Hi everyone, I'm Evelyn, a hospital based physiotherapist.
For the past few days, I saw there's many doubts regarding the current respiratory illness outbreak issue, masks issue etc. in the group and of course everyone would like to protect their loved ones. As a healthcare professional, I hope that I can help to clarify doubts, spread awareness and stop unnecessary rumours through this post.
It will be a long post as I will include:
- What is Wuhan Coronavirus
- Do's and Dont's
- Hand Hygiene (Hand rub and hand wash)
- Suitable mask types
Hope everyone can spend some time to read this and educate your family / friends.
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> What is Wuhan Coronavirus?
It is a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which continues to expand in a few countries (as of now) including the United States. It is also known by the name "2019-nCoV"
SYMPTOMS & COMPLICATIONS INCLUDES:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
Ranges from mildly sick to severely ill and dying. Symptoms may appear as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS
Direct: Person-to-person contact and happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced (infected person coughs or sneeze).
For example: coughs or sneeze onto the hand / tissue / handkerchief and touches other people without washing hand properly.
Indirect: Any surfaces that may have contact with an infected person's respiratory droplets.
For example: handles on the train, escalator, hand wash sink, public phone, trolley / baskets in supermarket, common used cutlery in a buffet restaurant and many more.
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> Do's and Dont's during this period of time
DO'S
✔️ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 - 30 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
✔️Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, disposed tissue properly in trash 🤧
*Refer picture below for COUGH MANNERS
✔️Clean and disinfect frequenly touched objects and surfaces.
✔️Wear a mask if you have to go out to crowded places
DONT'S
❌ Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth with UNWASHED HANDS.
❌ Avoid close contact if you're sick / with people who are sick, stay home when you're sick
❌ Avoid huge crowded places especially for kids and when you are not well
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👐 Hand Hygiene
- Hand rub : only use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, preferably medical grades, avoid buying non-recognized brands / with heavy fragrance. Please read the label before buying. Not necessary to buy expensive type.
* Refer picture below for HANDRUB steps
**VIDEO from WHO: How to handrub? With alcohol-based formulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnSjFr6J9HI
- Hand wash: best to use antibacterial soap, not necessary to buy.
*Refer picture below for HANDWASH steps
**VIDEO from WHO: How to handwash? With soap and water
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmVJQUCm4E
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It is necessary to follow the steps for either hand rub or hand wash to cover all the frequently missed area in our hands that is prone for bacteria growth/ attachments.
*Refer picture below for FREQUENTLY MISSED AREA
ALWAYS REMEMBER 3 : 1
3 times hand rub, 1 times hand wash.
It means that after maximum of 3 times using hand sanitizer, the 4th time is a hand wash. Shall not exceed 3 times of hand rub, as your hands will have a layer of dirt/ dust, thus increase bacteria growth.
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😷 Suitable type of MASK
Only surgical mask 3-ply is suitable, definitely not Pitta mask / cotton mask / paper mask / charcoal mask.
To clarify, there's only 1 type of surgical mask (green, blue or white) 3ply, ear-loop or tie string.
-Surgical mask have a layer of fluid barrier (color layer) to prevent respiratory droplets from other users entering the mask layers. It is also breathable as it fits loosely. SHOW YOUR COLOR (color layer facing outwards)
-MASK DOES NOT NEED TO FIT TIGHTLY as we still need air particles to breathe.
[Myth: tie string surgical mask cost a lot more expensive because they're for SURGEON USE.]
[Truth: It is incorrect. It cost only slightly higher due to the manufacturing for the strings. Surgeon uses tie string masks because it minimizes the risk of mask falling out throughout the surgery. And in hospitals, nurses or healthcare professionals with tudung uses tie string masks as the ear-loops ones are slightly inconvenient. ]
You definitely do not need N95 mask, as we only use it in hospitals when a healthcare professional have to be in contact with infected patients in the isolation room. N95 masks is denser, harder to breathe in, and definitely not suitable for children!
If the virus is airborne, it is most likely smaller than 0.3 microns, where N95 will not give you any extra protection.
Children mask: Although protecting children is very important, it is not necessary to source for children's face mask tirelessly, especially when they're around 4 - 5 years and above. You can use regular surgical mask and create a knot at each of the ear loop to tighten the face mask in order to snuggle the child's face slightly better.
*Refer the mask picture below. (knotting the ear loops)
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> HOW LONG SHOULD I USE 1 MASK?
If you're not sick, mask is not soiled / soaked in sweat, the mask can be use throughout the day, disposed at the end of the day.
- Mask should be kept in a CLEAN zipper bag if you wish to reuse it (e.g: after lunch break or dinner break)
you should not fold the mask and keep it in your bag / pocket / handbag / under your mobile for reuse
- Mask should be disposed once soiled (e.g.: sweat, any fluid, or dropped on the floor)
If you're sick, please change masks frequently, disposed them properly in the trash.
WASH YOUR HANDS before and after removing / putting on a mask.
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It is important to note that how easily a virus spreads, in order to better understand the risk associated, and prevention steps.
* Please do confirm the source of a particular info before spreading or worrying as there's a lot of false news / posts out there.
I hope this post can clarify most of your doubts and put an end to some of the rumors out there.
Please share this info and educate your family and friends, spread awareness ESPECIALLY prevention (HAND HYGIENE). It is important for kids to learn how to protect themselves as easy by doing correct hand hygiene.
Protect loved ones, DO PRACTICE CORRECT HAND HYGIENE OFTEN.
Thank you so much for your time.
Regards,
Evelyn.
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Info source: CDC, WHO, Google
Image source: WHO, CHP HK, Google Image
Video source: WHO Youtube
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