As the epidemic of coronavirus has spread rapidly throughout Europe and America in the last week I write again to offer advice to prevent infection. The virus has now moved from isolated cases – mainly brought in from foreign countries – to community infection and people appear to be infective during the 5 days before they show symptoms. This means that we should now take a number of personal strategies to prevent infection.
The first important concept is that of relative self-quarantine – this means avoiding all public places, parties and restaurants and unnecessary meetings and travel to countries with community spread. My advice now moves to the need to exclude children from schools and, of course, this is more important for schools that have European students or family members. Children should not attend birthday parties. Whilst there is some anecdotal evidence that young children do not get infected I would not alter my general advice on this basis.
The second important concept is that of increased personal protection and includes:
• Regular hand washing for at least 20 seconds and including the back of hands and under nails; this should take place a minimum of 10 times daily
• Hand washing after using washrooms or visiting public areas
• Social kissing – common in southern European countries
• Handshaking
• Kissing pets
• Wearing masks if you are ill or are in contact with people with respiratory symptoms.
American Medical Centers does not provide testing for coronavirus. At this time, testing is only provided at designated state facilities.
AMC also asks that patients with respiratory symptoms do not attend clinics but consult a physician first by telephone. Our physicians will give suitable advice to patients and in line with national protocols will facilitate transfer to a designated infectious disease hospital if appropriate.
If you feel your immune system is or has been compromised, you are welcome to come in to comprehensively check your panels.
Dr. Richard Styles is the chief medical officer of the American Medical Centers Group in Ukraine.
