Global numbers continue to show that coronavirus has continued to spread. Safety precautions have been implemented worldwide to slow down or "flatten the cuve" of the number of cases of coronavirus. Social distancing is currently one of the measures being taken especially for those who have shown mild symptoms. However what if those people who are not showing any symptoms already have the virus? According to a scientist, COVID-19 has been discovered to be more contagious even before the symptoms appear. How can we protect ourselves?
Coronavirus can already spread days before an infected individual even shows symptoms.
COVID-19 getting more infectious
In a report by Fox News, a molecular biologist Daisy Robinton said that the individual infected with coronavirus is more contagious 5 days before their symptoms even appear. She, herself, experienced symptoms and shared her own observations while answering questions on her Instagram account sent by concerned citizens.
"A fever kicked in and I developed a splitting headache and body aches that made it uncomfortable just to be conscious," she said.
"I don't know how to convey the extreme exhaustion that set it. Then, the shortness of breath started. I noticed I wasn't getting as much oxygen." Daisy Robinton added.
Daisy Robinton explained that her experience clearly shows that young and healthy adults don't have immunity from the disease which has now affected more than 200,000 individuals in the US and has taken the lives of 4,476 people according to reports last April 1.
The molecular biologist urged the public to practice and maintain safety measures, especially social distancing, to rediuce the spread of the virus.
How will I know if I have been exposed to this disease?
Coronavirus spreads via close contact and through exposure from droplets left in the air from a patient positive with COVID-19. Avoiding being infected by the virus is difficult, but not impossible, according to studies.
In the U.S., a number of the documented cases came from those with close contact with pre-symptomatic people. Coronavirus' incubation period is usually five days, but some cases exceed this period. Other individuals do not develop symptoms before the 14-day period or even longer.
Robinton said that most people only develop mild symptoms or none at all, which makes it more dangerous since those people will not even know they have been infecting other people. If a person is not feeling well or showing mild symptoms, Robinton advises that the first thing they should do is contact a doctor or set up an appointment via telemedicine; which is currently available throughout the U.S.
You must contact your doctor first for further advice. If you are not infected and still proceed to the hospital, you just might get it at the hospital if no proper coordination with the a medical professional is taken.
