Since the announcement of the first three cases of contamination on January 24, the French Ministry of Health invites the French to be extra careful when faced with the Covid-19.

What are the symptoms ?

Symptoms are fever or feeling of fever and signs of breathing difficulty such as coughing or shortness of breath. "The symptoms described mainly evoke a febrile respiratory infection," says the Ministry of Solidarity and Health. "Some cases also have breathing difficulties and lung abnormalities.

Who are the people at risk?

"We know that for around 80% of people the disease is not serious, says Sandrine Belouzard, from the Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille (CIIL), reached by email. However, it can be serious for the elderly or those with chronic illnesses. If the death rate is 2-3% on average, for people over 80 it's over 14%. "

Generally for coronavirus infections, in more severe cases, the patient may be suffering from an acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, or even a multi-visceral failure which can lead to death. . As with many infectious diseases, people with chronic conditions are at higher risk. "

Can you catch the disease by water?

To date, no water contamination has been reported. This disease is respiratory transmission.

What is the incubation time?

The incubation period lasts 3 to 5 days in general, and can be up to 14 days. During this period the subject is potentially contagious.

How is Covid-19 transmitted?

Coronavirus Covid-19 is spread by droplets emitted by a sick person, especially during close contact. The disease is transmitted by postillions (sneezing, coughing). It is therefore considered that close contact with a sick person is necessary to transmit the disease: same place of life, direct contact within one meter during a cough, sneeze or during a discussion in l absence of protective measures.

How long has the virus been active?

According to a study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, the coronavirus Covid-19 would survive at room temperature, like its close cousins ​​SARS and MERS, on average between 4 and 5 days on surfaces like steel, aluminum, wood, paper, glass, plastic, ceramic, teflon and other crucial materials in the medical environment: latex gloves and disposable gowns. At temperatures above 30 ° C, the resistance decreases considerably, not exceeding a few hours. On the other hand, lower temperatures, below 20 ° C, favor the persistence of human coronaviruses which survive up to nine days. Ruhr University scientists say in their work that ethanol-based agents can clear the virus from these surfaces.

Is there a vaccine?

"The development of a vaccine takes time but many laboratories around the world have embarked on this research based on the knowledge acquired during previous epidemics," explains Sandrine Belouzard, of the Center for Infection and immunity of Lille (CIIL). "We can hope to have the first tests in several months."

  • Useful gestures

Hand washing

The Ministry of Health insists on hand washing, which is one of the main vectors of the virus. This simple gesture must however be carried out meticulously, for 30 seconds. "When you have a viral infection, you can easily transmit viruses by touching another person or place them on surfaces (sinks, worktop, door handles ...) or objects (toothbrush, cutlery ...). We can therefore catch viruses when we come into contact with sick people or when we touch contaminated objects and surfaces and then put our hands to the face (mouth, eyes and nose) ", recalls the security site social Ameli about winter viruses.

Hydro-alcoholic solutions - see the WHO guide to making them - can replace soap and water.

Wearing a mask

The use of surgical masks by the non-sick population is excluded. Preventive use for people who are not in close contact with the sick is indeed useless, specifies the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.

Wearing a so-called "surgical" anti-projection mask reduces the spread of potentially infectious particles and protects people and the environment. They are reserved for sick people and contact people of moderate / high risk, as well as health professionals, people in charge of first aid and in charge of medical transport in case of suspected contact with a sick person. The mask should be changed every four hours.

FFP2 type masks are "reserved exclusively for hospital staff, trained, in close and prolonged contact with confirmed cases and who perform invasive medical procedures (intensive care)".

Handkerchiefs, coughs and sneezes

It is recommended to cough and sneeze "in the elbow", that is to say without contact with the hands. It is also advisable to only use tissues once, on which the virus can survive for several hours.

The phones

The telephone is an important vector of the virus, since it is in direct contact with the hands and face. The Numerama website recommends diluting hydroalcoholic gel or pharmaceutical alcohol to disinfect the smartphone screen, or using a protective film which can be cleaned more easily.

I have symptoms, who to contact?

The Samu (reachable at number 15) is the first point of contact for people who have flu-like symptoms and wish to have a medical professional online. Dialing this number is preferable to consulting a city doctor or to the emergency room of a hospital, to avoid the spread of the virus. The Ministry of Health has set up a toll-free number (0800 130 000) to answer questions from the public .

The Covid-19 coronavirus specific biology test is performed only in the case of suspected disease, validated by the Samu and by a referent infectiologist. The time to get a result is between three and five hours. The diagnostic tests for the new coronavirus are carried out in all the reference health establishments, several thousand can be carried out every day.

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR