Frequently Asked Questions And Their Answers About COVID-19

Frequently Asked Questions And Their Answers About COVID-19

We must do everything necessary to prevent the transmission of the virus and that the spread of the disease is not reactivated. At this time, the most important preventive measure is to maintain social distance and use a mask in all public spaces regardless of maintaining physical interpersonal safety distance.

  • Weekly vaccination plan
  • Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination
  • Documentation and links for professionals
  • VACCINATION AGAINST CORONAVIRUS IN THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID

Symptoms:

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, and muscle pain. Headache, loss of taste and smell, nasal congestion, persistent pressure in the chest, and digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain are also common.

In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe shortness of breath, kidney failure, and even death.

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus infection?

Stay at home and contact your health center by phone , through the usual appointment phone, where they will give you the necessary instructions.
Avoid contact with other people, as far as possible, within your home. Extreme prevention and hygiene measures (hand washing, disinfecting surfaces, etc.), which you can find in the advice videos on this website .

If the symptoms worsen or you have a growing sensation of shortness of breath, call? 900 102 112 ?so that they can coordinate your health care or tell you where to go.?

What to do if there is a positive diagnosis?

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, access here to see how to act.
If you have been the contact person for a person diagnosed with COVID-19, access here to find out what to do.
Transmission

How can it be spread?

The method of transmission is by close contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person and generated to coughing , to l estornud ar to the talk , to crying , etc. These secretions would infect another person if they come in contact with your nose, eyes, or mouth.

Can it be transmitted through food?

According to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) there is currently no evidence that food is a source or route of transmission of COVID-19. More information on this link .

Can it be transmitted through pets?

Although isolated cases of infection have been documented in animals that have been in close contact with people infected with COVID-19, there is currently no scientific evidence that pets are a source of infection for people. More information on this link .

Is it safe to receive a package from an area where COVID-19 cases have been reported?

Yes. The probability of an infected person contaminating commercial items is low, and the risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19 from contact with a package that has been handled, transported and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.

Is there a risk of transmission of coronavirus through water?

Available scientific studies, according to the World Health Organization, show that the coronavirus is not transmitted through water. The disinfection to which the water is subjected before its distribution eliminates the coronavirus. Therefore, its distribution in the Community of Madrid, carried out through Canal de Isabel II and other entities, does not entail any risk to the health of the population.

Can coronavirus be transmitted through sewage?

No. Although non-infectious fragments of genetic material (RNA) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been detected in sewage and / or untreated sludge, there is no evidence of their survival and there is no evidence to date that the virus has been transmitted through sewage systems, with or without wastewater treatment.

Can the new coronavirus COVID-19 be transmitted through mosquito bites?

No, to date there is no information or evidence that indicates that COVID-2019 can be transmitted through mosquitoes.

Diagnostic tests

What types of tests to detect the presence of COVID-19 disease are currently available?

Currently, we have two types of tests:

Active infection diagnostic tests (PDIA), which detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus
Antibody tests: those that detect if we have defenses (antibodies).

Rapid tests and laboratory tests are available for both types.

To quickly detect the presence of the virus, we have rapid antigen tests. The PCR test also detects the presence of viruses, it is more sensitive and specific, it requires more processing time because it is performed in a laboratory and therefore it takes longer to know the result. Both tests are performed by taking a sample of the nasopharyngeal exudate.

The tests that detect the presence of antibodies (IgM, IgG) can also be through rapid antibody tests , with a capillary puncture (finger prick) that are easy to perform and useful due to the speed of their results, or through blood tests processed in the laboratory ( Serology ELISA), they are more complex to perform and the results can take several hours.

Rapid antigen test

The antigen test detects the virus protein in the nasopharyngeal exudate. It tells us if we are infected, that is, if we have the infection and allows us to know that, being infected, you can infect.

The sample for the antigen test is obtained from the nasal or pharyngeal exudate, by introducing a swab into the nostrils and back of the mouth.

The result is obtained after 10 to 15 minutes.

PCR laboratory tests

The PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test detects the presence of genetic material of the virus (viral RNA) in the nasopharyngeal exudate. Requires processing and interpretation of samples in a microbiology laboratory. Due to its sensitivity and specificity, it is the reference test for the diagnosis of active infection.

The samples are obtained from the nostrils and mouth background brushing.

Due to the need to process the samples in the laboratory, it can take several hours to know the results.

Rapid antibody test

The rapid antibody test detects the presence of antibodies against the coronavirus in blood. It tells you if you have had or have the infection , or not, but it does not determine if you can infect it.

The sample for the antibody test is a drop of blood obtained by sticking a finger . This drop is deposited on a detector that will show the result graphically (by the appearance of a mark).

The result is obtained after 10 to 15 minutes.

Laboratory antibody test (ELISA serology)

It consists of the detection of antibodies against the coronavirus in blood, through the analysis of a blood sample in the laboratory. The test detects IgM-type antibodies, which are those produced in the first days of infection, and IgG-type antibodies, which are those produced in later days and last longer. It serves to know if the infection has passed and we have acquired defenses against the coronavirus.

To carry it out, a venous blood sample is taken , as for any analysis, and it is processed in the laboratory with a technique called adsorption enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The result takes to know in a period of between one and three days.

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