The SARS-CoV-2 virus is responsible for infecting a person with coronavirus and spreading it to others if no precaution is taken. It can take 2 to 14 days for this virus to start showing symptoms. Therefore, infected people who aren’t showing any symptoms may spread it to others until the symptoms start developing later.
It can even live in the air or on different objects/surfaces for up to 5 days. If a healthy person touches their eyes, mouth, or nose after touching the contaminated surfaces, they may catch the infection. If you start developing symptoms like flu, fever, or loss of taste/smell, you can quickly do a self-test at home, using a government-approved Lateral Flow Test find here, rather than visiting a clinic and spreading it to others.
Nevertheless, we have mentioned 5 tips to prevent you from catching and spreading coronavirus in this article. Read below to explore!
Tip #1: Wear a Mask
When an infected person coughs/sneezes in the air, talks or simply breathes, their virus can remain in the air for up to 3 hours. If you are not wearing a mask, you won’t be able to protect yourself from the virus as it enters your body through your mouth or nose.
Even if you’re infected, you can stop the virus from transmitting by wearing a mask outdoors. A surgical mask is preferred over a cloth mask to stay safer. Don’t keep touching your mask. If you touch its front side, you must wash your hands.
Tip #2: Clean and Disinfect Surfaces
The high-touch surfaces of your home or office, such as door knobs, stair rails, light switches, and tables, must be cleaned daily with soap (or detergent) and water. This will help you minimize germs.
However, if someone sick or someone with coronavirus visited you recently, you must also disinfect after cleaning to kill the germs. Make sure to use the right disinfectant; if you don’t have one, you can opt for a diluted bleaching solution.
Tip #3: Don’t Constantly Touch Your Face
Most people have a habit of constantly touching their faces for no apparent reason. However, if you want to avoid catching or even spreading coronavirus, you must stop yourself from doing this.
The virus can enter your body through your hands; you never know if you just touched a surface like your cellphone or a door knob that had the virus on it before putting your hands on your face.
Tip #4: Wash Your Hands Properly
Your hands may carry viral germs. To protect yourself and others from coronavirus, you must ensure you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with an antibacterial soap properly.
If you don’t have soap and water to wash your hands, you can always use a sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol to properly sanitize your hands and kill any possible viral bacteria.
Tip #5: Isolate Yourself If Sick
If you believe that you are developing the symptoms of coronavirus or you recently met someone who just tested positive for COVID-19, you must isolate yourself in your home and test yourself at home to confirm the symptoms using a self-test kit.
In case you don’t live alone, you should quarantine in your room and wash your hands frequently. You can call your doctor, rather than visiting the hospital, and tell them about your symptoms, so they can prescribe you medications. A lab team can also be called to your home to do a PCR test for accurate results.