The spread of the coronavirus around the world recently has raised concerns about how to maintain our safety and well-being in this time. Apart from the virus itself, there has been a spread of misinformation and a few questions surrounding the dreaded COVID-19.
Here’s what Royal Bahrain Hospital’s Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Sunil J. Rao MD had to say in response to these questions:
1) What are the best practices with regards to disinfecting and cleanliness?
– Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or sanitizer for 10 seconds till it dries.
– Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth especially if you have a cold or flu.
– Avoid kissing on the cheek etc.
– A generally dust-free environment at home helps to keep away from allergies, colds, coughs and other illnesses.
2) Are disinfectant wipes effective as a quick measure when in public and in general?
Though not as good as washing with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer, this may be used if there is no access to the soap or sanitizer.
3) Since schools are currently off, is it advisable that children stay at home for this duration?
Avoid crowded places, staying at home if the child has a cold or flu and wearing a mask is advisable. Contact a health facility on the phone to talk to the nurse or doctor for further instructions, rather than rush to hospitals.
4) Any precautions to be taken when ordering food?
The current public health crisis is not food borne so ordering food should not be a problem
5) Are supplements such as Vitamin C or multivitamins useful for boosting the immunity of children and the elderly at this time?
The influenza vaccination is a definite benefit for children and elderly in these times. The role of multivitamin and vitamin C is not definite, but is highly advisable for the elderly with multiple comorbidities such as heart disease, asthma , diabetes etc.
