What, COVID-19, again!

It has been a few years now since we are living a more normal life, but it seems like the

COVID-19 doesn’t like to leave us alone as a whole. We have been impacted a lot by it

and we continue to be.

Understanding COVID-19 better, we would like to dwell into more details, starting from

the main point, when COVID-19 started, understanding what it is more in-depth and

causes of it, how to be better protected and to stay aware!

What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease that was first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. Over time, the virus has spread across the world and has mutated into several variants including Alpha, Beta, Delta, Lambda, and Omicron, with the latter being the most dominant strain currently.

The symptoms of COVID-19 can be slightly similar, depending on which variant of the

virus you might have. Having that in mind, taking good care of yourself starts by

understanding which one it is, and then learning of the measures you have to take! It can

sound like a lot, and different to know, but in fact, is pretty easy and we are here to help

you and make it easier to follow up.

COVID-19 is often followed with:

●       a fever-like feeling

●       chills

●       headache

●       difficulty to breath

●       body ache

●       losing smell and taste

●       night sweats

●       diarrhea

●       Eye irritation and more

To check for a possibility of having one of the variations of COVID-19, you can check by doing one of the tests, which are the antigen test or the PCR test. PCR tests may indicate a false positive result for people infected with COVID-19 in the past 90 days, as the viral RNA may linger in your body.

How to Be Protected by the Variations of COVID-19?

Some of the steps of being more protected by any of the variations of the COVID-19, are a few steps, starting by getting vaccinated, and after the doses of vaccines given to you, keep them up to date using the boosters, which will also ensure for the continuation of that protection.

Having clean environments inside; with good ventilation and clean air.

If people who have been or think they can be positive with COVId-19, try to not have contact and be more in open spaces. To feel more protected it is good to keep a mask on, in public/crowded spaces. Keep your distance with other people.

When Can We Know If We Have COVID-19?

The virus can start infecting your body 2 to 14 days after being in contact with it. The symptoms of the COVID-19 virus can last a few days or a few weeks, and they can be manifested through different types of pains and aches, also tiredness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, a cough, tiredness, loss of appetite and more.

If you think you might have been infected with the virus, is best to keep distance

from other people, starting with the members of the family. And paying a visit to

your doctor.

Quarantining- When Should You Start and What Are the Measures to Take?

After getting tested and before getting the result, you should start the quarantine,

which means, being isolated and by yourself, if you can by being in a space by

yourself so you won’t put others in danger.

If your test returns positive, you should quarantine for at least 5 days. After this,

you should keep your distance from people at a high risk of developing severe

symptoms for at least 5 more days, even if they’re vaccinated.

One of the ongoing concerns remains the virus’s ability to cause damage to blood

vessels and internal organs through the creation of micro clots.

COVID-19 Usually Can Last Up to 10 Days

What is going on with the new wave of COVID-19 in 2024?

In a report published by the World health organization in February 2024, there was a 30% decrease in deaths by COVID-19 in 2024.

SARS-CoV-2 PCR percent positivity, as detected in integrated sentinel surveillance as

part of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and reported

to FluNet was around 10% as of 4 February 2024. 

COVID-19 like many other health issues or sickness, can be helped by getting some at-

home treatments, starting from getting good and enough sleep, keeping a good track of

physical activities to maintain a good health of your body, having a good diet including

healthy fats and protein.

Looking after yourself and staying motivated throughout the process of dealing with this

issue, is something manageable, and with a positive mindset and some help, you can

fully get back to your feet in no time!

Mental Health When Dealing with COVID-19

When your body is having a big change and it cannot function normally, we can always

help it, by improving something that is crucial for our overall well being, and it is, you

guessed it-our mental health.

Many times we can get overwhelmed by our problems and our health issues, and when

something like that happens, it can happen so, that we just want to get over it as soon

as possible and don’t think of the consequences that the situation has on our mental

health.

The COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 have had a profound impact on the mental well-being of both adults and children. According to a 2021 survey, almost 50% of Americans who participated reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, while around 10% felt that their mental health needs were not being adequately addressed.

Not everyone can be effected on the same way and level when it comes to mental

health, when also having the virus of COVID-19, so people who usually have more

negative or self-harming thoughts, pregnant women, people who deal with depression

and anxiety, children, people with disabilities, health workers, these are just some of the

categories that get more affected by the virus on the mental health issue.

By asking for help, to a doctor and also a therapist, during the time of isolation and after,

is beneficial to deal with this issue.