What is corona or Covid- 19 infection?
Corona (Covid 19) is a virus. It is not a bacteria. Most of the antibiotics work on bacteria. Since this is a viral infection common antibiotics do not work on this infection. Research is going on to find an antiviral medicine that can directly work on this virus.
Are pregnant women more prone to catch corona infection?
The evidence at this time does not show that pregnant women are more likely to catch infection. The evidence from similar viral infections show that if infected, pregnant patients are more likely to become critical as compared to non- pregnant women.
Any person, pregnant or otherwise suffering from diabetes, asthma, respiratory problems, HIV and other diseases has weaker immunity and more likely to suffer due to corona infection. Interestingly the data shows that more males have been infected so far. The data also shows that elderly people are more likely to suffer from serious disease.
Can Corona virus affect the baby in the womb?
There is no evidence that Corona per say can cause miscarriage, growth restrictions, death or poor growth of the baby. Only if the woman having corona infection develops pneumonia or becomes serious then there are chances of complications.
Can corona positive woman cause infection to the baby while breastfeeding?
Corona virus does not go through the breast milk. The virus can spread to the baby through hand contact or through droplets from coughing/ sneezing.
So the mother must use face mask and wash hands frequently/ use hand sanitizer before handling the baby. This will prevent the infection going to the baby. She may consider expressing the milk and other family members can feed the baby so that direct contact is avoided.
Should pregnant women get themselves tested even if they don’t have cough, fever or have no contact with any person suffering from corona infection?
The recommendations and guidelines are changing every day. At this time, the Indian council of medical research has recommended that the pregnant women should be tested if:
• They have symptoms of cough, cold, fever
• They have come in contact with a person with the infection even though they don’t have any symptoms.
• If a pregnant woman is nearing delivery, even if is not having any symptoms, but coming from the hotspot areas must be tested.
You should discuss about this with your doctor will be able to tell more about it.
How should pregnant women take care of themselves and avoid this infection?
For this we should understand how this virus spreads.
These are few common routes:
1 When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus is shed out via droplets. Another person close by may inhale the virus and get infection.
2 When infected person coughs and sneezes , the virus is shed out via droplets. These droplets settle down on objects around the person. Another person touches the objects and gets the virus on his hand. When he touches his nose or face, the virus goes into the breathing.
3 When infected person coughs or sneezes in his hands and then touches some object by hands. The virus is transferred from nose to hand to object. When another person touches the object the virus goes to another person.
Thus to avoid the infection, following strategies work:
1. Social distancing:
Staying at home, not meeting or mingling with people or visiting crowded places. This will automatically protect you from infection. It is generally found that the droplets travel for about one meter when someone coughs or sneezes. So maintaining physical distance will help. Avoiding hand shake, handling articles used by other people as far as possible.
2. Cough etiquette:
Instead of using hands to cover nose and mouth, use tissue paper. Dispose the tissue paper into a container which is closed.
3. Hand washing / hand sanitizers:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. One can use hand sanitizer as well. Before touching the hands to mouth or face wash your hands.
4. Boost your Immunity:
Vitamin C is a good immune booster. It is available in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. There are many home remedies or foods that can help boost the immunity. The AYUSH department of Ministry of health and family welfare has given a guidance on home remedies that can help to boost immunity.
5. Breathing exercises and other exercises at home
6. “Arogya setu” App developed by the Indian government :
This App gives a signal if you are close to any contentment area or hot spot. Or if a person having infection comes close to you, you are notified again. I am giving the link for authentic information.
Reference:
1 https://www.fogsi.org/fogsi-faqs-for-covid-19/
2 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/aarogya-setus-not-all-that-healthy-for-a-persons-privacy/articleshow/75112687.cms