someone infected with the virus coughs on to their hand and then touches something, that surface may become contaminated. Door handles are a good example of a surface that might pose a risk.
It's not yet known how long the new coronavirus might be able to live on such surfaces. Experts suspect it is hours rather than days but it is best to wash your hands regularly to help reduce the risk of infection and spread of the virus.It's not yet known how long the new coronavirus might be able to live on such surfaces. Experts suspect it is hours rather than days but it is best to wash your hands regularly to help reduce the risk of infection and spread of the virus.
Does climate and temperature affect the transmission of the coronavirus? - Ariyana, Märkisch-Oderland, Germany
We still have much to learn about this virus. It is not yet clear whether seasonal temperature changes will affect its spread.
Some other viruses, such as flu, follow a seasonal pattern, peaking in colder months. There is some research suggesting Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) - another virus from the same family as coronavirus - is influenced by climate conditions, being slightly more common in warmer months.
Can you catch the virus from food prepared by an infected individual? - Sean McIntyre, Brisbane, AustraliaCan you catch the virus from food prepared by an infected individual? - Sean McIntyre, Brisbane, Australia
Someone infected with coronavirus could potentially pass it on to someone else if the food they prepare has not been handled hygienically. Coronavirus can be spread by cough droplets on hands. Washing your hands before touching and eating food is good advice for anyone, to stop the spread of germs.Someone infected with coronavirus could potentially pass it on to someone else if the food they prepare has not been handled hygienically. Coronavirus can be spread by cough droplets on hands. Washing your hands before touching and eating food is good advice for anyone, to stop the spread of germs.
Once you've had coronavirus, will you then be immune? - Denise Mitchell, Bicester, OxfordshireOnce you've had coronavirus, will you then be immune? - Denise Mitchell, Bicester, Oxfordshire
When people recover from an infection, their body is left with some memory of how to fight it should they encounter it again. This immunity is not always long-lasting or totally efficient, however, and can decrease over time. It is not known how long immunity might last after being infected.When people recover from an infection, their body is left with some memory of how to fight it should they encounter it again. This immunity is not always long-lasting or totally efficient, however, and can decrease over time. It is not known how long immunity might last after being infected.
Is a face mask useful against the virus and how often does it have to be replaced? - Tom Lim, Bali, IndonesiaIs a face mask useful against the virus and how often does it have to be replaced? - Tom Lim, Bali, Indonesia
There is very little evidence wearing face masks makes a difference. Experts say good hygiene - such as regularly washing your hands and certainly before putting them near your mouth - is vastly more effective.There is very little evidence wearing face masks makes a difference. Experts say good hygiene - such as regularly washing your hands and certainly before putting them near your mouth - is vastly more effective.
Can coronavirus be transmitted sexually? - David Cheong, Singapore
It is not clear yet whether this is a route of transmission we should be concerned about. Currently, coughs and sneezes are thought to be the main source of spread.
Do people who have contracted coronavirus return to full health? - Chris Stepney, Milton KeynesDo people who have contracted coronavirus return to full health? - Chris Stepney, Milton Keynes
Yes. Many of those who contract coronavirus will experience only mild symptoms and most people are expected to make a full recovery.Yes. Many of those who contract coronavirus will experience only mild symptoms and most people are expected to make a full recovery.
However, it can pose a particular risk for elderly people and those with pre-existing problems such as diabetes or cancer, or weak immune systems.However, it can pose a particular risk for elderly people and those with pre-existing problems such as diabetes or cancer, or weak immune systems.
An expert at China's National Health Commission has said it can take a week to recover from mild coronavirus symptoms.An expert at China's National Health Commission has said it can take a week to recover from mild coronavirus symptoms.
Can the coronavirus be transferred through items bought from Wuhan and posted to UK? - Stefan
There is no evidence this is a risk. Some diseases, including coronavirus, can spread through surfaces contaminated by people coughing or sneezing on them, but it is thought that the virus does not survive for long. Something that has been sent in the post is unlikely to be contaminated by the time it arrives at its destination.
Is it possible to vaccinate in order to prevent this respiratory illness? - Hans Friedrich
At the moment, there is no vaccine that can protect people against this type of coronavirus but researchers are looking to develop one.
It is a new strain that hasn't been seen in humans before, which means doctors still have lots to learn about it.
What questions do you have about the coronavirus?What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
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