How is the new coronavirus spread?
Bacteria and viruses, such as Covid-19 or coronaviruses, can be transmitted carried by microparticles of saliva that we expel when coughing, sneezing, speaking or through the contact of our hands with different surfaces. These pathogenic elements, if a series of precautions are not followed, can access our body through our airways or mucosa, after having touched contaminated surfaces or having been in close contact with an infected person.
Once the virus is inside the human body, it deposits its genetic material inside the ribosomes of the host cells. These ribosomes treat the virus's RNA as if it were its own and act as factories creating new viral proteins that facilitate virus replication, thus successively propagating to new host cells.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
It is important to know the patient's medical history, to rule out symptoms that may indicate a possible infection. Covid-19 or coronavirus is a highly contagious virus that affects the respiratory system, producing symptoms such as fever, cough, dyspnea, general malaise and, in the most severe cases, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.
Prevention measures against coronavirus
If the necessary protective measures are not taken against COVID-19, healthcare providers and patients are at high risk of contagion. To minimize it, it is important to follow a series of protocols:
Recommendations to patients
To prevent the spread of the coronavirus it is essential to instruct the patient to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 1 minute and then apply hydroalcoholic gel. It’s also important that the patient rinse for 1 minute with 1% hydrogen peroxide before starting treatment.
Recommendations for professionals
Healthcare personnel should avoid physical contact with the patient without adequate protective equipment against the coronavirus. This kit consists of masks with the indicated protection factor, protective glasses, caps and gloves.
Recommendations at the health center
A series of measures can also be taken in the health center to minimize the risks of contagion of the coronavirus. These involve maintaining at least a meter of distance between patients in the waiting room, discard the non-sterilizable material after the treatment is finished, sterilize all material susceptible to it and disinfect all surfaces in the clinic.
By following these safety protocols
against coronavirus in dental clinics and other health centers, we help
prevent its spread, the only way to stop this virus. It will depend on
everyone's efforts to get us out of this health crisis as soon as possible.
